Grantmakers for Children, Youth & Families: Annual conferences

For Members

Registration Brochure

Click here to download the 2008 GCYF Annual Conference registration brochure.

By harnessing the rich history, culture, energy, and expertise of the Chicago area, the 23rd GCYF Annual Conference will explore sustainable social change catalyzed by philanthropic investment and integrating the value of research, practice, and policy. Read more about our host city!

Theme

GCYF's 23rd Annual Conference. will explore the theme Funding for Sustainable Change: Linking Research, Practice and Policy. The conference will leverage all the Chicago Metro area has to offer: multicultural communities, access to the world’s leading practitioners, researchers, and thought leaders, and proximity to policymakers with a track record in impacting children, youth, and families.

Tracks & Concurrent Sessions

Annual conference sessions will be categorized into four tracks: early childhood, youth development, family development and cross-cutting issues. Tracks provide a structure for those interested in pursuing a certain population- or issue-based learning agenda. Following a set of track sessions is optional.

Offsite Sessions

Offsite Sessions are half-day conference events that take conference participants into local communities to provide a unique learning experience that could not be gained through a traditional workshop presentation. Offsite sessions build on conference themes while engaging a wider array of community members and organizations and taking advantage of local culture and expertise. True to the theme of the conference, the 2008 offsite sessions explore local strategies that have: harnessed the uniqueness and energy of Chicago neighborhoods; responded to shifting needs and demographics of communities; and engaged community based organizations, advocates and schools in ways that lead to long-term and sustainable shifts in access to and delivery of services for children, youth and families.

Schedule-At-A-Glance

Program & Highlights

The GCYF Annual Conference offers a rich and engaging schedule of learning and networking events for grantmakers, including dynamic plenary sessions boasting state, local, and national experts in the field speaking to public and private sector efforts to improve outcomes for children, youth and families.

Exhibits & Sponsors

A variety of exhibit and sponsorship opportunities are available including The Showcase, a dynamic array of vendors displaying the latest tools, resources, and publications that can inform your work. The Showcase includes the Non-Profit Marketplace, where local non-profits are invited to sell hand-crafted products to support local non-profits serving children, youth and families.

Conference Policies

Participation in the GCYF Annual Conference is open to grantmaking organizations, staff of grantmaking affinity groups and regional associations of grantmakers, and confirmed speakers and moderators. Learn more about eligibility and other conference policies.

Registration

REGISTER NOW!

Registration is now open for the 2008 Annual Conference! Learn more about registration policies and rates.

Lodging & Logistics

The 23rd GCYF Annual Conference will take place at The Drake Hotel, Chicago, IL, where The Magnificent Mile begins. Learn more about our conference venue and logistics. Lodging deadline: September 16, 2008.

Planning Support

The success of the annual conference lies in the dedicated individuals who take leadership roles in developing the conference content. We are honored to be working with our conference Co-Chairs Sara Slaughter, McCormick Foundation (Chicago, IL), and Marcia Egbert, The George Gund Foundation (Cleveland, OH), to move forward shaping the 2008 conference program. Learn more about our planning commitee and find important tools and guides for session planning.

Annual conferences