2023 GPNP Summit: Transformative Leadership, Partnership, and Co-creation

The Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership (GPNP) biennial Summit offers an opportunity to connect 1,000+ attendees with pertinent resources; identify and develop cross-sectoral strategies for nonprofit organizations, local businesses, and the public sector; and empower individuals as well as organizations to collaborate, advocate, and act. This year’s Summit will be in-person at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on November 9th and 10. Our focus will be on celebrating and elevating our region’s existing transformative leaders and collaborative partnerships, while sparking innovative solutions for co-creating an equitable future. 

The 2021 Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership (GPNP) Summit offered an opportunity to connect 700+ attendees with pertinent resources; identify and develop cross-sectoral strategies for nonprofit organizations, local businesses, and the public sector; and empower people to collaborate, advocate, and act.

“I thought I understood the value of networking, and then I attended the GPNP summit and learned the true value of networking. I thought I understood the value of continuing professional development and education, and then I joined GPNP and learned the true value of continued learning. I didn’t think I could be inspired by nonprofit speakers, and then I attended GPNP events and summit and became inspired.”

John Denny

Principal, Denny Civic Solutions

FAQs

What is the event format?

All presentations will be held in-person on November 9th and 10th of 2023 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh. On the 9th, we will be hosting plenaries and workshops as well as an awards ceremony highlighting the work of the region’s nonprofits and partners via a donor engagement reception. The 10th will consist of over 50 workshops and sessions, opportunities to network and recharge, and exhibits from regional artists and sponsors. The festivities on the 10th will culminate in this year’s Innovation Awards hosted in partnership with XchangePgh.

Attendees will be supported by an event app to navigate the opportunities available.

Who should attend the 2023 Summit or respond to the RFP?
  • Nonprofit leaders and staff (discounted fees for GPNP Members!)
  • Hospitals
  • Public officials – elected, appointed, and from regulatory agencies
  • Corporations and for-profit organizations
  • Fellows 
  • Media
  • Community organizations
  • Funders
  • Vendors
  • Universities
  • Partners
  • Students (discounted fees for students!)
    What are the expected outcomes for attendees at the 2023 GPNP Summit?
    • Learn how to create strategic collaborations that increase organizational capacity and focus on addressing pressing social issues in southwestern Pennsylvania, including those that concern the Social Determinants of Health and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
      • Build relationships with elected officials and other cross-sector partners to improve the nonprofit sector’s advocacy presence and capacity to collaborate
      • Understand how to measure success based on strategy, collaboration, and collection of data
      • Begin to formulate your plan to increase your organization’s capacity to serve your community through strategic collaboration and resource optimization
      Can you tell me more about this year's theme?

      2023 GPNP Summit: Transformative Leadership, Partnership, and Co-creation will focus on celebrating and elevating our region’s existing transformative leaders and collaborative partnerships while sparking conversations centering on innovative solutions for how we co-create an equitable future.

      • Leadership: transformative leadership throughout the region including individuals of influence, thought partners, and organizations leading the charge in their area of work and providing guidance to emerging leaders looking to make a positive impact. Sessions submitted in this track should include key business and operational practices that embody equity and allow leaders the capacity to be visionary and set themselves and their organizations up for success. 
      • Partnership: collaborations and work within the nonprofit sector that encourage holistic human and organizational alignment and community building and provide resources for sustainable, trust-based, and equitable partnerships with other nonprofit organizations (faith-based, direct service, advocacy) and those we serve long-term. Sessions submitted in this track should reference best practices and definitions of success for existing or planned partnerships with reference to the building and learning process, equity, wins, and unanticipated outcomes. 
      • Co-creation and Innovation: modeling, teaching, and/or activating the co-creation of innovative solutions that center lived experiences, equity, data-driven activities, and cross-sector collaboration to move the sector and region forward with a shared vision. Sessions submitted in this track should reference the work being co-created beyond the nonprofit sector with support from technology and innovation, the private sector, funders, arts and culture, and elected officials.
      How can I nominate a nonprofit or community leader for recognition?

      Please help us highlight and thank amazing nonprofits and leaders by nominating those who have demonstrated a commitment to social justice, equity, and impact. Nominees will be honored and awarded at a ceremony the evening before the sessions as a kick-off to the Summit! See the nomination form at the top of this page.

      What will the 2023 GPNP Summit audience consist of and can you provide more of the history behind it?

      GPNP is a growing coalition of over 500 organizations serving the 10-county Southwestern PA region. Our biennial Summit brings together more than 700 people across nonprofit, business, and public sectors. In 2023, we will be designing activities at the Summit to encourage collaboration and innovation between attendees. Our goal is to get 1000+ attendees from throughout the region and beyond. Will you join us?! Fill out this interest form to stay up-to-date on Summit planning and updates specific to how you would like to be involved.

      In 2021, the three-day hybrid Summit provided a platform for speakers, learners, community members, and sponsors to share, celebrate, and co-create the amazing work that nonprofits and our partners contribute to building a just region for all. By fostering opportunities for ongoing connection, we challenge attendees to collaborate with presenters, speakers, and each other to imagine how successes and lessons learned can be used to build effective local and regional solutions to complex challenges. Follow @thegpnp on Instagram to see clips from the past Summit to get an idea of what to expect as an audience member!

      Are there scholarships available if I can't afford the Summit?

      Yes! As soon as registration is open (estimated July 2023), we will make applications available for a scholarship pool, as well. This is possible through the support of generous sponsors.

      Past and Present Sponsors

      INNOVATOR

      Corporate sponsor logo: UPMC

      CO-CREATOR

      Grable Foundation is a Co-Creator sponsor of the GPNP Summit

      VISIONARY

      Pittsburgh Foundation
      Heinz Endowments

      TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER

      Highmark BCBS & Allegheny Health Network
      Henry L. Hillman Foundation

      COLLABORATOR

      Lattus: mentoring platform
      Gateway Health - it's wholecare - logo
      Eden Hall Foundation
      W.I. Patterson Charitable Fund

      PARTNER

      Pressley Ridge
      Stauton Farm Foundation
      AARP Pittsburgh
      PACE Pittsburgh
      First National Bank logo
      University of Pittsburgh - GSPIA
      Community Foundation of Westmoreland County
      McAuley Ministries

      CATALYST

      United Way of SW PA
      YWCA Greater Pittsburgh
      University of Pittsburgh - School of Social Work
      Sisterson logo
      Carlow University
      Key Medium - Philadelphia and Pittsburgh-based digital agency

      ALLY

      Pittsburgh Ballet
      Maher Duessel logo
      Allies for health + wellbeing
      Agora World
      Perkins Eastman
      Wolf Consulting
      Merrill Lynch

      What our members and sponsors are saying

      As a sponsor, we are able to see firsthand how GPNP is dedicated to educating not-for-profits on issues that affect them and the Pittsburgh region. The GPNP Summit provides another opportunity to observe, collaborate and discover ways to make our community a better place to live and work. A more knowledgeable community is essential to a vibrant local economy.

      Rachel Trunk

      Baker Tilly

      GPNP creates a dynamic and vibrant network of change makers committed to strengthening our region. It is a powerful and necessary force in tackling some of our most pressing issues. The GPNP Summit is a transformational experience. At the Summit, I’ve learned key skills and built partnerships and a network to collaborate on a more strategic level.
      Chris Cooke

      Former Executive Director, Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience (PULSE)

      What I have experienced with GPNP is the amazing workshops, webinars, using the Catchafire pilot for 17 projects for The Stepping Stone Pathways as well as utilizing the Executive-in-Residence program. The GPNP Summit means that people who are not able to attend in person can attend to virtual webinars and still benefit from some of the informational sessions that are being offered. During the summit [we had] sessions that teach you HOW to achieve your goal; it is invaluable to grow and expand your business.

      Alice Washington

      Executive Director, The Stepping Stone Pathways

      As a GPNP member and partner for over a decade I am proud to be associated with a membership
      organization that cares both about its members and those they serve. Pittsburgh has a strong and
      vibrant nonprofit community because of the continued efforts of GPNP.

      The GPNP Summit for years has provided the opportunity to build stronger personal and professional relationships. I can only imagine the partnerships that have been formed as a direct result of conversations at past Summits. I have no doubt this year’s Summit will continue that trend.

      Todd Whiteman

      Executive Vice President, Enscoe Long Insurance Group

      Relive the GPNP Summit from 2021 and earlier:

      GPNP held our biennial Summit virtually on Oct. 13-15, 2021, with over 700 leaders in attendance!

      For more than a decade, thousands of amazing organizations have been enthusiastic participants in a biennial Summit hosted by The Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership.

      The 2021 GPNP Summit offered an opportunity to connect 700+ attendees with pertinent resources; identify and develop cross-sectoral strategies for nonprofit organizations, local businesses, and the public sector; and empower people to collaborate, advocate, and act.

      2021 GPNP Summit

      GPNP held our biennial Summit on Dec. 3, 2019, with over 1,000 leaders in attendance!

      Hosted by The Forbes Funds, the GPNP Summit $1,500 benefit is accessible to all our members, as well as our corporate sponsors, consultants, and partners.

      For more than a decade, thousands of amazing organizations have been enthusiastic participants in a biennial nonprofit summit. Attendees learned more about innovative approaches and opportunities in fulfilling missions and to move beyond the boundaries of their sectors to know the value of multi-disciplinary alliances.

      The 2017 GPNP Summit attracted 1,200 community, government, philanthropic and corporate leaders, all dedicated to making the city sustainable, vibrant and healthy.

      The 2017 Nonprofit Summit is was held October 5-6, 2017. Check out the video below about the Summit.

      GPNP Summit 2017

      GPNP issued the following press release in advance of Summit 2015: Our Region Wins When We Work Together

      October 13, 2015: More than 1,200 nonprofit executives, public officials, and business leaders will convene on Thursday, October 15, 2015 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for Summit 2015: Our Region Wins When We Work Together, the largest conference of private, public, and nonprofit organizations in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Videos from the 2015 summit appear below. You can also read the archived press release here and see coverage from Next Pittsburgh.

      The Greater Pittsburgh 2013 Nonprofit Summit: From Ideas to Action

      Continuing to convene nonprofit leaders from across southwestern Pennsylvania, the Nonprofit Summit featured workshops, networking, and continued collaboration across the region.

      The Nonprofit Summit in 2011 took place working to bolster nonprofits to build a better region.

      Continuing to convene nonprofit leaders from across southwestern Pennsylvania, the Nonprofit Summit featured workshops, networking, and continued collaboration across the region. Some such events included: Technology & Social Media, Measuring Change, and more.

      In 2005, The Forbes Funds created the Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership (GPNP).

      The Forbes Funds formalizes the Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership (GPNP).

      In 2005, The Forbes Funds founded the GPNP to address the increasing concern that the nonprofit sector was not connected with then-current charitable tax discussions across the state.

      interested in Becoming a Sponsor for the 2023 GPNP Summit?