The Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy (CNP) recently held its inaugural Nonprofit BRIDGE Conference on February 26th and 27th. This highly anticipated event brought together over one hundred professionals representing nonprofit and for-profit organizations, local and city governments, and academic institutions. The Nonprofit BRIDGE Conference featured a robust schedule of activities designed to Build Relationships, Innovate, Discover, and Get Engaged.
The conference fostered collaboration and shared knowledge through an opening session, panel discussion, round table discussions, and a keynote session, providing attendees with a diverse range of perspectives and insights. Prior to the welcome reception, the Onestar Foundation held its first joint network meeting since 2020. Around 30 members of various groups, such as the Texas Nonprofit Council, Academic Affinity Group, and similar, attended. Additionally, CNP held its first meeting with the newly established CNP Faculty Fellows. The joint network meeting and CNP Faculty Fellows meeting set the stage for the conference’s focus on fostering relationships.
The impressive representation of organizations at the conference is worth noting, with 16 universities, 53 nonprofit organizations, and six for-profit or public organizations in attendance. This diverse turnout allowed conference attendees to exchange valuable insights and develop new perspectives. In turn, one of the highlights of the conference was the round table discussion on various topics facilitated by ten table captains. The table topics included Nonprofit and University Collaboration, Innovation and Change, Data and Evaluation, Building Texas’ Nonprofit Sector, and Volunteerism and Philanthropy. This interactive session allowed participants to engage in meaningful conversations, share best practices, and explore innovative ideas.
The panel discussion was another noteworthy aspect of the Nonprofit BRIDGE Conference. The panel consisted of esteemed academics and representatives from prominent nonprofit organizations throughout Texas who spoke about the impact of collaborating. Collaborations included Chris Bugbee from the Onestar Foundation working with Dr. Kenneth Taylor from CNP, Dr. Elizabeth Searing from UT Dallas working with the Fairview Youth Foundation, Dr. Hanji Mao and Dr. David Branham from the University of Houston-Downtown working with Brian Greene from the Houston Food Bank, and Dr. Karabi Bezboruah and Dr. Emily Nwakpuda from the University of Texas at Arlington working with Angela Peña from Levitt Pavilion Arlington. The panelists’ expertise and experiences with cross-sector collaborations provided meaningful insight into what a cross-sector collaboration consisted of and added depth and richness to the conference agenda.
The Keynote session, Volunteering: The Gateway to Giving, provided necessary data and perspective on volunteerism and its role in philanthropy. Two committed and knowledgeable representatives from Bank of America delivered the inspiring Keynote address: the Managing Director, President-Dallas, and Head of Philanthropic Solutions, Jennifer Chandler, and Senior Vice President and Philanthropic Strategist, Dr. Marguerite Stoglin.
According to feedback shared from BRIDGE participants, attendees enjoyed the numerous networking opportunities and the roundtable discussions. The University and Nonprofit Collaborations panel session was valued and relevant to organizations’ activity and programs. Additionally, ninety-five percent of survey respondents noted making new or meaningful connections at the conference. Ninety percent of respondents learned to navigate university and nonprofit collaborations better, and one hundred percent of respondents agreed that they would recommend the BRIDGE Conference to their friends and colleagues.
The Nonprofit BRIDGE Conference would not have been possible without the support of its sponsor, Bank of America. The conference also received support from the Onestar Foundation and Vacanva Photography, who provided headshots for attendees. A special thanks is extended to the round table captains and panelists who shared unique insights and knowledge with attendees. The commitment and dedication of the CNP team members and the support of sponsors and partners contributed to the success of the inaugural Nonprofit BRIDGE Conference. Together, the team created a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration within the nonprofit sector.
In conclusion, the Nonprofit BRIDGE Conference brought professionals together from various sectors to foster collaboration, innovation, and engagement in the nonprofit community.
“The BRIDGE conference accomplished exactly what we set out to do, showcasing the incredible work being done across the state of Texas by nonprofit organizations and university scholars. Attendees were not only able to learn about best practices of cross-sector collaborations but, were also able to freely share knowledge and critical concepts required for the success of future applied projects.
Dr. Kenneth Taylor
Our hope is for participants to have left the conference feeling motivated and inspired to continue the good fight and solve the most critical issues our communities face.”
With the compelling panel discussion, interactive and engaging round table discussions, and the inspiring keynote address, the conference equipped attendees with new ideas to drive positive change in their communities and the nonprofit sector. The Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy is proud of the impact made at the Nonprofit BRIDGE Conference. We encourage attendees and guests to attend the Texas Nonprofit Summit next spring, hosted by our friends at the Onestar Foundation, in addition to future BRIDGE Conferences.
To learn more about the Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy and our programs, please visit: https://bush.tamu.edu/nonprofit/
