Show Me Generosity
July 13-16 | Kansas City
The Giving Institute Summer Symposium is designed for leaders who don’t need a primer—they need perspective. Show Me Generosity challenges our members to interrogate what we think we know, expand how we operate, and commit to what comes next for our sector.
While the full program is still being finalized, the structure below reflects the rigor, candor, and forward-thinking dialogue you can expect.
Welcome Reception
Monday, July 13, Evening
Reconnect with peers and set the stage for an immersive few days of candid conversation and high-level exchange.
Details forthcoming.
Subtheme 1: Confront
Tuesday, July 14, Morning
We begin by challenging assumptions.
This is not a review of familiar data—it’s a critical examination of it. Confront invites bold voices to interrogate what the numbers really mean, question long-held beliefs, and surface tensions within our field. Expect debate, discomfort, and divergent perspectives.
If everyone agrees, we haven’t gone far enough.
Subtheme 2: Explore
Tuesday, July 14 Tuesday, Afternoon and Wednesday, July 15, Morning
From insight to implication.
Building on the friction created in Confront, Explore turns to action:
- What must change in how we advise clients?
- How should our services evolve?
- What new approaches to talent, structure, and strategy are required?
Sessions will introduce perspectives from beyond our traditional circles, pushing members to rethink not just what we do—but how we do it.
Evening Experience: National WWI Museum and Memorial
Tuesday, July 14
Join us for a private evening at one of the nation’s most powerful historical institutions.
The National WWI Museum and Memorial stands as a testament to sacrifice, resilience, and collective responsibility—values deeply connected to the spirit of generosity. As we gather for dinner and guided exploration, we’ll reflect on how moments of global challenge have historically called forth profound acts of giving, and what that means for our work today.
Subtheme 3: Commit
Wednesday, July 15, Afternoon and Thursday, July 16, Morning
Turning ideas into action.
Commit is where the Symposium becomes tangible. Members will break into sector groups—consulting, technology, and agencies/specialists—to define what their organizations can actually do next.
These are not abstract takeaways. They are commitments:
- Documented
- Shared with peers
- Contributed to the Generosity Committee
The goal is collective momentum—ensuring that individual firm actions contribute to something far larger than any one organization.
Thursday, July 16
Giving Institute Board Meeting
Giving USA Foundation Board Meeting
Why Attend Now?
This year’s Symposium is intentionally designed as a working session for industry leaders—one that prioritizes candor over comfort and action over theory. While specific speakers and sessions are still being finalized, the framework ensures a high-level, thought-provoking experience that goes well beyond “fundraising 101.”
If you’re ready to challenge assumptions, rethink your approach, and help shape the future of generosity—this is where that work begins.
Location: Kansas City, MO
Hotel: Marriott Downtown Kansas City
Address: 200 West 12th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64105