Volunteer management conferences provide essential professional development for nonprofit staff and volunteer coordinators, offering opportunities to learn best practices, network with peers, and stay current on volunteer management strategies. The 2026 conference season includes 10+ events essential to check out.
Volunteer management conferences provide opportunities for volunteer leaders to share knowledge, network with peers, and learn best practices that will propel their programs forward.
Use our list to find the best skills-building workshops and conferences—both virtual and in person—of 2026 for volunteer management professionals.
Check each website for information on registration fees, accommodations, sponsorship information, and for a full itinerary and speakers list.
|
Conference |
Date |
Location |
Format |
Best For |
|
Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC) |
March 10-13 |
Detroit, MI |
Hybrid |
Tech-focused volunteer managers |
|
SHVL Annual Conference |
March 12-14 |
Perdido Beach, AL |
In-Person |
Healthcare volunteer leaders |
|
National Summit on Volunteer Engagement |
March 18-20 |
Sacramento, CA |
In-Person |
All volunteer professionals |
|
Engage for Good |
April 21-24 |
Palm Springs, CA |
In-Person |
Corporate partnership builders |
|
AFP ICON |
April 26-28 |
San Diego, CA |
In-Person |
Fundraising volunteer managers |
|
National VOAD Conference |
May 4-7 |
Reno, NV |
In-Person |
Disaster response coordinators |
|
Rooted & Rising |
May 28 |
Virtual |
Virtual |
Equity-focused leaders |
|
Points of Light Conference |
June 22-25 |
Washington, DC |
In-Person |
Employee engagement & CSR |
|
The Bridge Conference |
July 29-31 |
National Harbor, MD |
In-Person |
General nonprofit professionals |
|
RAISE Conference |
Fall (TBA) |
TBD |
In-Person |
Event fundraising coordinators |
|
Service-Learning Conference |
TBA |
St. Paul, MN |
In-Person |
Youth volunteer program leaders |
|
VILT Series |
Multiple 4-day sessions |
Virtual |
Virtual |
New & experienced managers |
When: April 21-24, 2026
Where: Palm Springs, California
Website: Register for #EFG2026
Engage for Good brings together nonprofit and corporate social impact leaders for an annual conference focused on cause marketing, employee engagement, and corporate social responsibility. Attendees access expert sessions, interactive discussions, and industry benchmarking data.
This conference is ideal for volunteer managers seeking corporate partnerships. You'll connect with companies running employee volunteer programs and learn strategies for scaling volunteer initiatives through corporate engagement. While broader than volunteer management alone, the insights on measurement and strategic partnerships directly apply to building stronger volunteer programs.
When: May 28, 20206
Where: Virtual
Website: Rooted & Rising
Rooted & Rising is a one-day virtual conference from Community-Centric Fundraising (presented in partnership with Neon One) focused on community, equity, and collective care. Hosted by movement-centered fundraising practitioners, the event features sessions on the past, present, and future of fundraising in the U.S.
This conference offers a crucial space for nonprofit professionals to gather, reflect, and co-create a more just and inclusive reality for the sector. While centered on fundraising, the principles of community-centric work and equity apply directly to volunteer management practices.
When: July 29-31, 2026
Where: Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center, National Harbor, MD
Website: Bridge Conference
The Bridge Conference brings together nonprofit professionals for a multi-day event at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center just outside Washington, D.C. This conference provides networking opportunities and educational sessions for those working in the nonprofit sector—and has historically been a robust event with sessions ranging from using AI and direct mail to exporations in faith-based fundraising.
When: Fall 2026 (dates TBA)
Where: TBD
Website: RAISE
Hosted by OneCause, the Raise Conference is a two-day gathering for fundraisers and nonprofit leaders focused on event-based fundraising. The conference provides practical strategies and tools designed to help organizations increase their impact through better event execution.
Recent programming has featured over 40 sessions across four key areas: fundraising strategy & donor engagement; event, peer-to-peer & auction fundraising; storytelling, brand & marketing; and leadership, operations & DEI.
When: June 22-25, 2026
Where: Washington, DC
Website: Social Impact Conference
The Points of Light Conference brings together purpose-driven companies, nonprofit leaders, and civic innovators for a multi-day event focused on social impact, employee engagement, and volunteer leadership. This conference addresses the complex challenges mission-driven professionals face in meeting stakeholder and community needs.
Attendees gain access to tools, insights, and connections designed to help them navigate change and lead with purpose in an evolving landscape. For volunteer managers, this conference offers direct relevance—from sessions on volunteer leadership development to strategies for building employee volunteer programs and corporate partnerships.
When: March 10-13, 2026
Where: Detroit, Michigan and virtually
Website: Nonprofit Technology Conference
NTEN's Nonprofit Technology Conference is the annual gathering for professionals committed to using technology skillfully and equitably for social change. The conference welcomes attendees at all experience levels, including nonprofit staff, volunteers, board members, funders, consultants, and tech providers.
Sessions range from workshops to expert panels and strategic discussions, all led by nonprofit practitioners testing and improving technology practices in their organizations. Attendees learn essential nonprofit technology best practices while building connections with peers, mentors, and potential partners.
When: April 26-28, 2026
Where: San Diego
Website: Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) International Conference
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) International Conference is the world's largest gathering of fundraising professionals. Programming covers volunteer fundraisers, board engagement, donor stewardship, and community mobilization.
For volunteer managers who work with fundraising volunteers, special event teams, or board members, the conference offers relevant sessions on volunteer ambassador programs, peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, capital campaign volunteers, and recognition strategies.
When: May 4-7, 2026
Where: The Peppermill Reno, NV
Website: National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) Conference
The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) Conference brings together disaster response organizations, emergency management professionals, and volunteer coordinators who manage volunteers during emergencies.
This specialized conference addresses volunteer management in crisis situations, covering topics like volunteer reception centers, credentialing systems, convergent volunteers, disaster volunteer training, safety protocols, and psychological first aid.
When: March 12 - 14, 2026
Where: Perdido Beach, AL
Website: 2026 SHVL Annual Conference
The Society for Healthcare Volunteer Leaders (SHVL) Annual Education Conference brings together healthcare volunteer management professionals from across the country for three days of learning and connection. Now in its 33rd year, this conference serves both volunteer managers and active volunteers in healthcare settings.
For volunteer managers working in hospitals, clinics, hospice care, or other healthcare organizations, this specialized conference addresses the unique challenges and regulations of managing volunteers in medical environments.
When: TBA
Where: St. Paul, MN
Website: National Service-Learning Conference
Sponsored by the National Youth Leadership Council, this national conference provides leadership development training for service-learning professionals from across the United States and beyond. The event brings together educators, nonprofit leaders, students, and community visionaries to explore how intentional actions can drive meaningful impact and advance equity.
Recent themes have focused on intention, impact, and equity in service-learning contexts. For volunteer managers working with youth volunteers, student service programs, or educational partnerships, this conference offers valuable insights into engaging young volunteers and creating meaningful service experiences that benefit both participants and communities.
When: Multiple sessions (4 days each)
Where: Virtual
Website: Earn Your Certificate in Volunteer Impact Leadership!
MAVA's Volunteer Impact Leadership Training (VILT) Series offers practical training on universal volunteer management topics. The program provides tools to ensure volunteer programs support organizational missions, expand impact and outreach, and prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Designed for both newcomers to volunteer leadership and experienced professionals looking to deepen their knowledge, VILT is facilitated by active practitioners who lead volunteers daily and share their expertise with peers. The series addresses foundational and advanced volunteer management concepts in an accessible, virtual format spread across multiple four-day sessions throughout the year.
When: March 18-20, 2026
Where: Sacramento, California
Website: National Summit on Volunteer Engagement
The National Summit on Volunteer Engagement brings together nonprofit, government, and corporate professionals working in volunteerism and service for three days of inspiration, innovation, and connection. The summit is designed to ignite passion, unlock potential, and help attendees connect with peers across the volunteer engagement field.
Do you have a conference you’d like us to add to our list? Contact us!
Volunteer management conferences are professional development events designed for nonprofit staff and volunteer leaders to strengthen their skills in recruiting, training, engaging, and managing volunteers.
These gatherings often feature educational sessions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities where practitioners share proven strategies and real-world solutions to common volunteer program challenges.
Attending conferences helps you connect with peers who genuinely understand volunteer management challenges while learning strategies that have worked in other organizations.
In doing so, you'll build professional relationships that extend far beyond the event itself, creating a network you can turn to when facing retention issues, board engagement questions, or program design decisions.
Conference registration generally ranges from a few hundred dollars for virtual or single-day events to over $1,000 for multi-day in-person conferences, though these fees don't include travel and lodging expenses.
However, most events offer early-bird pricing that can save 20-30% if you register in advance, along with discounted rates for nonprofit organizations. Many conferences also provide scholarships, group registration discounts, or payment plans to make attendance more feasible, so it's worth checking their website or reaching out directly about financial assistance.
Start by reviewing the full agenda to confirm the sessions address your specific challenges, whether you're struggling with volunteer recruitment, looking to improve retention, need better technology solutions, or want to serve specialized populations more effectively.
Then evaluate practical factors like whether the dates work with your schedule, if you can manage the total cost including travel, and whether a virtual option exists if you can't attend in person.
Success starts with preparation—review the agenda beforehand to identify must-attend sessions while leaving room for spontaneous opportunities. Once you arrive, make connecting with people a priority since the relationships you build during meals and hallway conversations often become more valuable than any formal session.