Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about registration, pricing, logistics and attending the San Diego Fundraising Conference presented by PNC Bank.
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About the Conference
The 2026 San Diego Fundraising Conference takes place Wednesday, September 9, and Thursday, September 10, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, 1 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101.
The San Diego Fundraising Conference is designed for nonprofit fundraisers and nonprofit professionals, executives, volunteers and board members responsible for building sustainable support for their organizations and communities.
The conference is unable to accommodate children or provide childcare services.
Yes. While the conference is rooted in San Diego’s nonprofit community, the topics, speakers and learning are relevant to fundraisers working in a wide range of organizational and regional contexts. Each year, we welcome attendees from outside the region who value thoughtful, practice-grounded learning.
The conference is an in-person experience. There will be no virtual component.
The fair market value of the conference tickets is $599. There is no charitable component to the conference ticket. We recognize that benefits were received for the full cost of the ticket.
Full participation in the conference will be eligible for CFRE credit, with the exact number of credits to be determined closer to the event.
Registration & Pricing
Registration closes on September 6, 2026 at 11:59pm or when capacity is reached.
Registration is completed online through our event platform. When you select “Register,” you’ll be directed to complete your purchase and receive a confirmation email.
Thanks to our sponsors, the San Diego Fundraising Conference ticket prices remain well below national conference rates, ensuring nonprofit professionals across the region and beyond can invest in their growth and their organization’s future.
Registration is offered in phases, with Early Bird registration providing the best value. Thank you to our 2026 sponsors for making this conference an incredible value for attendees.
- Early Bird: $279 (Through May 15)
- Standard: $349 (May 16 - July 31)
- Late Registration: $379 (August 1 - September 4)
Non-local registration is offered at a flat rate of $599 from ticket launch through September 6, 2026. The rate for attendees outside San Diego County reflects the full cost of the conference experience and helps sustain accessible pricing for San Diego–based nonprofit professionals.
Non-local registration is offered at a flat rate of $599 from ticket launch through September 6, 2026.
At this time, we do not offer scholarships or financial assistance for conference attendance. All participants are responsible for their own registration fees and related expenses.
A registrant may substitute another person for their registration if the change is made by Friday, August 28, 2026. The substitute person must be from within your nonprofit organization. Once a badge is picked up, it is non-transferable and cannot be substituted.
Registrations are non-refundable. There are no refunds or credits for the San Diego Fundraising Conference.
Conference Experience & Logistics
A registration confirmation will be sent to the email provided during registration on Whova, our conference management platform. Details about on-site check-in and badge pickup will be shared closer to the conference.
Parking is not hosted. The cost for self-parking is $20 per car at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. There are also alternative parking options near the hotel, and the San Diego Trolley stop (Gaslamp Quarter Station on the Green Line) is conveniently across the street.
Yes. Our conference hotel block start at $279 per night. Guests can reserve their room using this link or by calling 1 (800) 445-8667 and mentioning the group code "SDF". The cutoff date to book at the group rate is August 8, 2026.
We will offer food options to accommodate most dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free.
The agenda and session details will be shared in advance so you can review options and plan your experience. Attendees are welcome to move between sessions and tracks.
Seating for speaking and breakout sessions is unreserved and available on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage attendees to review the session schedule in advance and identify multiple options for each session block. Please note that the hotel prohibits overflow seating on the floor. If a session reaches full capacity, you may be asked to attend a different session.
Accessibility & Conduct
If you require special assistance to participate fully in the San Diego Fundraising Conference, contact sdfconference@sdfoundation.org or call (619) 814-1332 to reach the San Diego Foundation Donor Services team during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. SDF is closed on all U.S. federal holidays.
Please specify your accommodation requirement(s) at least 30 days prior to the event. An SDF staff member will contact you regarding your request.
Note: They have (12) elevators that access all floors of the hotel. A lactation room is located on the Indigo floor. A list of accessible amenities can be found on the hotel’s website here.
We expect all attendees, speakers and participants to conduct themselves with integrity and show respect for one another and the communities we serve.
The San Diego Fundraising Conference is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and harassment-free environment for all individuals - whether attending, presenting, or otherwise participating - regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, or religion.
Presentations, panel discussions, and other public remarks should be conducted in a professional and respectful manner. Content should be inclusive, free from discriminatory language, and aligned with the conference’s mission to create a welcoming environment for all.
Harassment in any form will not be tolerated. This includes conduct by or toward speakers, organizers, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, and attendees.
Anyone found in violation of these guidelines may face consequences, including removal from the event without a refund, loss of speaking privileges, and/or other actions deemed appropriate by the organizers.
Sponsors & Opportunities
The Speaker RFP period closed on March 9, 2026.
Yes. Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations that want to support the conference and connect with nonprofit fundraisers and leaders. Sponsorship offers meaningful visibility and alignment with our trusted nonprofit community.
If you are interested in sponsorship or exhibitor information, please contact sdfconference@sdfoundation.org.
Yes. The 2026 San Diego Fundraising Conference has limited exhibitor opportunities. We hope to welcome 20 partners and exhibitors this year.
If you are interested in sponsorship or exhibitor information, please contact sdfconference@sdfoundation.org.
Thank you for your interest in supporting our work. While there are no volunteer opportunities available for this year’s event, we would be delighted to have you join us as an attendee.
Communications & Media
Please contact sdfconference@sdfoundation.org or call (619) 814-1332 to reach the San Diego Foundation Donor Services team during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. SDF is closed on all U.S. federal holidays.
If you are interested in staying up to date on the San Diego Fundraising Conference, click here to subscribe today and receive email updates for current and future conferences.
Please contact Nancy Ives Schroeder at nancy@intesacom.com or
(619) 540-3751 regarding media inquiries.
Still Have Questions?
Contact sdfconference@sdfoundation.org and we’ll get back to you.
