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EmpowerCF 2026 – Annual Conference for Empowering Community Foundations

Location

The Park Event Center
500 Division Street
Waite Park, MN 56387 United States

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Organizer Info

CommunityGiving


Event Overview

***Online registration is now closed. If you'd like to attend, please call (877) 253-4380. **** Join us for education, networking and inspiration focused on community foundations! Staff and board members alike will learn how a community foundation can influence positive change and strengthen your community through philanthropy.

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Event Details

Community foundations play a unique role in their communities and the work is constantly evolving. This conference brings together board members, staff, and volunteers from small to mid-sized foundations to share ideas, explore practical strategies, and learn from peers facing many of the same opportunities and challenges. You’ll leave with new tools, fresh perspective, and connections that can support your foundation’s work long after the conference ends.

With a full lineup of expert speakers, breakout sessions, and interactive discussions, you’ll gain practical insights and fresh ideas to take back to your organization. Past conferences have included over fifteen breakout sessions, keynote presentations, and numerous networking opportunities. Attendees consistently leave energized, informed, and ready to make a greater impact in their communities.


Registration Details


Individual Registration – $299 

Free for All Current CG Partner Foundation Board and Staff Members.


Accommodations

Hilton Garden Inn St. Cloud || 550 Division Street, Waite Park, MN || 320-640-7990
For the room block, click here or contact the hotel and ask for group code 90C

Residence Inn St. Cloud || 450 Division Street, Waite Park, MN || 320-640-0200


Conference Schedule


Wednesday, April 22nd

11:00am: Registration Opens

12:00pm: Lunch 

12:45pm: Keynote Speaker

2:00-3:00pm: Session Block

3:15-4:15pm: Session Block

4:30-7:00pm: Networking & Happy Hour with Appetizers and Cash Bar

Thursday, April 23rd

7:45-8:30am: Breakfast/Networking

8:30-9:30am: Keynote Speaker

9:45-10:45am: Session Block

11:00am-12:00pm: Session Block

12:00-12:45pm: Lunch/Networking

12:45-1:45pm: Keynote Speaker

2:00-5:00pm: CFLeads Session (Be sure to indicate you are attending this additional educational opportunity during registration)

To view the entire schedule, click here.


Plenary Sessions

 


Breakout Sessions

Sessions that will be offered include the following:

  • Impact Investing: Our Journey from Wall Street to Main Street
  • Looking the Gift Horse in the Mouth: Best Practices for Effective Gift Management
  • Are We Funding Division or Multiplication?
  • Building Capacity of Rural Community Foundations
  • Supporting Individuals: Emergency Assistance Funds

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL OF THE SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL SCHEDULE


CFLeads Session – Thursday, April 23rd – 2:00-5:00pm
This is an additional educational opportunity that follows the EmpowerCF Conference. Please indicate your interest to attend this when you register for the conference. Participants in this session are eligible to receive a travel stipend from CFLeads. More information will be available upon registration.

Building Common Ground: Community Leadership in Action 
Finding common ground to address issues that concern all Minnesotans—from fostering respectful civic engagement to ensuring rural belonging, addressing climate change, and building safe, welcoming and sustainable communities—looms over every challenge we currently face. As catalysts for community leadership, community foundations have concrete tools they can bring to this work, including connecting local priorities to broader frameworks for impact. 
 
Drawing on innovative practices from Minnesota and beyond—including work with the UN Sustainable Development Goals—this interactive session will explore how to use these frameworks as toolkits for building common ground and addressing complex challenges. You’ll hear real examples, engage in peer discussion, and leave with actionable ideas you can adapt to your own context.