Bringing More Fundraisers Into the Conversation
Virtuous User Summit has always been about equipping our customers with the tools to grow generosity. In 2026, we’re expanding on everything that made User Summit successful and inviting the entire fundraising community into the conversation.
Respond ’26 (previously User Summit) is now open not only to Virtuous customers but also to the wider community of fundraisers, marketers, data leaders, and nonprofit executives.
If you’re looking to return home with new practices you can implement right away, this annual fundraising conference was built with you in mind.
Mark Your Calendar: May 27–29, 2026 in Dallas, TX
What You’ll Experience at Respond ’26
This is not a passive, listen-and-leave conference. It’s an immersive three-day experience designed to help nonprofit professionals practice Responsive Fundraising, connect across roles, and leave with tools and ideas that translate directly into action.
From practical workshops to real-world case studies, at Respond ‘26, you’ll experience a fundraising approach that’s responsive, data-informed, and built for today’s challenges.
Here’s what you can expect:
Harness the power of AI.
Face the future of fundraising head-on in our sessions. Hear from experts who’ve embraced artificial intelligence themselves, so you can leave feeling confident in how to implement AI into daily fundraising practices…without replacing human connection. Ask the questions you’ve been afraid to ask, and learn how to craft an AI policy that aligns with your mission.
Get hands-on with fundraising strategies that work.
Workshops throughout the conference blend technology, data, and human connection. Learn how to design donor journeys that scale personalization, upgrade one-time givers, rescue lapsed supporters, and embed responsiveness into your campaigns…guided by experienced fundraisers, Virtuous users, and experts in Responsive Fundraising.
Learn from peers seeing results today.
Hear directly from nonprofit leaders who are in the trenches. Join live AMAs (Ask Me Anythings), user panels, and topic-focused roundtables where you and your peers can share what’s working, what you’ve learned, and how you’ve overcome challenges. These are transparent conversations grounded in experience.
Earn credit while you grow.
CFRE-eligible sessions help you and your team earn professional credit as you build skills that translate directly into your day-to-day fundraising efforts.
Tailor your learning to your work.
Choose from seven distinct tracks aligned to specific roles and nonprofit sectors. Whether you lead development, manage data and reporting, run marketing campaigns, or shape strategy, you’ll find sessions built around the real challenges you face…and the tools and frameworks to solve them.
Connect with people who get it.
Networking doesn’t happen by accident at Respond ’26. Enjoy curated networking opportunities to meet peers in your role, share insights, and build lasting relationships that extend well beyond the conference itself.
Not Your Typical Fundraising Conference
So, what makes Respond ‘26 stand out from other fundraising conferences?
Most conferences deliver ideas but struggle to help attendees translate those ideas into outcomes.
Respond ’26 is different by design.
People learn more through hands-on experience with practical fundraising processes. In the end, this is the difference between returning home only to fall into the same daily routines vs. feeling confident and excited to implement something new.
More than sitting and listening, you’ll find yourself an active participant in sessions and workshops.
From how sessions are structured to who’s leading them, every detail is built to serve real fundraisers navigating real challenges. You’ll head home with practical, peer-driven insights that translate directly into Responsive Fundraising.
Less airtime. More action.
Who Should Attend Respond ’26
Respond ‘26 is for nonprofit teams looking to grow generosity through smarter strategy, deeper relationships, and modern tools.
Regardless of your nonprofit’s mission or cause, you’ll find relevant, actionable content designed for your sector and team structure.
Ideal for:
- Fundraisers and development professionals
- Nonprofit marketers and communication leads
- Operations and data managers
- Database administrators and CRM owners
Exclusive Opportunities for Virtuous Customers
Respond ’26 still delivers everything Virtuous users loved about the User Summit. Plus, more depth and direction than ever before. When you attend as a Virtuous customer, you’ll have access to dedicated product learning, time with our team, and exclusive pre-conference content.
Before the conference, join us for:
Pre-Conference Customer Learning Labs – May 27 ($499):
Tap into a full day of hands-on, expert-led learning designed to help you use Virtuous to its fullest potential. Start the day with Virtuous Founder and CEO Gabe Cooper in What’s Next for You and Virtuous: Growing Generosity Together, then dive into interactive labs focused on four essential tracks: data, reporting, automation, and fundraising.
You’ll work directly with Virtuous experts, explore advanced functionality, and leave equipped to bring greater confidence and clarity to your daily work.
Then, during the conference, enjoy:
Virtuous Deep-Dive and Product Sessions:
Discover how peers are using our fundraising products to increase retention, grow recurring giving, and automate donor engagement in smarter ways.
Access to the Virtuous Team:
Ask questions, explore new features, and collaborate with product experts to accelerate your use of Virtuous.
Join Us in Dallas
Whether you use Virtuous or not, join us for Respond ‘26, and you’ll leave with a practical roadmap to strengthen donor relationships and grow your mission-driven impact.
Respond ‘26 FAQs
Do I have to use Virtuous to attend Respond ’26?
Not at all. Respond ’26 is open to everyone in the nonprofit fundraising community. While we offer exclusive sessions for Virtuous customers, the entire event is designed to benefit fundraisers, marketers, and nonprofit professionals, no matter what tools you use. If your goal is to build stronger donor relationships and grow generosity, this conference is for you.
I already use Virtuous. Will Respond ’26 still be valuable?
Absolutely. Respond expands on the strengths of the original Virtuous User Summit, offering even more depth for customers. You’ll get access to hands-on product sessions, exclusive workshops, and direct time with our team to sharpen your use of Virtuous and extend your impact.
Who should consider attending?
Respond ’26 is ideal for anyone working in nonprofit fundraising and development. That includes:
- Fundraisers and gift officers
- Marketing and communications professionals
- Data and operations teams
- Executives and strategy leaders
- Development and advancement professionals
Whether you’re designing donor journeys, building reports, or leading a team, you’ll find sessions aligned to your role and practical strategies you can implement right away.
How is Respond different from the Virtuous User Summit?
Respond ’26 is the evolution of our User Summit, expanded to include the full fundraising community. While Virtuous customers will still find the deep product learning they rely on, the event now offers broader content, more diverse perspectives, and space for fundraisers of all backgrounds to collaborate, learn, and grow together.
What can I expect to leave with?
Practical ideas, proven frameworks, and meaningful connections. You’ll return with strategies you can implement immediately, clarity on how to apply responsive fundraising principles, and new relationships with people who understand your challenges and your mission.
