November 6-7, 2025
Westin River North Hotel
Chicago, IL
PLEASE READ: NEW INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGISTRATION
Per the July 2025 Board approved resolution,
- One Voting Director (or designate if Voting Director is unable to attend) from each member current firm (as named by each firm) can register for the November and March meetings at no charge. Please use the code Voting25 at checkout.
- Additional registrants from the same member firm will be charged $500 per person to help cover hotel meeting space and food & beverage expenses incurred by the Giving Institute.
- All registrants that attend the offsite dinner event must purchase a ticket during the registration process. This event is currently being organized. We will communicate to all registrants when it is ready for purchase.
Hotel Update:
The discounted group rate at the Westin River North has now closed, but rooms may still be available at the hotel’s current rates. We encourage attendees to contact the hotel directly to check availability and book accommodations.
Thursday, November 6, 2025 |
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Breakfast and Networking Location: Riverfront Room |
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8:30am – 9:00am |
Welcome Facilitators: Paul Koreen, GI Chair. Johnny Cooper, & Matt Beem Location: Astor Ballroom |
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9:00am – 9:45am |
Keynote: AI: Curiosity Code: Building a Culture of Curiosity to Thrive in the AI Era Facilitator: Nathan Chappell, Virtuous Location: Astor Ballroom |
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Panel: Bias in AI/How GI Members are Using AI Location: Astor Ballroom |
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10:30am – 10:45am |
Break |
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10:45am – 11:15am |
Roundtable #1: Table 1: How members are using AI Table 2: Bias in AI Table 3: How to overcome clients/customers using AI in place of humans Table 4: Ethical use of AI Location: Astor Ballroom |
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11:20am – 11:50am |
Roundtable #2: Table 1: How members are using AI Table 2: Bias in AI Table 3: How to overcome clients/customers using AI in place of humans Table 4: Ethical use of AI Location: Astor Ballroom |
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11:50am – 12:00pm |
Reflective Exercise Facilitator: Johnny Cooper Location: Astor Ballroom |
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Lunch and Networking Location: Riverfront Room |
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1:00pm – 1:45pm |
GI Global Philanthropy Fellowship Action Plan Facilitator: Dana R.H. Doan Location: Astor Ballroom |
| 1:45pm – 2:45pm | Fireside Chat: Complexity of Today’s Fundraising Environment Facilitator: Andrea Saenz, Chicago Community Trust Location: Astor Ballroom |
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2:45pm – 3:00pm |
Break |
| 3:00pm – 3:30pm |
Panel: Where You See Current Issues/Challenges Impacting Your Business Facilitators: Kate Mar, Greater Chicago Food Depository Location: Astor Ballroom |
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3:30pm – 4:00pm |
Roundtable #1: Table 1: Business operations impact (continued from panel) Table 2: How have you adapted your work with clients/customers (external) Table 3: How have you adapted your business operations (internal) Table 4: TBD Table 5: TBD Location: Astor Ballroom |
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4:05pm – 4:35pm |
Roundtable #2: Table 1: Business operations impact (continued from panel) Table 2: How have you adapted your work with clients/customers (external) Table 3: How have you adapted your business operations (internal) Table 4: TBD Table 5: TBD Location: Astor Ballroom |
| 4:35pm – 4:45pm |
Wrap up and Reflection Facilitators: Matt Beem, Johnny Cooper Location: Astor Ballroom |
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Offsite Dinner Location: Weber Grill |
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Breakfast and Networking Location: Riverfront Room |
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Welcome Facilitators: Johnny Cooper, & Matt Beem Location: Astor Ballroom |
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8:35am – 9:35am |
Lightning Rounds Finances of a Consulting Firm: How to Successfully Manage a Growing Enterprise Trust is the Feature: The Real Challenge of AI in Fundraising When the News Breaks: Rapid Response in an Unstable Funding Landscape Solving Problems at Scale: Investing in Philanthropy New Tax Laws Sow Confusion – Focus on Client Needs Location: Astor Ballroom |
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9:35am – 9:55am |
Takeaways, lessons learned, action items = the reflective time Location: Astor Ballroom |
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9:55am – 10:00am |
Closing Remarks Location: Astor Ballroom |
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10:00am – 10:45am |
GUSA Board Meeting All GI members are welcome to attend. Only GUSA Board members can vote. Location: Astor Ballroom |
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11:00am – 11:45am |
GI Board Meeting All GI members are welcome to attend. Only GI Voting Directors can vote. Location: Astor Ballroom |