Call for Papers / Login — 2026 Bridge Conference

Step Into the Spotlight: Submit Your Call for Paper Today

Are you ready to share your expertise, spark new ideas, and help shape the future of fundraising and marketing? The Bridge Conference is built on the power of community—professionals coming together to exchange knowledge, challenge the status quo, and elevate our field. This is your opportunity to showcase the strategies, innovations, and lessons learned that others can take back and apply in their own organizations. Whether you’ve tested bold new approaches, achieved measurable impact, or discovered creative solutions to common challenges, your story can inspire hundreds of your peers. Want to learn more about the Bridge Conference and see last year’s educational offerings? Visit bridgeconf.org

Paper submissions for the 2026 Bridge Conference are now open across eight distinct Educational Divisions:

1. Fundraising and Marketing Breakout Session Tracks (Thursday & Friday, Jul 30 - July 31, respectively)
Attention all trailblazers and visionaries! Your unique insights and experiences can inspire and educate others in our community. We are seeking original content and compelling case studies that showcase remarkable strategies and offer fresh perspectives on key fundraising and marketing topics, including:

• Making your digital message stand out in a crowded digital landscape.
• Innovative strategies for integrating direct mail with digital and social campaigns.
• Success stories in donor retention and improved retention rates.
• Meeting the challenges of donor acquisition.
• Breakthroughs in major gifts fundraising and planned giving.
• Harnessing new technologies and platforms like AI and machine learning
• The critical role of data & analytics.
• Strategies for gaining buy-in from your board and CEO for new initiatives.
• Bridging the gap between "direct marketing" and "fundraising development" for enhanced revenue.
• Sharing valuable lessons learned from your fundraising experiences.
• New recommendations about creative packages, copywriting, graphics, and colors.

These are just a few of the exciting topics that we believe you, as an expert in your field, can shed light on.

2. Advanced Executive Track (Thursday & Friday, July 30 - July 31, respectively)
This track is for those in fundraising with ten or more years of experience. As a leader, are you following your organization’s strategic plan? Do you have a relevant strategic plan for today and the future? Are you keeping up with the best practices to ensure the sustainability of your organization? How well are your development departments and marketing departments communicating? What tools are being used to build the culture in your organization? Share your leadership experience!

3. Pre-Conference Workshops (Wednesday, July 29)
Unlock your potential as a workshop leader at our full-day Pre-Conference Workshop! Running from 10 am to 4 pm on Wednesday, July 29, our workshops cover a diverse range of all-day topics, including but not limited to Digital Strategies, Fundraising Fundamentals (Fundraising 101), Strategic Planning, Sustainer Program Mastery, Grant Writing, and Major Gifts Excellence. If you're passionate about any of these subjects and have expertise to share, we encourage you to submit your workshop proposal. Becoming a workshop leader offers a unique platform to showcase your knowledge and make a lasting impact on our attendees. Join us in shaping an exceptional all-day learning experience—submit your proposal now!

4. BridgeTECH (Wednesday, July 29 dedicated conference and Thursday & Friday, July 30 - July31, respectively)
Dedicated to nonprofit leaders and technologists who play a crucial role in technology. fundraising and marketing investments, BridgeTECH is a full-day conference on Wednesday, July 29, with continuing sessions on Thursday and Friday. Fundraisers and marketers depend on technology experts to drive successful digital fundraising efforts—and this is your opportunity to highlight that partnership. This is not a sales presentation, but rather a collaborative story showcasing how you and a nonprofit organization worked together. Share the tools, strategies, and innovations you implemented, and demonstrate the tangible outcomes achieved for the nonprofit. Attendees will gain new perspectives into how technology can strengthen fundraising results, improve donor engagement, and create lasting impact.

5. Faith & Fundraising (Wednesday, July 29 dedicated conference and Thursday & Friday, July 30 - July 31, respectively)
On Wednesday (July 29), the 4th Annual Faith & Fundraising Forum, dedicated to faith-based fundraisers will be held. It will continue on into the Main Bridge Conference on Thursday and Friday with sessions in the Faith & Fundraising track – giving faith-based fundraisers a comprehensive, intense series of dedicated sessions. Faith-based fundraisers face unique challenges and we are seeking sessions that explore those challenges. From finding ways to reach young audiences - or even new audiences, to society-wide diminishing affiliation with religious institutions, from deciding whether or not to lean into faith-based messaging to being behind in adopting new innovations in fundraising, to much more. What are the concerns you see that are unique to the faith-based organizations, how are they addressing those challenges, and what does the future look like for their missions and their fundraising? Share your expertise, insights, and inspiration.

6. Political/Advocacy Track (Thursday & Friday, July 30 - July 31, respectively)
Embrace the opportunity to be a part of the political discourse at our conference! We're inviting passionate individuals with a keen interest in the intersection of politics and fundraising to submit their papers for consideration. Share your insights, research, and experiences in the political or advocacy fundraising arena. Whether you've uncovered innovative strategies, tackled challenges head-on, or have compelling case studies to present, your contribution can shape the political/advocacy track of our conference. Help us explore the dynamic world of political fundraising, engage with fellow experts, and inspire meaningful conversations.

7. International Track (Thursday & Friday, July 30 - July 31, respectively)
The International Track offers a unique opportunity to delve into global strategies and trends shaping marketing and fundraising. Attendees will gain valuable insights into successful international campaigns, cross-border challenges, and cutting-edge digital innovations that enhance donor engagement across diverse regions. Experts will present case studies on adapting messaging for cultural relevance, navigating international regulations, and leveraging global networks for impactful fundraising. This track provides a phenomenal chance to learn from international counterparts, discover strategies applicable domestically, and equip U.S. nonprofit professionals with the tools to expand their global reach and foster meaningful connections in the worldwide nonprofit and marketing landscape.

8. Fireside Chats (Thursday & Friday, July 30 – July 31, respectively)
Step into a small-group conversation designed to spark honest dialogue, practical learning, and peer exchange. These “Fireside Chats” provide a unique setting for attendees to connect directly with thought leaders and colleagues around timely issues and shared challenges. Fireside Chats will explore hot-button topics in a conversational format. Rather than formal presentations, these sessions encourage open dialogue, audience questions, and shared storytelling.

Sample topics may include: • Integrating marketing and fundraising teams for greater impact • Navigating the rise of AI and emerging technologies in nonprofit work • Unlocking data and analytics to drive smarter strategy • Building organizational buy-in for bold new initiatives • Lessons learned from donor retention, acquisition, and engagement efforts

Each Fireside Chat will run as a 30- to 60-minute discussion facilitated by a moderator, with 1–2 experts guiding the conversation, depending on the final format decision. Attendees will walk away with actionable insights, peer-driven solutions, and new connections that continue beyond the conference.

Additional Guidance:
Before you embark on the submission process, please note: character counts, speaker caps, and submission limits will be strictly enforced. Be sure to review these requirements before drafting your session.

• A clear and concise title for your presentation.
• A 300-word or less description of your engaging content suitable for a 45-to-60-minute session, ensuring alignment between the title, description, and presentation content to be presented. Craft your description such that it will engage the reviewers – if it doesn’t engage them, it’s unlikely that it would engage the potential attendee. What is compelling about what you want to present? Think of it this way… why would 100-plus Bridge attendees be eager to attend your session.
• Three (3) actionable insights or takeaways that attendees will gain from your presentation.
• To ensure a focused and impactful session, we recommend a maximum of three (3) speakers per session, plus the moderator, allowing for a maximum of (4) contributors. The 60-minute duration of each presentation has been carefully considered, and we believe that exceeding four speakers may compromise the opportunity for each participant to make a meaningful contribution. Kindly be prepared to provide contact information for all speakers to facilitate seamless coordination.

To ensure a diverse and dynamic conference program, agencies and consultants are encouraged to submit a maximum of five (5) papers, featuring no more than four (4) presenters from a single firm throughout the event. To promote a wide range of perspectives, no company should be featured in more than four (4) sessions. Should a company wish to contribute beyond the initial five submissions, an additional fee of $250 per paper over the limit will apply. It's important to note that this fee does not guarantee the selection of the additional submissions, as the selection process remains competitive.

At least one nonprofit representatives is required to present with a for-profit agency The Bridge Conference embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage submissions from people of all backgrounds, including people of color, bilingual and bicultural individuals, women, men, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQI individuals. We value the richness that diverse perspectives bring to our sector.

Submit Your Call for Paper
To initiate the submission process, click "JOIN NOW" to create an account and begin your first submission. You will be guided through the steps. Should you require any assistance, please reach out to support@gocadmium.com or call 410-638-9239, Monday through Friday, between 9 am and 9 pm ET, for immediate assistance.