The COVID Pandemic hindered a lot of in-person activities; however, since the Pandemic, it was the first time the Upswell Summit has been held in person
The 2023 Upswell Summit brought together nonprofit organizations Social Venture Partners (SVP) Dallas and Independent Sector to discuss nonprofit advocacy, trust, and impact issues.
The Summit provided a central meeting place for more than 600 nonprofit and foundation leaders to discuss ways to increase public participation in the non-profit sector.
“The public’s belief that nonprofits will “do the right thing” is one of the central reasons the sector exists,” said Dr. Akilah Watkins, Independent Sector President, and CEO.
“For the fourth year in a row, as long as we’ve been producing our Trust in Civil Society research, nonprofits remain among the most trusted institutions in America. Communities have relied upon nonprofits to provide education, culture, life-sustaining services, environmental stewardship, and places of refuge for centuries.”
Nonprofit organizations such as Independent Sector are recognized for their significant role in addressing societal needs and promoting positive change.
They operate with a mission-oriented approach, filling gaps in essential services such as education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and environmental conservation.
Watkins explained that non-profits need to let the public know what organizations are doing to help their friends, family, and neighbors and how they can get involved.
Nonprofit organizations often count on donations and volunteers to help spread the word about social services that are provided.
“When you volunteer, you help hold up the foundation of civil society. Volunteers help their neighbors, serve their communities, and provide their expertise. No matter the kind of volunteer work they do, they contribute in valuable ways,” said Watkins.
“Volunteering is a critical form of engagement with nonprofits that strengthens the nonprofit workforce and drives trust in the sector.”