Future of Philanthropy
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Boulevard in Sacramento
Get ready for another inspiring day with people who care deeply about giving back to the Sacramento region!
The Sacramento Region Community Foundation’s third annual Philanthropy Summit brings our community together to learn, connect, and celebrate the power of local generosity — and to imagine what the future of philanthropy can look like right here at home.
Secure Your Spot
Early bird registration ends July 31!
Join us for this year’s Philanthropy Summit: Future of Philanthropy. Spend the day with people who care about the Sacramento region and want to shape what giving looks like in the years ahead. Each tickets grants access to the full day’s activities, including lunch, and appetizers and refreshments at the evening mixer.
- Early Bird Registration (available through July 31): $75
- Regular Registration (starting August 1): $100
- Reduced Price Registration (limited, see below): $25
As a fundholder of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation or Yolo Community Foundation, you enjoy complimentary access. The Celebration of Generosity follows the day-long educational sessions at this year’s Philanthropy Summit. You are welcome to attend the entire day or join us for just the Celebration (4:30-6 p.m.) . We look forward to seeing you!
Use the unique link mailed and emailed to you to access this page and register. The link is also available in your donor portal. Please contact us at rsvp@sacregcf.org or (916) 921-7723 for assistance.
A limited number of reduced-price registrations are available to organizations with budgets under $100,000. To access one of these tickets, click here.
🎟️ Your Tickets
To prevent duplicate transactions, click Submit only once. We are not able to process refunds. Have questions? Email us.
Schedule
The Philanthropy Summit brings together a day of conversation, learning, and community. Below, you’ll find the full schedule. Plan your day in advance, or come ready to explore!
9 AM
Plenary Session
Welcome & Keynote
Join us for a warm welcome, an update on the Sacramento Region Community Foundation’s work across the region, and a look at the ideas shaping the future of philanthropy.
10:45 AM
Breakout Sessions
Breakout sessions offer practical ideas and fresh perspectives on philanthropy from all angles. Choose the conversations that speak to your interests.
Every session is open to all audiences. The label included with each session points you toward the ones shaped with you in mind. Sessions are subject to change.
Audience: All audiences
What if philanthropy was not transactional? What if giving could be joyful, collective, and rooted in community? This interactive workshop explores collective giving through the experience of the APIs RISE Fund and drawing on cutting-edge national research. This workshop challenges participants to rethink philanthropy, how decisions get made, and what it means to give with community.
Vince Sales
He/Him
Chief Executive Officer, Everyday Impact Consulting; Co-Chair, APIs Rise Fund
Vince A. Sales serves as co-chair of APIs Rise Fund, a giving circle hosted by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. He also works as CEO of Everyday Impact Consulting (EIC), a social impact organization providing services tailored to the unique needs of nonprofit, governmental, philanthropic, and corporate organizations to create social good.
Vince has more than 30 years of combined experience in higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic foundations. In his various roles, he has provided consulting services for strategic planning, community engagement and outreach, communications and media relations, government and community relations, policy/advocacy, community power-building, and fund development.
Vince completed his designation as a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving from the American Institute for Philanthropic Studies at California State University, Long Beach. Vince earned his BA in Mass Communications (with high distinction) from the University of California, Berkeley and an MPA (nonprofit administration emphasis) from San Francisco State University.
Yumi Sera
Donor, APIs Rise Fund
A member of APIs RISE, Yumi Sera established and led California’s Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications, directing statewide campaigns and a trusted messenger network of 100+ community-based organizations.
Audience: Nonprofits
From Passive to Powerful is a practical, hands-on workshop that helps nonprofit leaders transform their boards into active, accountable fundraising partners. Through real-world examples and interactive exercises, participants learn how to build a culture of accountability, strengthen board engagement, and create a strategic fundraising pipeline.
Dr. Dawnté Early
She/Her
President & CEO, United Way California Capital Region
A recognized leader in health equity, public health and mental health, Dr. Dawnté Early leads with the belief that real change happens in partnership with the community. Since January 2022, she has guided United Way to help 100,000 people across the region, including nearly 62,000 children, while investing $62 million in the community.
In 2021, Dr. Early made history as the first Black councilmember elected to the West Sacramento City Council and now serves on its first all-female council. She has been widely recognized for her leadership, including as a Sacramento Business Journal Most Admired CEO and Sacramento Observer’s 2025 Person of the Year. United Way was named in Sacramento Business Journal’s 2025 Fastest Growing Companies.
Prior to United Way, Dr. Early held leadership roles with California Department of Public Health and Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, where she advanced behavioral health and criminal justice reforms.
A proud UC Davis triple alum, Dr. Early holds a master’s degree in child development, doctorate in human development and a minor in quantitative psychology.
Amber Lovett
She/Her
Chief, Resource Development & Marketing Officer, United Way California Capital Region
Amber Lovett is Chief Resource Development and Marketing Officer at United Way California Capital Region, where she leads integrated strategies across fundraising, partnerships, brand visibility and community engagement to support children and families.
Over two decades, she has helped expand revenue, grow grant funding more than 524% since 2022, and support over $62 million in community investments reaching 100,000 people. She secured a $10 million MacKenzie Scott grant and helped launch the region’s first Guaranteed Income program. Amber has strengthened donor and partner networks, elevated the organization’s profile, and served as interim CEO in 2021, guiding a successful leadership transition. She is a Sacramento State alum.
Audience: Nonprofits
Local governments and nonprofits exist in a type of symbiotic relationship. When nonprofits are stable, it benefits everyone, especially local government agencies and area residents. During challenging times, a strong relationship between local governments and nonprofits is even more essential. Come learn about partnership and funding opportunities, and strategies for success.
Karen Baker
She/Her
Executive Director, Yolo Food Bank
Lucas Frerichs
County Supervisor, County of Yolo
Yolo County Supervisor Lucas Frerichs represents the cities of Davis and Winters, the campus of UC Davis, and the rural land of southwestern Yolo County.
Lucas has served on the Board since January 2023, and previously served as Mayor and Councilmember for the City of Davis from 2012-2022. Lucas also serves on numerous local agency boards, including serving as Chair of both First 5 Yolo and the Yolo Habitat Conservancy.
He is committed to advancing policy that promotes the ability of families, in all their forms, to have their basic needs met in safe, connected communities where there is opportunity for personal fulfillment, and access to protected natural resources.
Chevon Kothari
She/Her
Deputy County Executive, HHSA, County of Sacramento
11:45 AM
Lunch
Keep the conversation going with old friends and new faces who share your commitment to the region.
1 PM
Plenary Session
Come back together to celebrate some of the people who make generosity possible: This session includes recognition of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), California Capital Chapter’s National Philanthropy Day honorees.
2:15 PM
Breakout Sessions
Breakout sessions offer practical ideas and fresh perspectives on philanthropy from all angles. Choose the conversations that speak to your interests.
Every session is open to all audiences. The label included with each session points you toward the ones shaped with you in mind. Sessions are subject to change.
Audience: Nonprofits
We spend a lot of time talking about collaboration, yet many collaborative efforts fail to move from conversation to action. Drawing on lessons from initiatives across the Sacramento region, this session explores the most common threats to collective action — and the tools, structures, and leadership practices that help collaborations thrive.
Evan Schmidt
She/Her
Chief Executive Officer, Valley Vision
Evan Schmidt is the CEO of Valley Vision, a nonprofit civic leadership organization dedicated to advancing economic prosperity, social equity, and environmental sustainability through collaboration and data-driven action. Over the past two decades, she has helped design and lead complex cross-sector initiatives that bring together philanthropy, government, business, and community organizations to address regional challenges.
Evan’s work focuses on the conditions that enable collective action to succeed—including trust-building, shared governance, leadership resilience, and accountability. A recognized regional leader, Evan works at the intersection of philanthropy, public policy, community engagement, and systems change.
Audience: Donors
Dig into a treasure chest of giving strategies designed for your specific situation. In this interactive session, some of the Sacramento region’s leading philanthropic advisors will explore three real-world case studies showing how to give complex assets wisely, minimize taxes, and make a lasting impact on the causes you care about. Whether you’re new to sophisticated giving or refining your approach, you’ll leave with concrete ideas you can put to work right away.
Rebekah Rabiroff
She/Her
Director of Legacy Giving, Sacramento Region Community Foundation
Rebekah Rabiroff helps local people shape meaningful, lasting legacies that strengthen the community for generations.
Rooted in the belief that thoughtful philanthropy transforms communities, Rebekah brings extensive experience spanning the healthcare, performing arts, and higher‑education sectors. Prior to joining the Foundation, she served as Senior Director of Development at Sacramento State and held leadership roles at New Century Chamber Orchestra and Opus 118 Harlem School of Music, along with education and development positions at Carnegie Hall and the League of American Orchestras.
Rebekah holds an MBA from the City University of New York (Baruch College) and a BA from Mount Holyoke College.
3:30 PM
Breakout Sessions
Breakout sessions offer practical ideas and fresh perspectives on philanthropy from all angles. Choose the conversations that speak to your interests.
Every session is open to all audiences. The label included with each session points you toward the ones shaped with you in mind. Sessions are subject to change.
Audience: All
Ray Green
Executive Director, Improve Your Tomorrow
Hasani Johnson
Senior Director of Development
Madeline Porter
Director of Grantmaking Practice, James B. McClatchy Foundation
Viridiana Romero
Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Northern California Grantmakers
Audience: Nonprofits
Participants will learn a service-first approach to personal branding that builds credibility, thought leadership, and memorability without self-promotion. Through actionable frameworks, you’ll discover how to stand out in the age of AI, strengthen philanthropic support, amplify your mission, and create new opportunities for organizational growth.
Vanessa Errecarte
She/Her
Lecturer, UC Davis Graduate School of Management; Founder, Marketing Simplified
Vanessa Errecarte, M.A., M.B.A., is an award-winning lecturer who created and teaches one of the nation’s only for-credit MBA courses in personal branding at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management. She also teaches an array of other popular marketing courses and has been twice named Teacher of the Year.
Errecarte is the founder of Marketing Simplified, a widely recognized marketing consulting and training agency, a frequent speaker at major industry events, and a contributor whose insights have appeared in the Financial Times. Her bestselling book, Valuable & Visible, helps professionals and organizations stand out in the AI era. Errecarte serves on the Yolo Community Foundation board.
Audience: Nonprofits
Whether you lead a nonprofit, fund one, or sit on its board, you are asking the same question: Are we just surviving, or are we still moving toward something that matters and actually delivering on it? This session makes the case that in uncertain moments, clarity is the strategy. Nonprofit leaders leave with a practice they can use right away and philanthropists leave with better questions to ask.
Jose Alvarez
Alvarez Leadership Group
Jose Alvarez has spent 20 years helping organizations stay focused when everything feels uncertain.
Most recently, he was the senior HR partner to the CEO and executive team at Del Monte Foods, a $2 billion multinational. When the company entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy and moved through a complex sale, Jose kept 85% of the workforce intact and kept the team delivering through all of it.
He does not lead with programs. He leads with the problem in front of him and the people trying to solve it. He believes the organizations that thrive through uncertainty are the ones with leaders who know how to translate priorities into something every person on their team can see themselves in.
Jose has lived in the Sacramento region for 34 years.
4:30 PM
Celebration of Generosity
Sacramento Region Community Foundation’s annual mixer
An evening gathering that’s a tradition of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, the Celebration of Generosity features food, drinks, and community. Join us to celebrate the philanthropy that’s strengthening the Sacramento region, and to look forward to all that’s still ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Philanthropy Summit is a full-day gathering brought to you by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. Our goal is to inspire generosity, share practical knowledge about effective social impact, and spark collaboration among people and organizations working toward a more just and vibrant Sacramento region.
The Philanthropy Summit takes place Tuesday, September 15, at Cal Expo in Sacramento, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The final portion of the day, Celebration of Generosity, is the Foundation’s annual mixer, scheduled from 4:30-6 p.m. Attendance to any portion of the day requires a ticket.
The Philanthropy Summit’s primary audiences are:
- Local donors and philanthropists who care about the Sacramento region and want to give with more purpose and impact
- Nonprofit professionals, including staff and board members from organizations across the region
We also welcome professional advisors (accountants, attorneys, financial advisors, and consultants), business leaders, government officials, community members, media, and teams from fellow community foundations.
A limited number of tickets will be available at the door, so you’re welcome to join us even if you decide at the last minute. That said, advance tickets are offered at a significantly lower price, and getting yours ahead of time helps us plan for a great day, from seating to lunch counts. So if you already know you’ll be there, registering early is the easiest way to lock in the best price.
Yes! Your ticket includes access to the full day — plenaries, education sessions, lunch, and the Celebration of Generosity mixer — but you’re welcome to attend all or just part of it. You can let us know your plans when you register, and update them anytime if things change.
Yes! A boxed lunch will be provided, with light snacks available during the education sessions. At the Celebration of Generosity, you’ll enjoy appetizers and refreshments. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available throughout the day, and dietary restrictions can be indicated when purchasing your ticket.
We’re unable to offer refunds, and we apologize for any inconvenience. If you can’t make it, you’re welcome to transfer your ticket to someone else by updating the name attached to it using the link in your confirmation email. Or, if you’d prefer to donate your ticket to a community member, please let us know by emailing rsvp@sacregcf.org.
Yes. Cal Expo and the Summit’s spaces meet ADA requirements. If you have questions about accommodations, please let us know. We’re happy to help!
Complimentary parking is available at the venue. We also encourage attendees to consider public transit, rideshare, or carpooling. The Philanthropy Summit’s activities are a short walk from the parking lot, and golf carts will be on hand to help with the trip between the lot and the venue for anyone who’d like a ride.
Please wear what makes you feel most comfortable for educational sessions, networking, and celebrating.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering! Please contact Holly Wong, holly@communityeventco.com, for information.
Sponsors
This summit is made possible by partners who believe in the power of local giving. Their support brings our community together to imagine — and build — the future of philanthropy. We’re grateful for their generosity.
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Fundraising Academy at National University
Sacramento Venture Philanthropy
Bronze
Boutin Jones, Inc.
Education Sponsors
RCA Community Fund
A Charitable Fund of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation
National Philanthropy Day
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) California Capital Chapter celebrates the individuals and organizations whose generosity and leadership strengthen our community through the annual National Philanthropy Day Awards. These awards recognize the people and partnerships that inspire giving, service, and collaboration across the capital region, and whose commitment to philanthropy helps create lasting positive change.
Honorees will be recognized during the Philanthropy Summit.
A Successful Summit
Thank you to those who joined us at the 2025 Philanthropy Summit for a day of education and celebration alongside other people passionate about fostering a vibrant nonprofit ecosystem in the Sacramento area.
