Breakin' It Down Conference

Workshop sessions is a time in which skills or concepts are taught, demonstrated, or explored. They should be structured so that some explanatory or introductory information is provided, with ample time for audience interaction, participation, and involvement. Breakin' It Down  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.

Fundraising and Development

• Identifying broad patterns among donors and grantmakers, tracking changes, cultivating and spotting opportunities for growth 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

Have a question or a suggestion? We're always here to help. Contact us today and we'll get back to you as soon as possible, hello@breakinitdownchicago.org.

All speakers and presented must sign an agreement that outlines expectations.  Failure to abide by these policies may lead to corrective action being taken, up to and including being removed Breakin’ It Down and prohibited from future Breakin’ It Down events.   

In appreciation of your participation,  Breakin' It Down is pleased to extend to you complementary annual Breakin' It Down Conference registration.

The Breakin' It Down Planning Committee values and acknowledges, through awards and honors, the significant contributions to the field of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising; to improving the social and economic mobility of under-recognized communities in the Chicago area; and the career-quality of those professionals and volunteers in the field who serve them.  

We hope to further recognize the contributions of speakers at Breakin' it Down events and their important role in advancing  peofessional development and excellence in the field.  Honoraria may be available in certain situations , their payment is subject to the specific program or event, approval processes, and of course, the availability of funds. 

Members of the Breakin' It Down Planning Committee  are typically not eligible for honoraria.

Under IRS regulations, honoraria payments are considered taxable income. Therefore, as a matter of policy, the recipient of an honorarium payment may not transfer the payment to another organization or individual. If the honorarium recipient wishes to transfer the payment to another organization or individual, they must receive the money and then donate it. 

The only exception to this rule is employees of certain Federal Government Agencies. 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Rules Regarding Payments to Individuals

Speaking fees and honoraria are considered taxable income.

USCIS regulations restrict the types of payments that can be made to persons who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of the United States. Whether such payments are permissible is based on the current immigration status of each individual payee as stated on the individual’s Form I-94, (i.e. generally a white or green card attached to the passport that lists the visa status of a non-immigrant visitor at the U.S. port of entry). Depending on the current immigration status of an individual, an individual may be permitted to receive  a speaker fee or honorarium.

Forms must be completed and submitted to the Breakin' It Down Planning Committee at planningcommittee@breakinitdownchicago.org within three (3) days ofspeaking engagment acceptance.

Payment to Individuals 

Payment may be reportable by the Breakin' It Down's Fiscal Sponsor on Form 1099- MISC.  Please Note:  Amount is subject to Federal Income Tax and potentially subject to State Income Tax.

Forms Required for Award Payment to U.S. Citizens

• IRS Form W-9, Request For Taxpayer Identification Number, prior to disbursement of funds

Forms Required for Award Payment to Resident Alien

• IRS Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number
• Copy of Permanent Resident or Resident Alien card or copy of the I-551 Stamp that is printed on the applicant's passport

Payment to Nonresident Aliens

IRS regulations require that Nonresident Aliens (NRA) who are receiving a peaking fee or honorarium are subject to 30% federal withholding on the payment.  Generally, tax treaty provisions are not available to exempt a speakinf fee or honorarium from the 30% tax withholding.  Breakin' It Down, through its fiscal sponsor, is required to withhold 30% from the amount and remit it to the IRS. The NRA will receive the balance. 

Forms Required for Payment to Nonresident Alien

• IRS Form W-8BEN, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding
• Form UPP 192, Alien Determination of Residency Form

Breakin' It Down shall have the right to edit, modify, or revise the submitted work in consultation with the Speaker, to . meet BID house style and insdutry specifications.  Breakin' It Down and Speaker agree to collaborate in good faith throughout the review and revision process. Breakin' It Down will provide the Speaker with proposed revisions and feedback, and Speaker will have the opportunity to review and discuss these changes. Breakin' It Down and Speaker will negotiate in good faith to reach mutual agreement on all edits and modifications. In the event of a disagreement, the parties will work collaboratively to reach a resolution through discussion and negotiation. Any final edits and modifications will be subject to mutual agreement by both Breakin' It Down and Speaker. 

If in the opinion of BID the content: (a) is not of a standard suitable for a presentation or the intended event; (b) does not fulfill the terms or this agreement; or (c) is not provided to BID on or before the specified date of delivery in the timeline, BID will discuss this with Speaker and attempt to resolve any issues in good faith. 

If on conclusion of the discussion outlined above, BID remains of the view that the content is not suitable, BID may refuse the content.  If BID refuses the content, the presentation and agreement shall be canceled and Speaker will not be entitled to the payment of any HONORARIUM or fee. 

Both Breakin' It Down and Speaker agree to consult one another before issuing any press release and provide one another the opportunity to comment with regard to this speaking engagement. 

Thank you for accepting to participate at the Breakin’ It Down (“BID”) conference as a Speaker.  

As a Speaker, your expertise is of great value to the conference. You were invited to present relevant and impactful information in a way that will engage the audience. We have put together some information we think may be helpful to you. The Breakin’ It Down Annual Conference Committee members will be on hand throughout the conference to deal with any unexpected issues that may arise. 

By accepting to participate as a Speaker at the BID conference, you agree to following:

• I agree commit to present at the specified BID conference. The exact date and time of your presentation will be shared by BID in my confirmation letter. 
• I agree to meet all program-related deadlines for slides, handouts, etc. for the presentation no later than the date outlined in my confirmation letter.
• I agree to familiarize myself with the session prior to the BID conference.  The conference program, including dates and session times, is designed at the sole discretion of the BID. 
• I agree to participate in two rehearsal/prep sessions at mutually convenient times to be arranged;
• I agree to use the presentation and handout templates and logos provided to me by BID for any presentations and/or handouts I may utilize in  connection with the program.  I agree to only use the templates and logos as provided by Breakin' It Down and in accordance with its breanding guideline and not in any way except in connection with this or other Breakin' It Down programs.
• During my presentation, I agree to refrain from the use of brand names and all specific product endorsements or to use the presentation platform as a place for direct promotion of any product or service to which I am connected or monetary self-interest.
• I will notify BID immediately in writing unexpected and extenuating circumstances arise that prevent me from meeting my obligation as a Speaker, to discuss options.  
• I agree to submit my final presentation and/or supplemental resources and materials to be distributed to conference participants.
• I agree that all technology and software for the presentation will be provided and hosted by myself at my own expense and at no cost to BID.
• I agrees to promote my session through the my social networks (e.g., Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, X, Instagram, personal and organization/company websites, etc.); Social media language with short links and hashtags may be provided to me by BID prior to the event.  
• I understand and support the importance of inclusivity, safety of expression, and respect for different points of view. I pledge to provide at all times an atmosphere in which partcipantsi have space to share openly. 
• If possible, I will also send a press release through my organization or business provided Breakin' It Down's Communications and Marketing  reviews and approves such press release prior to its distribution.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARTIES AND COMPENSATION

A Speaker is not an employee of BID, BID's fiscal sponsor, or BID's affiliated groups.   Each of the parties will be solely and entirely responsible for its own acts and/or the acts of its employees or agents. 

No honorarium or compensation will be provided by BID, BID's fiscal sponsor, or BID's affiliated group s for a Speaker's participation unless otherwise specified in writing by BID. BID does not provide reimbursement or arrangements for expenses associated with a Speaker's presentation unless otherwise specified in writing by BID. In the event that payment is made, Speaker must provide appropriate taxing authority documentation as needed for final payment such as a W-9 form.

COPYRIGHT, PRESENTATION, RECORDINGS, AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

• The Speaker shall own the copyright in all materials provided for, or created by Speaker at the Event except for materials specifically created solely for Breakin' It Down’s use or materials incorporating Breakn' It Down's intellectual property. To the extent the Speaker provides their intellectual property to Breakin' It Down for use in the Event, Speaker grants Breakin' It Down, its Fiscal Sponsor, its Fiscal Sponsor, and its successors, assigns, and licensees a nonexclusive, worldwide, royalty -free license to use, reproduce, and distribute the intellectual property in connection with the event
• I grant BID the rights to include my presentation content in the event proceedings in hard copy and.or electronic format.
• I agree to provide a copy of my session slide presentation and/or other presentation program materials to be made available for download by registered participants at no additional cost to BID or their registered participants after the event. 
• I authorizes that BID may use any recordings or portions of my presentation for advertising and marketing purposes of future events.  I further agree not to share my BID session recording on social media, websites, communications, etc. until one year after their presentation.
• I give permission to BID to record my entire presentation, including my likeness, voice and verbal statements, on film, videotape, and audiotape (collectively the “Recording”).  I acknowledge that BID, in capturing my presentation, will become the copyright owner of the Recording.  To the extent I have any rights in the Recording, I hereby assign all my rights, title and interest in and to the Recording to BID.  I hereby provide BID consent to display and provide the above Recording and related presentation materials via the BID website and/or virtual platform, including:
  • The video and audio Recording of my presentation,
  • the use of my name and/or image in photos, video, internet transmission or other media in connection with promoting the presentation and the conference.
• I also grant BID, its Fiscal Sponsor, and its successors, assigns, and licensees a royalty-free and unlimited license to broadcast, display, reproduce, edit, exhibit, and distribute the Recording, any and all written or verbal material I submit as part of my presentation (“materials”), and any derivative works created from or with it, over television, cable, the Internet, by creating CDs or DVDs, or by any other communication medium for educational or non-commercial purposes. Despite the above, Breakin' It Down has the right to use the presentation content description as part of its application package to CFRE International, to be an approved Continuing Education credit in support of  conference participants seeking continuing CFRE education credits.. BID also retains the right, at its sole discretion, to choose whether to archive the footage of the Recording, and whether to use it for any other purpose. I acknowledge that in accordance with the license provided herein BID has the right to display and provide the Recording and materials via the BID website.
• I give permission to BID to use the Recording, my name, likeness, voice, and biographical information and any other information about me in connection with the advertising, promotion and public relation efforts relating to the presentation and the conference in any and all media, now known or hereafter created without any compensation to me.  
• Speaker agrees that no portion of the resulting media created at the Event, containing Speaker’s name, biographical information, quotes, photographs, or recorded interviews needs to be submitted for any approval.

REPRESENTATIONS

I warrant and represent to BID that:

• my presentation and materials are my original work, factually accurate, and contains nothing libelous or otherwise unlawful;
• I am the sole owner of every aspect of my presentation and my materials, or if my presentation or my materials require permission, including, but not limited to, pictures, clip art, songs, sounds, video, and written/printed content, I have obtained a written permission or license from the copyright proprietorthe presentation and materials will not infringe on the rights of others, and that I have full power to grant the licenses and enter into this agreement; and
• before submitting my presentation, I will de-identify (remove) personal data/information/images in any form (written, audio, visual, video, or other) that could identify a person who has not explicitly consented to that person’s personal data/information/image being included in my presentation or my materials and I understand that this may require deleting, masking, blurring, pixelating, distorting, cropping, or modifying the data in other ways.

PERMISSION TO BREAKIN' IT DOWN TO CHARGE FEE

Speaker grants permission to Breakin' It Down the right to charge a fee for attendance at the presentation as part of the 2025 Breakin' It Down Conference.  Subject to the above License, Speaker does not grant Breakin' It Down the right to sell the materials to third parties outside of 2025 Breakin' It Down Conference participants or the right to relicense the Presentation and Materials, without Presenter’s prior written permission. 

EVENT REGISTRATION

• I  will receive one complementary registration to the BID conference. I agree to coordinate with BID, to register for the conference and comply with the BID’s Terms and Conditions of conference Participation.
• I understand registrations are only transferable in the event  that a Speaker who can no longer participate identifies a replacement Speaker who is approved by the Program Committe.

COMPENSATION

• I understand and agree that I am not entitled to any compensation or revenue from BID in connection with my participation unless previously discussed and agreed upon in writing.at the BID conference or with the display of the Recording.
• I understand and agree that I am not entitled to any compensation or revenue from BID in connection with the display of the Recording or materials.
• I understand and agree that any expenses incurred to participate in this presentation are my responsibility and I will not be reimbursed by BID unless previously discussed and agreed upon in writing.

CONTENT AND PRESENTATION GUIDELINES

• I will deliver the workshop as described in the proposal, ensuring alignment with the event's goals and objectives.
• I understand that the views and opinions expressed at the conference will be mine and not those of BID.  I further understand and agree to abide by the following guidelines about presenting at the BID conference.
• I agree and affirm that I have read and accept BID’s Non-Discrimination Policy and as a Speaker will refrain from statements or offensive humor, which would disparage the dignity of any individual or group.   
• I understand that failure to comply with this Agreement and/or to adhere to these guidelines will result in their being removed from the schedule and ineligibility to apply for participating as Speaker at future BID event.

CODE OF CONDUCT, POLICIES, AND TERMS  AND CONDITIONS

I agree to comply with the BID’s Event Conduct and Safety: Code of Conduct.

• I agree to follow all BID policies and terms and conditions as well as instructions upon agreement and while participating at the BID conference found at: https://breakinitdownchicago.org/terms-and-conditions.
• Individuals who violate these policies and terms and conditions may not be invited to speak at future BID conferences.

I understand that my contact information may be shared with event participants in accordance with BID's Privacy Notice.

CANCELLATION

BID shall have the right to cancel the presentation or conference and terminate this agreement with Speaker at any time and for any reason, effective immediately, on written notice to the Speaker.

FORCE MAJEURE

• I understand that if the presentation or the conference is prevented due to acts of God, government restrictions, flood, fire, earthquake, epidemics, shortage of adequate power or transportation facilities, embargoes, war, invasion, hostilities, riots or other civil unrest, strikes, labor stoppages or slowdowns, or other industrial disturbances, or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of myself or BID which makes it impracticable, illegal, or impossible to hold the presentation or conference, either myself or BID shall not be responsible to the other party for failure or delay in performance of its obligations to conduct the presentation or the conference. Either party will immediately notify the other if the presentation or conference cannot move forward as planned.

INDEMNIFICATION  

• I agree to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend BID from and against any losses, liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and all other costs of defense, arising out of any third-party claim or threatened claim against BID arising out of any actual or alleged breach of the representations or warranties made by me.