2025 CalNonprofits Annual Policy Conference

The California Endowment sign in front of the building.

The CalNonprofits Annual Policy Conference 2025 will be held in Los Angeles on November 5 at The California Endowment. The topics are on point, and the speaker list is very impressive. I’m honored to be teaming with Rosemary Fei (Principal, Adler & Colvin) and Neil Chase (CEO, CalMatters) for the keynote. I hope many of our readers will join us at this critically important time. Register here.

We rallied against federal funding cuts. We stood our ground in our commitment to supporting marginalized communities. We pushed back – and won – against many harmful tax policies. Nonprofits have faced an unprecedented barrage of attacks and challenges this year.

And yet together we remain United. Fearless. Powerful.

Please join us in Los Angeles for the 2025 CalNonprofits Policy Conference. In a year as tumultuous as 2025 has been, it’s more urgent than ever for us to gather in this pivotal moment – to reflect, strategize, and build power. We’ll hear from national and state leaders on the frontlines of policy and advocacy, including Diane Yentel of National Council of Nonprofits and Akilah Watkins of Independent Sector. Along with nonprofit champions in California like Assemblymember Gregg Hart and Senator Monique Limón, the recently named President Pro Tempore Designee of the California State Senate.

Now more than ever, our collective voice matters; let’s use it to defend our communities and shape what comes next.

Register today!

I can’t emphasize or repeat enough the need for nonprofits to collaborate and mobilize their supporters now (if they haven’t fully engaged in these activities already). And it’s not just about defending their missions, values, and visions. It’s about reimagining and building a future in a hostile political and legal landscape. With panels and learning labs covering subjects like those below and a diverse group of nonprofit leaders and champions, this is a conference not to be missed.

Panels:

Political Intel for Nonprofits: 2025 Legislative Re-cap and What’s Next?
Building a Fearless Nonprofit Sector: Resilient Advocacy in Challenging Times
Yes, You Can Lobby! Straight Talk on Nonprofit Advocacy
Health Equity Crisis: Social Safety Net Cuts and Impact on Nonprofits
Building and Retaining the Sector’s Talent Pipeline: Lessons from 2025 Studies
Debate! – Resolution: Increasing the Endowment Tax Promotes Equity

Lightning Learning Labs:

The CBO Medi-Cal Coalition: Effectively Building a New Coalition
Immigrant Legal Defense Center: Rapid Response for Justice
Nonprofits Work PR Campaign: Combating Negative Media

Keynote

I’m looking forward to an intriguing discussion moderated by Neil. I suspect we’ll be discussing the legal landscape, threats and risks (real and perceived), and actions nonprofits should and can take. But we’ll be responsive to whatever may arise. No PowerPoints here.