Conference Schedule Information

2:00 pm                         

Conference Registration Opens

Attendees can sign in, collect their conference program and materials, confirm their pre-registration activities and sessions, and learn about newly scheduled events and other planned activities.

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Pre-Conference Volunteer Event

Roll up your sleeves with your GMN colleagues and do some good for the city of Seattle. GMN is excited to host a pre-conference offering to connect, give back, and learn about our host city. This service experience will be organized by Seattle Works, a HandsOn Network affiliate, at a local public school where we will lend some much needed human capital and gain a first-hand experience of how the grant dollars we administer are so crucial in our communities.

Dress comfortably and in clothes that can hold a little dirt. Transportation will be provided from the Hyatt to the site and back. Participation is limited so sign up early to reserve your spot for this unique opportunity.

Provided with support from a grant from Blue Shield of California Foundation

7:00 am

Conference Registration Opens

Attendees can sign in, collect their conference program and materials, confirm their sessions, and learn about newly scheduled events and other planned activities.

7:30 am - 9:00 am

Welcome Breakfast

Meet and reconnect with colleagues!  There will also be breakfast roundtable for newcomers (and others) to make new connections.  Seasoned GMN members will be available to answer questions about the conference and connect attendees with similar interests.

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Exhibit Booths Open

9:00 am – 10:00 am

Opening Plenary

Speaker: William H. Gates, Sr., Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Mr. Gates who guides the vision and strategic direction of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will discuss the current state of philanthropy and what the future may hold.

10:00 am - 10:15 am

Networking

10:15 am - 11:45 am

Concurrent Sessions Round A

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Lunch Roundtables

An opportunity to connect with others from your local area.

1:00 pm - 1:15 pm

Networking

1:15 pm - 2:45 pm

Concurrent Sessions Round B

2:45 pm - 3:00 pm

Break

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Concurrent Sessions Round C

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm       

Reception

Join your colleagues at one of the most recognizable landmarks in Seattle, the Space Needle, for a fun and entertaining event.

7:30 am - 9:00 am       

Breakfast

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Exhibit Booths Open

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Roundtable Discussions

Meet colleagues with shared interests or with similar responsibilities, issues, and challenges.

10:00 am - 10:15 am

Networking

10:15 am - 11:45 am

Concurrent Sessions Round D

Networking

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Lunch/Annual Meeting

Learn about the business of the Grants Managers Network and help us chart the course for the coming year. The agenda will include a report on GMN’s activities and financial health, a vote on proposed revisions to the bylaws, and the election of Board members. Following the annual meeting, GMN's volunteer teams will meet to discuss their work with the membership.

1:30 pm - 1:45 pm

Networking

1:45 pm – 3:15 pm

Concurrent Sessions Round E

3:15 pm - 3:30 pm

Break

Concurrent Sessions Round F

GMN Volunteer Appreciation Happy Hour

GMN volunteers are invited to a happy hour to toast their accomplishments over the past year and receive a heart-felt thanks from GMN leadership for everything they do to make this organization (and the conference!) a success.

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Dine-Arounds

Join your colleagues for a fun, informal night on the town.

7:30 am - 9:00 am        

Breakfast

Exhibit Booths Open

9:00 am - 10:30 am

Concurrent Sessions Round G

10:30 am - 10:45 am

Break

10:45 am - 12:15 pm

Closing Plenary

Join  Lucy Bernholz and Phil Buchanan for a lively discussion of the future of  philanthropy. What changes are coming? How will grants managers be impacted?  What role will technology play? How can we prepare ourselves to take advantage  of future opportunities? This promises to be a thought-provoking debate between  two of philanthropy's leading thinkers.

12:15 pm

Conference Ends

12:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Post-Conference Event 

The Puget Sound is a place of stunning beauty and natural wonders: home to whales, eagles, herons, seals, salmon and millions of people. The health of the Sound is key to the region's quality of life and its economy. We’ll tour the Sound on our own private boat, the Lady Mary, and, while we can’t promise you’ll see a whale, you will see the vibrant and historic harbor, the colorful waterfront, spectacular city skyline, and the majestic Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges (weather permitting!). Joining us on the trip will be representatives from local nonprofit groups who will explain the work they are doing to protect and restore the Sound for future generations. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. 

(Space is limited – Pre-registration required)