Creating Change 2016 is around the corner! Hundreds of LGBTQ activists are due to arrive in Chicago next week for this annual national conference for LGBTQ leaders. Many funders will join them, including several staff, board members, and members of Funders for LGBTQ Issues.

For movement leaders and funders, Creating Change presents an important opportunity to learn together, connect, collaborate, and share strategies for building a stronger LGBTQ movement.

To help you get the most out of your time at the conference, we’ve compiled a list of the sessions that focus specifically on philanthropy, fundraising and financial management this year. Below you’ll find our short guide to these sessions, as well as those that feature Funders for LGBTQ Issues’ members, board, staff and partners.

We hope you’ll join us for our Friday morning session, “Fundraising from Foundations: An Update on the Field of LGBTQ Philanthropy” that will provide a helpful overview of what’s been happening and what to expect in LGBTQ philanthropy, and our Saturday evening session, “Money for the Midwest: The State of LGBTQ Funding for Midwestern LGBTQ Communities” that will look at LGBTQ funding trends, gaps and opportunities within the Midwest. Both sessions are open to newcomers and longtime movement leaders alike. There will be opportunity for organizations to talk face to face with leading funders in LGBTQ philanthropy.

The events in the Philanthropy and Fundraising Track include:

Join the Arcus Foundation for a hot breakfast and presentation to learn more about the Global Trans Initiative, a five-year initiative to provide grants and philanthropic resources totaling at least $20 million dollars to transgender activists and organizations worldwide. Staff from the foundation will provide an overview about the initiative, discuss funding opportunities, and answer questions among themselves. Presented by Funders for LGBTQ Issues member, the Arcus Foundation. 8:00am

Fundraising from Foundations: An Update on the Field of LGBTQ Philanthropy

This session will dive deep into trends, gaps, and opportunities in LGBTQ foundation funding. Presenters from Funders for LGBTQ Issues will share data on the state of foundation funding benefiting LGBTQ communities and analyze trends in funding for trans communities, health, religious exemptions, and funding for the Midwest and the South. Additionally, a panel of funders will share perspectives on gaps and opportunities in LGBTQ philanthropy. Finally, participants will have small group discussions with funders to explore opportunities particular to their work. Presenters include Ben Francisco Maulbeck, Funders for LGBTQ Issues, and Funders for LGBTQ Issues board members Cindy Rizzo (Arcus Foundation) and Gabriel Foster (Trans Justice Funding Project). 9:00am – 12:15pm

The Art of Asking for Money at Your Event

It’s time to get those donations rolling for your great work! The special appeal is your biggest opportunity to raise funds the day of your event. Do you have a strategy in place for how to execute this crucial moment? In this session we will take a look at the essential components of an effective appeal and delve into how to tell a compelling story to connect donors to your work in a way that will encourage them to give. Let’s make giving fun! 9:00am – 10:30am

Creating and Sustaining Queer Families of Color in Times of #BlackLivesMatter and #Not1More

With the organizing work of #BlackLivesMatter and #Not1More, queer communities are being impacted by anti-Black racism, deportations and xenophobia. How then do we continue to make families and choose to bring children into this world? This panel will be a dialogue on the ways queer families engage in conversation on racial and reproductive justice. Of particular importance is the ways we sustain our families during a time of heightened racial injustice and how we sustain ourselves as parents and community members. Presenters include Maria De La Cruz, Headwaters Foundation. 9:00am – 12:15pm

Super Heroes and Heroines for Truth, Transformation and Access Surviving and Thriving

For LGBTGNC people of color surviving and thriving requires access to health, wellness and social, economic and racial justice. However, because of the ways in which homophobia and transphobia are intertwined with Corporate, State and Non Profit services, systemic barriers often block access to even the most basic necessities. This workshop will explore ways we are transforming and/or retelling our own stories and claiming our own practices and traditions to build a path towards our collective wellbeing. Presenters include Funders for LGBTQ Issues board member, Gabriel Foster of the Trans Justice Funding Project. 4:45pm – 6:15pm

Invisible No More: The Global Intersex Rights Movement

Join the Arcus Foundation for a special Arcus Forum at Creating Change. Hear a discussion among intersex activists from Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America to explore this growing human rights movement, including current challenges that face advocacy efforts as well as developments that are driving increased awareness and support for intersex issues worldwide. Reception to follow. This event is produced by Funders for LGBTQ Issues member, the Arcus Foundation. 6:30pm

David Bohnett CyberCenter Reception

Join our fun and casual reception to chat about the David Bohnett CyberCenters – there are over 60 at LGBT Centers from coast to coast. This event is for LGBT Community Center leaders who already host David Bohnett CyberCenter or for LGBT Community Center leaders who want to learn more. Sponsored by Funders for LGBTQ Issues member the David Bohnett Foundation. Paris Room at the Brasserie by LM, (Inside the Essex Inn, across the street from the Hilton). 7:30pm – 9:00pm

“If you are afraid to ask for money, kick yourself out of the way and let the cause talk!” This engaging coaching session will benefit anyone who wants to become a more effective fundraiser. You do not have to be in development to attend. This is a session that development staff and board members could attend together. 10:45am – 12:15pm

Mind the Gap: Next Stop HIV

Leo Moore, MD, University of California, Los Angeles; Phill Wilson, Executive Director, Black AIDS Institute. Sponsored by Funders for LGBTQ Issues member Gilead. Lunch Service at 12:30 PM; Plenary Presentation Follows Lunch

People of Color & Indigenous Traditions to Resource Our Collective Survival & Resiliency People of Color

This workshop is for People of Color and Indigenous communities to explore concepts of wealth, worthiness, and collective wellbeing inside of white supremacy and the racial/gender wealth divide gap. What are our experiences and relationships to giving and fundraising as people of color within the conditions of white supremacy? Join us for discussion, storytelling, and games as we map our traditions of giving, share current strategies, and lessons learned within our communities and movements. Presenters include Naa Hammond, Funder for LGBTQ Issues. 3:00pm – 4:30pm

Finances for Small Organizations: Locating Yourself and Building Capacity Organizational Development

Are you the financial officer of your small organization? Are you your WHOLE organization? Come learn more about how we measure the financial health of movement organizations and the Top Five Things Small Orgs Need to Know About Finances. 3:00pm – 4:30pm

Give OUT Day 2016: Strategic Ways to Grow Your Organization Fundraising

In the past three years Give OUT Day, the only national day of LGBTQ giving, has raised nearly $2.5 million supporting hundreds of LGBTQ organizations. The 4th annual Give OUT Day takes place May 19, 2016 and is a key fundraising opportunity to acquire new donors and raise money. This session will provide background about how your organization can participate and best practices to utilize Give OUT Day to bring the greatest value to your organization. 4:45pm – 6:15pm

Money for the Midwest?: LGBTQ Funding for Midwestern LGBTQ Communities Fundraising

This session will explore the scope and character of foundation funding for LGBTQ issues in the Midwest. Funders for LGBTQ Issues will reveal where funding is coming from, what it’s supporting, and where there might be opportunities to increase support for Midwestern LGBTQ communities. Following the presentation of data, two Midwesterners familiar with the local philanthropic landscape will respond with their thoughts on how best to bridge funding gaps and take advantage of emerging opportunities. Presenters will include Lyle Matthew Kan, Funders for LGBTQ Issues and Funders for LGBTQ Issues member Trina Olson, PFund. 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Third Wave Fund Chicago Reception

It may be windy & cold outside, but 2016 is heating up for Third Wave Fund! Join us to hear about what we’ve been up to this past year supporting & funding gender justice activism! Hear from current & former grantees and Third Wave staff & board about the impact & importance of gender justice grantmaking. Whether you’re a grantee, a funder, a loyal supporter, a hopeful grant applicant, or a new friend, we hope you can join us to celebrate the success of our rapid response Mobilize Power Fund, learn about our multi-year Grow Power Fund, and meet our new Program Officer Joy Messinger. Sponsored by Funders for LGBTQ Issues member Third Wave Fund. Brasserie by LM, (Inside the Essex Inn, across the street from the Hilton). 7:30pm – 9:00pm