Erasing the Sidelines
The Points of Light Conference is a global convening of nonprofit, government, business and civic leaders who connect, collaborate, gain and share the knowledge and resources needed to galvanize the power of people to create change. This year’s event will be the centerpiece of a yearlong celebration to mark Points of Light’s founding by President George H.W. Bush 30 years ago.
Civic life today requires that we look beyond traditional labels like “volunteer,” and empower people to express their desire to do good in ways that are meaningful to them: through the purchases they make, how they vote, in what they share on social media, where and how they choose to work, and what causes they support with their time or money.
June 10-12, 2020
Washington, D.C.
Past Conferences
2019 - St. Paul, Minnesota
The 2019 Points of Light Conference challenged attendees to not only ask “how do we get more people to volunteer to make change,” but also, “how can we create a society where it is easy for every individual to take action to accelerate change within their community around the world?”
Learn More2018 - Atlanta, Georgia
Hosted in the city that birthed the civil rights movement, the 2018 Points of Light Conference emphasized that through honest conversation and humble service of others, we can all come together to effect change.
Learn More2017 - Seattle, Washington
With themes of building movements across sectors, the 2017 Points of Light Conference brought individuals together around the shared belief that being in service of others can change the world.
Learn More2016 - Detroit, Michigan
Hosted in the Motor City, the 2016 Points of Light Conference demonstrated the power of partnership, and what can be achieved when nonprofits and corporations work together to tackle some of society’s most pressing problems.
Learn More2015 - Houston, Texas
From the opening plenary to the closing session, acting with urgency was a theme throughout the 2015 Points of Light Conference: disrupt the status quo, be impatient and be the spark that creates change.
Learn More2014 - Atlanta, Georgia
The 2014 Points of Light Conference inspired attendees to explore the relationship between the business and nonprofit sectors to create cross-sector alignment and help volunteer-driven organizations thrive.
Learn More2013 - Washington, D.C.
With a theme of Service Unites, the 2013 Points of Light Conference brought together corporations and nonprofits, and politicians from both sides of the aisle, to support volunteers from around the world.
Learn More2012 - Chicago, Illinois
The 2012 Points of Light Conference highlighted how volunteer management practices continue to evolve, and challenged attendees to think differently about solving problems in new and creative ways.
Learn More2011 - New Orleans, Louisiana
Focused on community-driven change, the 2011 Points of Light Conference showcased examples of engaging programs with tangible results, inspiring attendees to innovate and create similar programs that met their own community’s needs.
Learn More