This flagship program of the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence is the largest of its kind dedicated to education and professional development for fraternal foundation staff and volunteers. Seminar provides attendees with a forum to collaborate on advancing our organizations’ mission while also offering an opportunity to learn new strategies for our work and collaborate on shared business problems and network with peers. In addition, Seminar provides a chance to recognize outstanding achievements of FFE member organizations and individuals through Awards of Distinction.

August 31 - September 2, 2026

EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE NOW!

2026 SEMINAR REGISTRATION & COSTS

Registration includes programming and lunch on Monday, August 31, as well as all programming and meals on Tuesday, September 1. Also included is individual access to digital resources from FFE educational breakout sessions following the conclusion of the program.

FFE Member Organization Registration Rates:
• Early-Bird Registration, May 1 – June 30: $575
• Standard Registration, July 1 – July 31: $675
• Late Registration, August 1 – 14: $775

Note: The above are already discounted FFE Member Organization rates. Is your organization’s foundation an FFE member? If not, an additional $200 will be billed to your account following registration if your organization’s foundation is not an active member organization. Contact FFE Executive Director Will Foran to join/renew your FFE membership and have this fee waived. Both standard and emerging foundation membership dues available.

Interested in registering 8-10 from your organization? If you would like information about bundle pricing ($4,500 for up to 10 organization registrants) for your group to attend Seminar, contact Gretchen Foran by June 30 and include the number of attendees for both Dual Meeting and the CSO-Board Chair Symposium.

Awards of Distinction Reception & Dinner

FFE’s Awards of Distinction reception and dinner will take place on Tuesday, September 1. If you would like to purchase an additional ticket for another staff member not already attending Seminar or a spouse, family member, etc., they will need to register separately.

Looking to apply for Awards of Distinction? You can find more information on categories and the application / nomination process here

Dual Meeting Schedule

How to Register: Log into FS Central and complete the 2026 NIC Annual Meeting & FFE Seminar form on the Events tab. Select the "Monday & Tuesday (FFE Seminar only)" registration type.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Seminar benefits fraternal foundation staff in all functional areas, as well as volunteer and board leadership.

This shared educational experience offers staff and volunteers a full slate of programming aimed at expanding knowledge across the organization that drives greater benefit for each attendee and greater overall impact.

Educational sessions will engage the following areas of work or related roles within your organization: 
• Donor Loyalty, Retention & Stewardship
• Smart Use of Data, AI & Technology
• Annual Giving & New Donor Acquisition
• Major Gifts Pipeline Development
• Young Alumni/ae & Collegiate Member Engagement
• Volunteer & Board Leadership
• Collaboration between Foundations and Fraternities/Sororities
• Research-Backed Fundraising Strategies

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

Programming features a mix of keynote content, focused breakout sessions, guided small group discussions and networking over the agenda spanning two full days. Additionally, registrants are encouraged to opt into add-on experiences held before and after the meeting, including the Chief Staff Officer-Board Chair Symposium, NIC FGA Symposium, FFE Pre-Con Workshop or FFE Post-Con Workshops.

The curriculum is designed to help participants advance our organizations’ missions while also offering an opportunity to learn new strategies and tools, dig into shared business problems and collaborate in a variety of settings. 

Additionally, attendees get to participate in the time-honored tradition of FFE's Awards of Distinction banquet where the best foundation work from the past year is recognized and celebrated.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

Seminar content is curated specifically to cover a variety of curriculum areas for fraternal industry professionals and volunteers, including donor engagement and stewardship, annual and major giving, data-informed strategy, foundation leadership and cross-entity collaboration.

Attendees will leave Seminar with:
• A leadership mindset for your personal and professional success
• Clarity on what truly motivates major donors
• Fresh benchmarking context and trend analysis
• And much more!

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?

While some attendees participate in the Dual Meeting experience, which includes both the NIC Annual Meeting of Members and FFE Seminar, there are a few add-on experiences designed to meet the specific needs of our fraternal organizations and making the most of your time in Indianapolis.

Consider registering for one of the following pre- or post-con add-on experiences that supports your role:
Chief Staff Officer-Board Chair Symposium (Aug. 30)
NIC FGA Symposium
(FGA members only; Aug. 30)
FFE Pre-Con Workshop
(Aug. 30)
FFE Post-Con Workshops (Sept. 2)

2026 KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS

Everybody Pulls the Tarp | Monday, Aug. 31 from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Andrew Moses, Host, Everybody Pulls The Tarp

Podcast host & leadership expert Andrew Moses will share his trademarked ‘Everybody Pulls The Tarp’ success mindset and some of the most powerful life & career lessons he’s learned from his conversations with over 250+ Olympians, pro athletes, TV personalities, Broadway stars, Grammy winners, bestselling authors, & other high-performers. You’ll hear impactful stories, powerful inspiration, & actionable ideas to implement for your own personal and professional success.  

Our State of the Industry — By the Numbers | Tuesday, Sept. 1 from 8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Patrick Alderdice and Aaron Parker, Pennington & Company

For more than two decades, Pennington & Company has tracked the financial health of fraternity and sorority foundations keeping the interfraternal community informed on where the industry stands and where it’s headed. 
 
How does your foundation compare? Patrick Alderdice and Aaron Parker return to unpack the latest IRS Form 990 findings, setting current results against a 20-year backdrop of asset growth, fundraising totals, grantmaking, and program spending. This year’s session goes a step further, digging into the nuances behind the numbers and what they mean for your foundation’s benchmarking. 

Whether you’re navigating challenges or executing on the next visionary project, you’ll leave with fresh benchmarking context, trend analysis, and practical recommendations to help your foundation grow and thrive in the year ahead. 

 

The New Philanthropic Reality: Understanding  Affluent Donors in a Today’s Giving Landscape | Tuesday, Sept. 1 from 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Dianne Chipps Bailey, Managing Director, National Philanthropic Strategy Executive, Bank of America Private Bank

Charitable giving is changing—and fraternal foundations are on the front lines of that transformation. As philanthropy increasingly concentrates among a smaller circle of affluent donors, foundation leaders face rising expectations, generational shifts, and ongoing economic uncertainty. 

Drawing on the Bank of America Study of Philanthropy, this keynote will deliver timely perspective on the realities fraternal fundraisers face today. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how affluent households give, volunteer, and make philanthropic decisions. Throughout the session, data‑driven insights are paired with practical considerations that professionals can apply in partnership with boards and volunteers––building confidence and increasing success when engaging high‑capacity donors. 

Participants will leave with sharper clarity into what truly motivates major donors—including how economic and social forces are shaping donor behavior through 2026 and beyond. With access to the research report, foundations will be better equipped to include a data-driven lens when securing majors and transformational gifts, and to turn insights into lasting philanthropic impact. 

LOCATION & LODGING

The event will take place at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.

  • A room block is available at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown (IMD) for attendees. FFE rates start at $189/night + taxes/fees for reservations booked by August 17, 2026.
  • In the event the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown room block is fully booked before August 17, attendees will be able to book their stay at a nearby property secured by NIC & FFE. Available room rates, proximity and room types will be communicated at that time. 

Indianapolis Marriott Downtown
350 West Maryland Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225

Cancellation Policy for FFE rate: Hotel cancellations made 48 hours or less before arrival will be subject to a charge of one night plus applicable taxes.

ABOUT THE DUAL MEETING

Seminar is a part of the Dual Meeting (inclusive of the NIC Annual Meeting of Members and FFE Seminar). Because of this FFE is able to offer an even greater opportunity for fraternal industry peers to grow together.

Interested in learning more about Dual Meeting registration and costs for your team? Read more on the Dual Meeting page.

Questions?