Advancing Racial Equity In the Field of Philanthropy, Non-Profit, and Fundraising
2025 BREAKIN' IT DOWN CONFERENCE
2025 BREAKIN' IT DOWN CONFERENCE
The program and registration information will be shared with you in due course.
2025 BID CALL FOR CONFERENCE COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS
CREATE IMPACT. GET INVOLVED.
CALL FOR CONFERENCE COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS
Have you attended the Breakin' It Down Conference previously? We need you! We are seeking 15 volunteers to assist in the following areas:
- Seek sponsors and exhibitions
- Serve as in-person Conference session moderators
- Serve as Speed Networking With Funders session content reviewersr and session moderators.
- Assist with Conference social media and marketing
- Serve as Session Rapporteurs.
TIME COMMITMENT: 10 HOURS
To learn more information, click here.
2025 BREAKIN' IT DOWN CONFERENCE
BID AWARDS: CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Through June 30, 2025.
It’s time to recognize your colleagues and collaborators for their achievements in the field of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising!
The Breakin’ It Down Planning Committee is seeking nominations for the 2025 Breakin’ It Down Awards. Each Breakin’ It Down Award selection is accompanied by a commemorative award and monetary award, during the awards ceremony and lunch at the 2025 Breakin’ It Down Conference: Choosing Courage, to be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, at Malcolm X College.
The Breakin' It Down Awards recognize leadership excellence in the field of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising.
PURPOSE OF THE BREAKIN’ IT DOWN AWARDS
The purpose of the Breakin' It Down Awards program is to recognize those who are not just achieving for themselves but are lifting and paving the way for others. By their example, they inspire others to make similar contributions to the field and service to under-recognized communities in the Chicago area.
CATEGORIES
EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS
The Emerging Leaders Awards was established in 2024, to recognize promising leaders who have not only shown exceptional promise and achievement in their careers but have also demonstrated passion for and commitment to advancing racial equity in the field of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising and have used their influence for significant impact in under-recognized communities in the Chicago area. The Emerging Leaders Awards focus on the potential and promise of the future, rather than the established. The purpose of the Emerging Leaders Awards is to encourage newer professionals, volunteers, and nonprofit organizations to continue their careers and service, to help drive economic empowerment and inclusive mobility in the communities they serve and the field.
Individual: $500
At least two (2) years and less than ten (10) years in the field
Organization: $500
At least two (2) years but less than seven (7) years in operation
DENISE STENNIS AWARDS
Created in 2019, the Denise Stennis Awards for individual and organizational awards are named in memory and honor of Denise Stennis, a community leader, mentor, friend, and co-founder of the Breakin' It Down Conference. The purpose of the Denise Stennis Awards is to recognize those who have attained distinction in the field and not only successes in their profession and/or volunteer service, but have also demonstrated passion for and commitment to advancing racial equity in the field of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising and have used their influence for significant impact in under-recognized communities in the Chicago area.
Criteria
Individual: $1,000
At least ten (10) years in the field
Organization: $1,000
At least seven (7) years in operation
BIG NEWS!
SO EXCITED! Mujeres Latinas en Accion, Breakin' It Down's fiscal sponsor, just got a $100K grant from the MacArthur Foundation to support the Breakin' It Down conference and new fellows program! We look forward to sharing more information!