Top Volunteer Management Conferences in the U.S. for 2026: Dates, Locations, and Insights

Introduction:

Are you a nonprofit leader, volunteer coordinator, or social impact enthusiast looking to elevate your skills and connect with like-minded professionals? The 2026 calendar is packed with dynamic volunteer management conferences across the United States, offering a wealth of opportunities to learn, network, and grow. From technology-focused gatherings to sector-specific workshops, these events are designed to inspire innovation and empower leaders to create meaningful change in their communities.

In this blog, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the must-attend volunteer management conferences for 2026, complete with dates, locations, and key highlights. Whether you’re seeking fresh ideas, actionable strategies, or a platform to share your expertise, these conferences promise to equip you with the tools and connections needed to make a lasting impact. Read on to discover which events are perfect for your professional journey!

1. Society for Healthcare Volunteer Leaders Annual Education Conference

• Date: March 12 - 14, 2026

• Location: Perdido Beach, Alabama

• Overview: This conference brings together healthcare volunteer management professionals from across the country, offering educational sessions and networking opportunities to enhance volunteer programs within the healthcare sector.

• Link: SHVL Conference

2. America’s Service Commission's National Service Training

• Date: April 14-16, 2026 (In-person); April 29-30, 2026 (Virtual)

• Location: Dallas, Texas

• Overview: This training event gathers volunteer leaders to discuss nonprofit sector trends, foster collaboration, and share best practices. It is geared towards AmeriCorps State program and fiscal staff, state and territorial service commission staff, and commissioners.

• Link: ASC Training

3. Nonprofit Technology Conference 2025

• Date: March 10–13, 2026

• Location: Detroit MI and Virtual

• Overview: An annual gathering focused on improving the world through skillful and equitable technology use, offering nonprofit professionals insights into technology best practices and opportunities to network with a like-minded community.

• Link: NTC 2026

4. National Extension Conference on Volunteerism

• Date: TBD

• Location: TBC

• Overview: Designed for Cooperative Extension professionals who coordinate volunteer services, this conference offers an opportunity to share and learn about the latest trends and research in volunteerism, focusing on improving volunteer management efforts.

• Link: NECV 2025 (2025 link, 2026 not yet published)

5. Points of Light Conference 2026

• Date: June 22-25, 2026

• Location: Washington DC

• Overview: This annual three-day conference is designed to bring together social impact leaders across sectors, providing inspiration and resources to empower nonprofit, government, business, and civic leaders to make a bold impact in their communities.

• Link: Points of Light Conference

6. Volunteers of America National Conference

• Date: June 5–8, 2026

• Location: Denver, Colorado

• Overview: Gathering over 600 leaders in housing, healthcare, and human services, this conference focuses on creating healthy communities through innovation and inclusivity, offering sessions and networking opportunities for professionals in these sectors.

• Link: VOA National Conference

7. MAVA Volunteer Engagement Leadership Conference

• Date: June 11 - 12, 2026

• Location: TBC Minnesota

• Overview: Hosted by the Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration, this conference aims to harness the power of volunteerism to deepen community impact through education, advocacy, and the promotion of best practices in volunteer engagement.

• Link: MAVA Conference

8. Central Illinois Volunteerism Conference

• Date: June 11, 2025

• Location: Springfield, Illinois

• Overview: Focusing on "Strategic Volunteerism: Connecting Passion with Purpose," this conference explores how volunteers and nonprofits can create lasting impact by aligning passion with meaningful causes, offering sessions and networking opportunities for volunteer managers and nonprofit professionals.

• Link: CIVC 2025

9. Al!ve Volunteer Management Hybrid Conference

• Date: 18-20 March, 2026

• Location: Sacramento, California (In-person and Online)

• Overview: This conference is designed to empower volunteer engagement professionals to showcase the tangible financial impact of their work, providing strategies and tools to advocate for budget protection or program expansion within their organizations.

• Link: VMHC 2026

10. GAVA Conference 2026

• Date: TBC

• Location: TBC Hybrid (In-person and Online)

• Overview: The summit brings together volunteer-engagement professionals from across the state for community-building, learning and problem-solving, and has previously features speakers like Amanda Bisgaard, Director of Volunteer Strategy & Engagement at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

• Link: GAVA 2026

11. TVMC Conference 2026

• Date: TBC

• Location: TBC Texas (In-person and Online)

• Overview: Attendees will explore volunteer-management tools and strategies around recruitment, engagement, retention, digital tools, and leadership—plus enjoy networking opportunities and resources for professional growth.

• Link: TVMC 2026 (2025 link given, 2026 not published yet)

12. DOVIA Conference 2026

• Date: TBC

• Location: TBC Colorado (In-person and Online)

• Overview: The annual Colorado Conference on Volunteerism (CCOV), organised by DOVIA Colorado, takes place in-person and is designed specifically for volunteer engagement professionals across Colorado to connect, learn, and share best practices.

• Link: DOVIA 2026 (2025 link given, 2026 not published yet)

Have we missed any? Let us know and we can add other conferences to the article.