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Register for the 2021 Breakin’ It Down Conference
In March 2020, no one could have anticipated or even thought how different the world would look one year later. During this time, the Breakin’ It Down planning committee reached out to our constituents of nonprofit, fundraising , and philanthropy professionals and community advocates by creating virtual programs that focused on effective communication and engagement, organizational and individual mental health and well-being, and crisis-resilience. The global pandemic has transformed the nonprofit fund development profession in ways none of us could have imagined. Its impact and evolving challenges are deep and pervasive, and demand a strategic and skillful response.   In 2021, Breakin’ It Down takes up the question of going beyond “back to normal.” Join us in exploring the theme “Resilience and Re-Imagining Tomorrow.” Together with nonprofit industry and community leaders, we will examine how we can use this moment to re-imagine current practices and build resilience with intention.  

About the Conference
The 2021 Breakin’ It Down Conference will be held virtually. This year, we take up the question of going beyond “back to normal.” Join us in exploring the theme “Resilience and Re-Imagining Tomorrow.” Together with nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising industry and community leaders, we will examine how we can use this moment to re-imagine current practices and build resilience with intention.  

Who Should Attend?
The Breakin’ It Down Conference is designed for diverse seasoned and emerging nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising professionals serving under-represented communities in the Chicago area. The conference is also of interest to community activists and students.

Each year the Breakin’ It Down Planning Committee brings individuals to our conference who focus on areas of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising. We are very pleased for 2021 to present our attendees with distinguished industry leaders. To learn more about 2021 BID’s Plenary Speakers and Workshop Presenters, click here.

2021 BID AGENDA  
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021   10:00 AM – 10:45 AM.

PLENARY PANEL
Registered participants will receive the unique Zoom link following registration but no later than October 14. The deadline to register with Zoom is October 16.  

Marketing + Social Impact: How To tell Stories That Uphold The Dignity Of Communities
Speakers:  Jess Myers, Fundraising Content Officer – Doctors Without Boarders (MSF) Canada  Mo Waja,  
Marketing Storytelling Expert and Fundraising Strategist & Digital Integration Specialist , Blakely (Ontario, Canada)  

11:00 – 11:45 AM. WORKSHOPS
Registered participants will receive the unique Zoom link following registration but no later than October 14. The deadline to select a workshop with Zoom is October 16.   

WORKSHOP 1 – Corporate Giving Through A Racial Equity Lens: How Corporate Funders Are Addressing Structural Racism and Racial Inequity
Presenters:    Joan Garvey Lundgren,Senior Director of Resource Development for The Chicago Community Trust Steven Shaw, Community Engagement Director at Verizon  

WORKSHOP 2 – Youth Leaders of Tomorrow: What Non Profits and Foundations Can Learn About Systems Change
Presenter:s  Tony Alvarado-Rivera, Executive Director of Chicago Freedom School Carlil Pittman, Founder and Executive Director of GoodKids Madcity  

WORKSHOP 3 – Budgeting For Change Presenter:  Angela Dowell, Chief Financial Officer of the Chicago Community Loan Fund   

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2021
Registered participants will receive an email with unique Zoom link following registration but no later than October 19, to select virtual tables. The deadline to select is 5:00 PM October 22.   

10: 00 AM – 11:30 AM. SPEED NETWORKING WITH FUNDERS
Each registered participant will have the opportunity to meet philanthropic leaders for approximately 20 minutes and will learn about the foundation’s funding priorities, parameters and grant application review process, and then move on to connect with the next philanthropic leader. There will be “meet and greet” rounds formatted in a small group setting using virtual breakout rooms. We encourage participants to prepare two to three questions they would like to ask and bring with them to the session.  

PARTICIPATING FOUNDATIONS (to date)
The Blowitz-Ridgeway Foundation Chicago Foundation for Women Crossroads Fund Robert R. McCormick Foundation Polk Bros. Foundation  

We’ll keep you updated on our website. To check for an expanded list, click here.  
2021 BID CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS
Conference Scholarships for the full 2021 Breakin’ It Down Conference are available, a value of $35. Anyone who is a nonprofit, fundraising, or philanthropy professional or student or community activist in the Chicago area is welcome to apply.

We especially encourage people from an under-represented group – including people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities – to apply.   The scholarships will cover the 2021 BID Conference registration fees for diverse nonprofit, fundraising, or philanthropy professionals and students and community who would otherwise be unable to attend without conference support. This Conference offers great opportunities for networking and professional development, especially for those serving under-represented and underserved communities in the Chicago area.  

Online applications are open. Early applications are recommended and encouraged as scholarships are limited. Applications will be accepted as funds allow and/or until scholarship spaces are exhausted. They must be submitted by 11:59pm on Friday, October 8, 2021, to participate in the 2021 Breakin’ It Down Conference. All applicants will receive a response by October 11, 2021.
PRICING AND PACKAGING
There are three ways to attend the virtual 2021 Breakin’ It Down Conference: Bundle, Sessions Package (October 22, 2021), and Speed Networking with Funders (October 29, 2021). Choose the best BID 2021 conference package for your needs and budget.
BID BUNDLES.
$35 The deadline to register is October 13, 2021.  

Our Bundle includes the complete conference:  

Friday, October 22, 2021
One (1) plenary panel session and one (1) workshop from a selection of three  

Friday, October 29, 2021
Up to three (3) Speed Networking with Funders sessions.  
SESSIONS PACKAGE.
$20 The deadline to register is October 13, 2021.  

Friday, October 22, 2021
Our Sessions Package gives registered attendees access to the Plenary Panel and one Workshop, from a selection of three.
SPEED NETWORKING WITH FUNDERS.
$20 The deadline to register is October 19, 2021.  

Friday, October 29, 2021 
Registered attendees will have access to up to three (3) speed networking sessions with Funders sessions.