NationSwell: Events

NationSwell On-the-Ground: A Conversation at the San Quentin Learning Center
2026-05-21 14:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
NationSwell On-the-Ground: A Conversation at the San Quentin Learning Center

Thursday May 21, 20262:00–8:30 PM PTSalon

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This year, Mount Tamalpais College celebrates nearly three decades of teaching, learning, and transformation inside San Quentin. As the only accredited independent liberal arts college in the United States whose main campus operates inside a prison, the college has helped thousands of incarcerated students pursue rigorous higher education.
Now, building on this legacy, and through new investment from the State of California, San Quentin is undergoing a historic transformation into the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, including the launch of the first-of-its-kind San Quentin Learning Center, designed to expand access to education, workforce training, and reentry pathways.
Join NationSwell for a guided site visit and conversation inside the new San Quentin Learning Center, followed by a post-visit dinner at Farmshop Marin. Together with cross-sector leaders, current Mount Tamalpais College students, and alumni leaders, we’ll explore what meaningful investment in education looks like inside correctional facilities, and how innovative learning programs are helping incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals build resilience, expand opportunity, and chart new possibilities for life beyond prison.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

AGENDA

2:00 pm – 4:30 pmGuided Site Visit
5:30 pmDinner discussion begins
8:30 pmDinner concludes

Fueling Rural Prosperity on Rural Terms
2026-05-21 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Fueling Rural Prosperity on Rural Terms

Virtual RoundtableThursday, May 21, 20264:00pm – 5:00pm ET

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Rural communities are seeing renewed interest from outside capital — data centers, manufacturing sites, energy infrastructure, and more – promising jobs and tax base growth. But these investments often come with tradeoffs: land taken out of agricultural use, heavy demands on water and energy systems, and decisions made far from the people most affected.
NationSwell invites leaders from business, philanthropy, and the social sector to a conversation on how to invest in rural economic prosperity without stripping local communities of agency. We’ll explore what responsible investment looks like when rural regions are asked to host large-scale infrastructure and enterprise—and how models that prioritize local ownership, shared decision-making, and long-term community benefit can compete with extractive approaches.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

Signature Dinner on Imagination, Innovation, and Connection in New York City
2026-05-27 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Signature Dinner on Imagination, Innovation, and Connection in New York City

Wednesday, May 27, 20266:00–9:00 PM ETNew York City

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About

The first part of 2026 has introduced more volatility to an already unsteady world. For many impact leaders and their organizations, the turbulence brings additional risk and even greater fatigue. But it also creates a precious opportunity to get clear, to connect more deeply, and to take bigger swings at shaping what comes next. Moments like this often reward curiosity: the willingness to ask “what if?” and to imagine the possible.
At NationSwell’s Signature Dinner series, extraordinary leaders from across sectors will gather to reconnect with our sense of awe and wonder, to tap into our rich community, and to surface the most innovative and promising work happening in our field.
Together, we will explore the practices and approaches that allow us to lead with imagination and connection when conditions make both feel difficult to access. Our hope is that this evening provides you with meaningful space to lift up, fill your cup, and leave inspired to approach the challenges in front of us with renewed energy, creativity, and ambition.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

Upcoming Events

Check out the Institutional calendar to learn more about upcoming events.

Building Community and Civic Knowledge Infrastructure
2026-05-28 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Building Community and Civic Knowledge Infrastructure

BraintrustThursday, May 28, 20264:00pm – 5:00pm ET

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Civic knowledge institutions – from local libraries and news outlets to museums, historical societies, and faith-based organizations – have been part of an ecosystem of “community and civic knowledge infrastructure” that helps communities access trustworthy information and stay connected. Yet many of these institutions face declining readership, foot traffic, and membership at the very moment their roles in combating misinformation, strengthening democracy, supporting local economies, and fostering belonging are most critical.
In this NationSwell Braintrust, hosted in partnership with Siegel Family Endowment, we’ll explore how funders and practitioners can seed new partnerships across these institutions, test place-based models, and move from exploratory work toward implementation. Building on Siegel’s emerging strategy around civic knowledge infrastructure and its expanding work at the intersection of technology and policy, we’ll surface shared questions on information, democracy, and AI, and identify opportunities for a “coalition of the willing” to advance this work. Together, we’ll map who needs to be at the table—from local museums and libraries to faith-based partners, community media, local government, and grassroots civic groups—clarify what success looks like, and chart potential next steps for collective action.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

Signature Dinner on Imagination, Innovation, and Connection in Atlanta
2026-06-02 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Signature Dinner on Imagination, Innovation, and Connection in Atlanta

Tuesday, June 2, 20266:00–9:00 PM ETAtlanta

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About

The first part of 2026 has introduced more volatility to an already unsteady world. For many impact leaders and their organizations, the turbulence brings additional risk and even greater fatigue. But it also creates a precious opportunity to get clear, to connect more deeply, and to take bigger swings at shaping what comes next. Moments like this often reward curiosity: the willingness to ask “what if?” and to imagine the possible.
At NationSwell’s Signature Dinner series, extraordinary leaders from across sectors will gather to reconnect with our sense of awe and wonder, to tap into our rich community, and to surface the most innovative and promising work happening in our field.
Together, we will explore the practices and approaches that allow us to lead with imagination and connection when conditions make both feel difficult to access. Our hope is that this evening provides you with meaningful space to lift up, fill your cup, and leave inspired to approach the challenges in front of us with renewed energy, creativity, and ambition.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

Upcoming Events

Check out the Institutional calendar to learn more about upcoming events.

Workshop: AI in Action for Impact Leaders
2026-06-04 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Workshop: AI in Action for Impact Leaders

Virtual RoundtableThursday June 4, 20261:00pm – 2:00pm ET

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As AI tools and applications proliferate, the effect on leaders can be overwhelming. What use cases are worth investing in now? What expectations should we realistically have for quality and efficiency gains? What does it really look like to start using AI in new everyday ways?
In this hourlong virtual workshop, NationSwell will convene impact leaders to explore a small number of promising and highly relevant applications. We’ll bring powerful use cases to life for participants via live demonstrations and Q&A with individuals using these approaches in real world ways. This will be a great opportunity for anyone looking to expand and deepen their working knowledge of practical AI.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

Making Employee Engagement and Volunteerism More Meaningful
2026-06-04 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Making Employee Engagement and Volunteerism More Meaningful

BraintrustThursday, June 4, 20263:00pm – 4:00pm ET

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Employee engagement is becoming harder to sustain, even in purpose-led companies, as expectations rise and teams launch more programs, platforms, and “moments” than ever. Leaders responsible for engagement and volunteerism are being asked to show that these efforts do more than generate activity—that they build real connection, support talent goals, and contribute to the business in visible ways.
This intimate NationSwell Braintrust will convene a small group of senior social impact practitioners who oversee employee engagement and volunteerism to pause, compare notes, and get honest about what is and isn’t working. The conversation will focus on how leaders are sharpening their strategies: making clearer choices about where to focus, designing volunteer and engagement experiences that feel meaningful to employees, and testing approaches and communications that better connect their work to culture, retention, and impact.
Participants will leave with fresh insight into how others are navigating similar pressures, plus a set of peer-tested ideas to bring back to their teams. This gathering is designed specifically for in-house social impact leaders; we are not able to accommodate vendors, consultants, or service providers for this session.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

Restoring Social Connection in America: Common Purpose through Service and Community Engagement
2026-06-09 13:30 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
Restoring Social Connection in America: Common Purpose through Service and Community Engagement

Tuesday, June 9, 20261:30–2:30 PM ETMainStage

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About

Deficits of trust, empathy, and a sense of common purpose are defining characteristics of the current moment in America. Our social fabric is threadbare as deepening polarization spills into many aspects of community life.
While leaders can’t “fix” social division overnight, they can help rebuild the everyday ties that make communities healthier, safer, and more resilient. Service is one of the most effective levers we have. Done well, it creates proximity, restores compassion, and reminds people they still belong to something bigger than themselves.
Join NationSwell for part one of a two-part Mainstage series on Restoring Social Connection in America. In this hourlong program, a panel of leading experts and practitioners will surface some of the boldest and most promising solutions to restoring connection through a deeper culture of service in American communities and workplaces.

Ginneh Baugh
Chief Impact Officer
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Secretary Jonny Dorsey
Secretary of the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation
Maryland Department of Service & Civic Innovation, Senior Advisor to Governor Wes Moore

Jennifer Hoos Rothberg
Executive Director
Einhorn Collaborative

Aneesh Sohoni
Chief Executive Officer
Teach for America

Greg Weatherford II
Director
The Allstate Foundation & Social Impact

Upcoming Events

Check out the Institutional calendar to learn more about upcoming events.

Reimagining Workforce Readiness: Why Mental Health and Human Skills Will Define Success in the AI Economy
2026-06-10 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Reimagining Workforce Readiness: Why Mental Health and Human Skills Will Define Success in the AI Economy

Virtual RoundtableWednesday, June 10, 20264:00pm – 5:00pm ET

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What if the greatest barrier to workforce readiness isn’t a lack of technical skills, but the absence of systems that help young people adapt in an ever-changing world? The future of workforce readiness may depend less on what young people know and more on how effectively they collaborate, communicate, regulate stress, and navigate uncertainty. As AI reshapes industries and traditional career pathways, emotional intelligence, mental health, and relationship-building are emerging not as “soft skills,” but as essential ones.
Join NationSwell, Dr. Isaiah Pickens of iOpening Enterprises, and Christina Sass of the International Youth Foundation for a candid conversation exploring how schools, employers, and youth-serving organizations can redesign the school-to-work pipeline to better prepare young people for sustainable success. Moving beyond compliance-driven approaches to career readiness, this discussion will examine how relationship-centered environments, identity safety, and well-being practices strengthen resilience, deepen engagement, and improve long-term workforce outcomes.
Participants will leave with practical strategies to create career-connected learning experiences that equip young people not just to secure jobs, but to thrive in them—along with insights for building workplace cultures that continue to develop these critical skills across the entire workforce.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

Signature Dinner on Imagination, Innovation, and Connection in Chicago
2026-06-11 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
Signature Dinner on Imagination, Innovation, and Connection in Chicago

Thursday, June 11, 20266:00–9:00 PM CTChicago

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About

The first part of 2026 has introduced more volatility to an already unsteady world. For many impact leaders and their organizations, the turbulence brings additional risk and even greater fatigue. But it also creates a precious opportunity to get clear, to connect more deeply, and to take bigger swings at shaping what comes next. Moments like this often reward curiosity: the willingness to ask “what if?” and to imagine the possible.
At NationSwell’s Signature Dinner series, extraordinary leaders from across sectors will gather to reconnect with our sense of awe and wonder, to tap into our rich community, and to surface the most innovative and promising work happening in our field.
Together, we will explore the practices and approaches that allow us to lead with imagination and connection when conditions make both feel difficult to access. Our hope is that this evening provides you with meaningful space to lift up, fill your cup, and leave inspired to approach the challenges in front of us with renewed energy, creativity, and ambition.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

Upcoming Events

Check out the Institutional calendar to learn more about upcoming events.

Catalyzing Public Sector Investment and Accountability in Impact Work
2026-06-16 13:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Catalyzing Public Sector Investment and Accountability in Impact Work

Virtual RoundtableTuesday, June 16, 20261:00pm – 2:00pm ET

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Private sector capital and impact initiatives can achieve lasting, population-level impact when they connect to public systems, budgets, or policy ownership that sustain and scale the work.
NationSwell invites senior social impact leaders to a conversation on how the private sector can more deliberately catalyze public sector engagement. We’ll explore strategies for using corporate and philanthropic initiatives to attract public partners, unlock government funding, and embed accountability into public systems over time. The conversation will focus on practical approaches for aligning incentives, navigating political and bureaucratic realities, and designing efforts that move from private leadership to durable public stewardship.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

Pharma Social Impact Leaders Braintrust
2026-06-30 11:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Pharma Social Impact Leaders Braintrust

BraintrustTuesday, June 30, 202611:30am – 12:30pm ET

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Earlier this year, NationSwell convened a select group of social impact and ESG leaders from top pharmaceutical and biopharma companies to explore the unique challenges and opportunities shaping the sector. Building on that momentum, Alice Lin Fabiano of Johnson & Johnson and NationSwell are reconvening an intimate group of peers for a candid, Chatham House–guided discussion of the most pressing internal and external dynamics influencing their work today – from shifting business priorities and evolving expectations of corporate citizenship, to team resourcing, governance, and cross-functional collaboration.
***Distinct from NationSwell’s Health Action Collaborative, this braintrust is intentionally focused on the leadership experience and context rather than specific issue-area initiatives, with an emphasis on surfacing shared challenges and identifying actionable opportunities for continued learning, mutual support, and future collaboration across companies.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

Supporting Grantees and Partners Facing Heightened Risk and Pressure
2026-07-08 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Supporting Grantees and Partners Facing Heightened Risk and Pressure

Virtual RoundtableWednesday, July 8, 20264:00pm – 5:00pm ET

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Nonprofits and community partners are operating under increasing strain—from funding uncertainty and rising demand to political scrutiny and public pressure. Many are being asked to do more with less, while navigating a more complex and, at times, more fragile operating environment.
In this roundtable, NationSwell will convene corporate impact and philanthropy leaders to explore how funders can better support their grantees and partners in this moment. We’ll discuss how funding strategies, capacity-building efforts, and partnership models may need to evolve to meet new realities—while balancing internal expectations for accountability and results.
Join peers for a candid conversation on what responsible, responsive partnership looks like today, and how funders can show up in ways that strengthen the organizations they rely on to deliver impact.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

Deepening Business Value and Community Impact Through Employee Engagement
2026-07-21 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Deepening Business Value and Community Impact Through Employee Engagement

Virtual RoundtableTuesday, July 21, 202612:00pm – 1:00pm ET

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Employee engagement has long been a cornerstone of corporate impact. But in today’s environment, leaders are under growing pressure to show how these programs deliver value not just for communities, but for the business itself.
In this roundtable, NationSwell will bring together corporate impact leaders to explore how employee-focused programs—volunteerism, pro bono service, board service, and matching gifts—can be designed with greater intention and measured with greater rigor. Together, we’ll dig into what it takes to move from participation to performance: aligning programs to business priorities, strengthening talent outcomes like retention and skill development, and building the case for sustained investment.
Join NationSwell and a group of peers for a conversation on how to unlock the full potential of employee engagement as a driver of both impact and business value.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

Reframing the Narrative Around Skilled Trade Careers
2026-07-22 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Reframing the Narrative Around Skilled Trade Careers

Virtual Roundtable
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
4:00pm – 5:00pm ET

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Skilled trade careers are essential to the economy—and gaining increased attention and investment as AI begins to reshape other professional pathways. Yet outdated perceptions, limited visibility, and fragmented access points continue to steer talent away from these roles.
In this roundtable, NationSwell will bring together companies, funders, and workforce development leaders to explore how the narrative around skilled trades can be reshaped. We’ll examine what it takes to elevate these careers as pathways to stability and mobility, from employer-led messaging and education partnerships to employee storytelling and on-ramps into the workforce.
Join peers for a practical conversation on how to shift perceptions, expand access, and build stronger pipelines into the skilled trades.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

NationSwell Leadership Lunch: Philadelphia
2026-07-28 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
NationSwell Leadership Lunch: Philadelphia

Tuesday, July 28, 202612:00–2:00 PM ETPhiladelphia

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NationSwell is convening a small group of impact leaders for an intimate Leadership Lunch bringing together those working across the city and greater Philadelphia region. This gathering is designed to deepen relationships across the local ecosystem, strengthen community, and connect peers navigating a shared set of opportunities and challenges rooted in place.
Through a Philadelphia lens, the conversation will explore how leaders are navigating a period of rapid change while advancing meaningful, community-centered impact. Together, we will reflect on what it takes to lead with clarity and intention today, and how we can better support one another in that work.
Philadelphia, the country’s birthplace and a center of democracy, offers a powerful backdrop for this moment. As we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary, and ahead of coming together for the NationSwell Summit around the theme of A Future Possible, this lunch is an opportunity to bring together leaders and institutions, strengthen connection, and foster a shared commitment to Philadelphia’s future

To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

Upcoming Events

Check out the Institutional calendar to learn more about upcoming events.

Leadership Lunch with Michael Clinton: Longevity Nation
2026-07-30 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Leadership Lunch with Michael Clinton: Longevity Nation

Thursday, July 30, 202612:00–2:00 PM ETNew York City

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Longevity! We’re hearing so much about it. It’s really a conversation about health, wellness and human flourishing. All of those things are so important to us as humans and leaders. How do we cut through the noise, to understand what is truly working best? What are the approaches and practices that are working best for peer leaders? How can we take care of ourselves – and take care of others?
At this NationSwell Leadership Lunch, we’ll gather an intimate group of senior leaders for a lively and open conversation with Michael Clinton on the ideas at the heart of his new book, Longevity Nation. Drawing on insights from global innovators, leading research institutions, and his own extraordinary personal journey, Michael will explore how individuals and institutions alike can embrace the new longevity movement — and what it takes to live and lead with continued purpose, vitality, curiosity, and impact in the decades ahead.
This is a Chatham House Rule conversation — candid, collaborative, and designed to surface the kind of honest exchange that only happens in a room of trusted peers. Come ready to engage.

Upcoming Events

Check out the Institutional calendar to learn more about upcoming events.

Resetting the Public Narrative Around U.S. Philanthropy
2026-08-04 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Resetting the Public Narrative Around U.S. Philanthropy

Virtual RoundtableTuesday, August 4, 20264:00pm – 5:00pm ET

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Philanthropy in the U.S. is facing a shift in public perception. What was once broadly seen as a force for good is now, in some circles, framed as politicized, opaque, or even at odds with democratic values. These narratives are gaining traction—and they carry implications for how funders carry out their work and for civil society more broadly.
In this roundtable, NationSwell will bring together philanthropic leaders to examine what’s driving this shift and what can be done in response—within our organizations and collectively. We’ll explore how to tell a more compelling story about the work: one that centers grantees, communities, and impact rather than philanthropic institutions, and that brings more people into a shared belief in the power of civil society—without ceding the ground philanthropy needs to sustain it.
Join peers for a candid discussion on how to navigate scrutiny, rebuild trust, and help shape a more grounded and durable public narrative around philanthropy in the U.S.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

Latino Leaders Braintrust
2026-08-05 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Latino Leaders Working Group

Working GroupWednesday, August 5, 20262:00pm – 3:00pm ET

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A safe space for Hispanic and Latino leaders to connect, celebrate their strengths, and share practical strategies for advancing leadership, equity, and community impact. Together, we’ll create a cross-sectoral alliance that uplifts, empowers, and inspires.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

White Oak at Scale: Building Durable Infrastructure for Military and Veteran Families
2026-08-06 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
White Oak at Scale: Building Durable Infrastructure for Military and Veteran Families

BraintrustThursday, August 6, 20263:00pm – 4:00pm ET

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What would it take to transform White Oak—a cross-sector coalition serving military and veteran families—into a lasting platform for resilience and systems change? In this conversation, we will pressure-test the institutional design required for that leap: the capital stack, policy alignment, corporate integration, and narrative influence needed to support national scale.
Together, we will:

Surface the core design elements of an enduring institution (governance, capital stack, and long-term sustainability).
Identify key policy and corporate levers that can hardwire support for military and veteran families into existing systems.
Consider what narrative shift is needed so that the experiences and resilience of military and veteran families are centered in public, private, and philanthropic decision-making.

To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

Leader Briefing: Q3 Social Impact Trends
2026-08-11 12:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Leader Briefing: Q3 Social Impact Trends

Virtual RoundtableTuesday, August 11, 202612:00pm – 12:30pm ET

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Each quarter NationSwell tracks the most important trends, shifts, and moments shaping the social impact space.
Before we publish our Q3 findings, join us for a 30-minute virtual briefing from a leader on our Insights team who will walk through what we’re tracking and why it matters for how impact leaders set priorities, frame conversations with senior leadership, and position their work in a fast-moving environment. We’ll close with time for questions and discussion, giving participants space to pressure-test assumptions and compare notes on where the field is headed.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

NationSwell Leadership Lunch: New Jersey
2026-08-12 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
NationSwell Leadership Lunch: New Jersey

Wednesdsy, August 12, 202612:00–2:00 PM ETNew Jersey

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NationSwell is convening a small group of impact leaders for an intimate Leadership Lunch, bringing together cross-sector leaders from across New Jersey and the broader region. Co-hosted by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the gathering is designed to deepen relationships within the local ecosystem, strengthen community, and create space for candid conversation among peers navigating shared opportunities and challenges rooted in place.
Grounded in a New Jersey lens, the conversation will offer a chance to swap notes on what is emerging across the region, surface shared priorities, and explore opportunities for collaboration within the region and beyond. Together, the group will reflect on how leaders are navigating this moment and where greater alignment, partnership, and collective momentum may be possible.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

Upcoming Events

Check out the Institutional calendar to learn more about upcoming events.

Measuring Place-Based Impact
2026-08-18 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Measuring Place-Based Impact

Virtual RoundtableTuesday, August 18, 20263:00pm – 4:00pm ET

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By its very nature, place-based work is bespoke to the specific community it is focused on, with their specific history, environment, cultural identity, industries and skills, opportunities and challenges, and leaders driving the work. With that level of customization, are there standards and best practices we can adhere to in how funders and partners measure the impact of this work? Or are place-based initiatives fundamentally at odds with a consistent measurement approach?
In this NationSwell leader roundtable, we’ll convene a group of place-based funders and practitioners to explore the topic of what it takes to successfully measure place-based work, and whether there are universal principles worth adapting to each unique context.
Just us for an important and pragmatic discussion among peers that leverages three years of learnings from NationSwell’s Place-Based Impact Collaborative.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

Capital Access Strategies for Building Collective Wealth
2026-08-25 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Capital Access Strategies for Building Collective Wealth

Virtual RoundtableTuesday, August 25, 20264:00pm – 5:00pm ET

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Access to capital—through lending, investment, and other financial products or services—is one of the most powerful levers for building wealth and expanding economic opportunity. But for too many individuals, families, and communities, that access remains uneven, hard to navigate, or out of reach entirely.
In this roundtable, NationSwell will bring together impact leaders from across business, finance, and the social sector to explore what it takes to break down traditional barriers and open up access to life changing capital — to buy homes, start businesses, build intergenerational wealth, and much more — for more Americans. We’ll examine promising products and lending practices, tools and services that build financial confidence and know-how, and a range of approaches that offer greater opportunity to pursue wealth-building moments.
Join peers for a candid conversation on where the opportunities are, what’s working, and how your organization can play a more meaningful role in expanding access to capital and building collective wealth.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

Exercising Influence With Your C-suite and Board
2026-09-03 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Exercising Influence With Your C-suite and Board

Virtual RoundtableThursday, September 3, 20263:00pm – 4:00pm ET

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For corporate impact leaders, success depends heavily on securing buy-in from the C-suite and board—on strategy, resourcing, and priorities. Getting there requires a blend of credibility, careful relationship management, a business-oriented mental model, and persuasive storytelling.
In this roundtable, NationSwell will convene corporate impact leaders to unpack what it takes to build and use influence at the highest levels of the business. We’ll explore the latest approaches to aligning impact priorities with core business goals, communicating in ways that resonate with executive audiences, and navigating moments of skepticism or pushback.
Join peers for an essential conversation on how to strengthen your voice, earn trust, and move critical decisions forward with senior leadership.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

Combatting Hunger and Food Insecurity
2026-09-09 15:00 (America/New_York)
Combatting Hunger and Food Insecurity

Virtual RoundtableWednesday, September 9, 20263:00pm – 4:00pm ET

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Hunger remains one of the most persistent and visible challenges facing communities across the U.S. Rising costs, strained safety nets, and uneven access to nutritious food are leaving individuals and families at risk.
In conjunction with National Hunger Action Month, this roundtable will bring together impact leaders from across sectors to explore the latest developments in fighting hunger – from fresh approaches and models to new collaborations to the most pressing gaps and challenges requiring action.
Join peers for a focused conversation on what’s working now and how organizations can align efforts to advance more effective, scalable solutions to combat hunger in their communities.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

Preparing for the Midterm Elections
2026-09-10 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Preparing for the Midterm Elections

Virtual RoundtableThursday, September 10, 20264:00pm – 5:00pm ET

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The 2026 midterm elections will take place in a climate of low trust, high polarization, and growing scrutiny of institutions. Many organizations will be looking for ways to support participation without inflaming division, undermining credibility, or crossing legal and reputational lines.
NationSwell invites leaders from business, philanthropy, and civil society to a candid conversation on promoting healthy civic engagement in the run-up to the midterms. We’ll explore what constructive engagement looks like today—from nonpartisan voter participation and media literacy to employee engagement and community partnerships—and where organizations are drawing clearer boundaries. The conversation will focus on practical approaches to strengthening democratic participation while reinforcing trust, inclusion, and institutional integrity.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

NationSwell’s events and experiences are designed to bring together diverse, purpose-driven leaders and organizations for learning, inspiration, relationship-building, and societal impact.

Signature Dinner on Leading at Our Best in Los Angeles
2026-09-17 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Signature Dinner on Leading at Our Best in Los Angeles

Thursday, September 17, 20266:00–9:00 PM PTLos Angeles

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This year has been no stranger to turbulence and uncertainty, nor has it been without bright spots and hard-won progress. It’s in moments like this one — murky and demanding — that good leadership matters most.
NationSwell’s Signature Dinner series on Leading at Our Best provides a precious opportunity, under Chatham House Rule, for members of our community to gather in close conversation about what it takes to propel our work, our teams, and ourselves forward right now. We welcome leaders to the table to explore bold ideas, offer mutual support, and share in the vital project of preparing ourselves and one another for the road ahead.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

Upcoming Events

Check out the Institutional calendar to learn more about upcoming events.

Signature Dinner on Leading at Our Best in New York City
2026-09-22 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Signature Dinner on Leading at Our Best in New York City

Tuesday, September 22, 20266:00–9:00 PM ETNew York City

I'm interested in joining this event.

About

This year has been no stranger to turbulence and uncertainty, nor has it been without bright spots and hard-won progress. It’s in moments like this one — murky and demanding — that good leadership matters most.
NationSwell’s Signature Dinner series on Leading at Our Best provides a precious opportunity, under Chatham House Rule, for members of our community to gather in close conversation about what it takes to propel our work, our teams, and ourselves forward right now. We welcome leaders to the table to explore bold ideas, offer mutual support, and share in the vital project of preparing ourselves and one another for the road ahead.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

Upcoming Events

Check out the Institutional calendar to learn more about upcoming events.

Signature Dinner on Leading at Our Best in New York City
2026-09-24 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Signature Dinner on Leading at Our Best in New York City

Thursday, September 24, 20266:00–9:00 PM ETNew York City

I'm interested in joining this event.

About

This year has been no stranger to turbulence and uncertainty, nor has it been without bright spots and hard-won progress. It’s in moments like this one — murky and demanding — that good leadership matters most.
NationSwell’s Signature Dinner series on Leading at Our Best provides a precious opportunity, under Chatham House Rule, for members of our community to gather in close conversation about what it takes to propel our work, our teams, and ourselves forward right now. We welcome leaders to the table to explore bold ideas, offer mutual support, and share in the vital project of preparing ourselves and one another for the road ahead.
To encourage open and candid discussion, this event follows the Chatham House Rule – attendees may share insights from the conversation but cannot attribute statements to specific individuals or organizations. This ensures a trusted space for thoughtful dialogue and deeper insights.

Upcoming Events

Check out the Institutional calendar to learn more about upcoming events.
