BREAKIN' IT DOWN CONFERENCE

Request for Proposals opens March 20, 2025

Proposal Deadline is April 24, 2025

Proposal notifications sent by May 19, 2025

Headshots and bios submitted by July 10, 2025

Registration will open July 24, 2025

Workshop materials submitted by October 9, 2025 

2025 Breakin’ It Down Conference| Chicago, Illinois  October 24, 2025

1. Learn how to create and submit an excellent proposal by reading this page.
2. Develop a proposal based on one of the focus areas and topics (below). You may  download a copy of our submittal form to help you prepare your proposal and/or collaboration with co-presenter.
3. Proposal submissions must be made online. Submit your proposal here between March 20 and April 24, 2025. Submitters will be notified about decisions on May 19.
4. If your proposal is accepted, attend and present at the 2025  Breakin' It DownConferencce on October 24, 2025.. Registration is required of all presenters. 

 CHOOSING COURAGE

Workshop sessions have a run time of 75 minutes to include introductions, Q&A, and evaluation. 

Workshop sessions are intended for  diverse adult learning  audiences, from those who are new to the  field as well as emerging leaders, through executive-level. 

Workshop sessions is a time in which skills or concepts are taught, demonstrated, or explored. These sessions are scheduled concurrently.  They should be structured so that some explanatory or introductory information is provided, with ample time for audience interaction, participation, and involvement. The conference aims to foster open dialogue among  participants  with diverse perspectives on innovative and impactful collaborative models and explore issues important to the field and broad audiences.

To support ourparticipants seeking continuing CFRE education credits, incorporate CFRE Reported Programs requirements into your session plan. This will help us maximize the number of CFRE credits available for the conference.

Workshop sessions are focused on more narrow topics. They tend to be more hands-on; attendees are there to learn best practices, discuss examples, and leave with practical strategies.

The session should be interactive.  The key is to include audience participation as much as possible. Be sure your session engages your audience and involves them in as many aspects of your presentation as possible. 

• Demonstrate relevance to conference theme/focus areas through "real life" case studies
• Use methods that draw out relevant past knowledge and experiences
• Stimulate and provoke discussion, and participant engagement, during the live Q&A, and outcome-focused design
• Facilitate knowledge movement  and development of new competencies

When planning your session, consider the diversity of our conference participants and the broader community. Strive to ensure that your session presenters  and materials reflect inclusion, diversity, and cross-cultural competence.

Concurrent workshop sessions are presented and facilitated by topic area experts, two at maximum.  Sessions may be supported by a Powerpoint presentations and handouts, and participants are typically set in a classroom setting or theater-type setting.

Fundraising and Development

• Identifying broad patterns among donors and grantmakers, tracking changes, cultivating and spotting opportunities for growrg better through strategic move management
• Leadership and Management that support development/fundraising
• Ethics, Accountability, and Professionalism in fundraising and development
• Prospect Research
• Prospect Management and Stewardship
• Grantwriting and Grants Management
• Volunteer Involvement
• Talent Management: Development/Fundraising as a second career

Leadership and Management

• Issues relevant to management of a nonprofit
• Human Capital and Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity
• Pro Bono Support Providers and Volunteers
• Collaborations and Partnerships
• Organization and Executive Leadership
• Knowledge Management and Succession Planning
• Business and Strategic Planning

Research and Data

• Best practices for collecting and analyzing data to communicate outcomes and demonstrate impact 
• Data Storytelling
• Data Visualization

Technology

• Effectively utilizing technology for growth and sustainability

Professional Responsibility

• Issues related to  Ethics, Accountability, and Professionalism
• Community-Centered Advocacy
• Nonprofit Corporate Law and Governance
• Corporate Principles

Session proposals should contain the necessary information for the proposal reviewers to judge the relevance, quality, and potential community interest in the proposed topic.  Proposals should answer the questions: What will participants  take away from the session? What will  participants be able to use in their job/role?

Proposals will be selected based on: 

Relevance

The proposal makes a strong argument for why this session is important for practitioners in the field. It aligns to current trends and issues in the field. This session is one that people would want to attend.Is the topic of relevance, importance, value, and/or interest to the majority of our participants?

Proposal Alignment and Quality

The title, abstract, and proposal are clearly and strongly aligned. The title and abstract are an accurate and clear representation of the overall proposal.  Does the proposal demonstrate quality, as measured by accuracy, clarity, comprehensiveness, and depth of demonstrated understanding of the topic?

Participant Experience and Outcomes Achievability

The proposal clearly describes the outcomes for participants. There are several opportunities for interaction, dialogue, and participant engagement. Classroom-ready materials are available.Is there alignment between the stated session outcomes and the proposal description?

Engagement and Knowledge Transfer

The proposal offers perspectives that amplify counternarratives and other lesser-known stories.  Participants will learn new strategies to enhance their work.  Does the proposal provoke discussion, audience engagement, and/or facilitate knowledge transfer and development of new competency?

Other

Reviewers will be asked to provide an overall recommendation.

You will be notified the week of May 19, 2025, whether your proposal was accepted. If accepted, your session will be assigned to a Program Sub-Committee member,  who will be designated to help guide you through the process. This person will be your primary contact and resource leading up to the Breakin’ It Down Conference.  A session moderator will be assigned to introduce you and assist during the Conference workshop session.

If your proposal is accepted, Breakin’ It Down reserves the right to make changes in the recommended presenters, program and materials. Proposals that are similar in subject matter may be accepted and merged at the discretion of the Breakin’ It Down.

Each accepted presenter will receive a link to submit presenter names and information. The link will also provide complementary registration to the Conference, including meals offered. Presenters who fail to provide all information may be canceled at the discretion of conference planners. 

Each session presenter and co-presenter, if any, must submit a short bio not to exceed 250 words and a headshot, by July 10, 2025.  These bios will be used by Breakin’ It Down for marketing purposes.

Each session presenter must submit materials by the deadline, anticipated to by October 9, 2025. Each workshop is encouraged to submit a single consolidated outline. Additional materials should also be provided as appropriate.

All selected presenters must agree to and complete speaker agreement forms.

The  Breakin’ It Down Conference will provide meeting space, limited audio-visual equipment, publicity, logistical support and session evaluation. A certificate of workshop presentation will also be provided.

If a proposal is selected, complementary registration to the Breakin’ It Down Conference will be provided to the primary presenter and co-presenter, if any. All presenters must register for the Breakin’ It Down Conference, with the link provided.  No exceptions will be made.