PHOTO PROVIDED The Elevate2 conference featured an assortment of workshops and sessons.

The Community Giving Foundation and First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania recently partnered to host Elevate2, a groundbreaking new regional nonprofit conference held in mid-October at Bucknell University.

“Designed to empower nonprofit leaders across six counties in the Susquehanna Valley, the event drew over 200 attendees from 146 nonprofits eager to enhance their skills, share experiences, and forge meaningful connections,” a news release said. “Elevate2 provided a much-needed platform for nonprofit professionals in the region, where access to professional development is often limited by budget constraints. The conference showcased the power of collaboration between the two foundations, whose combined resources created an impactful learning and networking experience for all involved.”

“Our goal with Elevate2 was to inspire and strengthen nonprofit leaders by offering them high-quality education and collaboration opportunities, tailored to the challenges they face every day,” said Erin Ruhl, First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania’s director of community engagement, according to the news release. “By listening to the needs of nonprofit staff and volunteers, we designed a conference that directly addressed their most pressing concerns.”

The conference featured a keynote address from Shawn Achor, New York Times bestselling author known for his expertise on happiness and leadership. In addition to Achor’s keynote, the event included a diverse range of workshops and sessions on essential topics for nonprofit success, such as leadership, fundraising, marketing, grantmaking and board governance.

Over 30 local and regional leaders shared their expertise, including representatives from Work Wisdom, Ryan Leckey Media, Senators Gene Yaw and Lynda Schlegel Culver, former school superintendent Harry Mathias, and Davie Jane Gilmour, retired president of Pennsylvania College of Technology, among others.

“Elevate2 reflects the shared commitment of both foundations to recognize and support the essential role nonprofit organizations play in enhancing community well-being,” the news release said. “Built on feedback from local nonprofits, the conference ensured that every session was relevant, actionable, and tailored to the needs of nonprofit professionals, volunteers, and board members.”

“Nonprofits are the backbone of our communities, and the work they do is invaluable,” explains Kara G. Seesholtz, president and CEO of the Community Giving Foundation. “By offering Elevate2, we hope to elevate their efforts, provide a space for innovation, and foster collaboration that will amplify their impact across our region.”