The Community Summit is a statewide gathering designed to educate, equip, and inspire Alabama’s nonprofit and community leaders. This full-day experience features hands-on workshops, expert insights, a resource fair, and meaningful networking opportunities that provide practical tools and real-world strategies for greater community impact.
Bringing together nonprofit professionals, funders, grassroots organizers, and partners, the Summit fosters collaboration, innovation, and shared learning. This will culminate in a celebratory Community Mixer to close out the day.
Attendees leave with actionable strategies, expanded networks, and renewed momentum to strengthen their organizations and the communities they serve.
-
![]()
"The Summit brings together leaders and stakeholders from different backgrounds to work together, share ideas, and form new partnerships. By joining forces, we can make a bigger difference, find new solutions, and help organizations better support their communities."
Vessie Simmons | Branch Manager | CCUFC
-
![]()
"We often work so hard for those (we) serve in our communities that we forget how valuable is to create connection with others who care and who are going through similar challenges. Such camaraderie helps to strengthen us, give us hope, and arm us with the energy and resources that can help our organizations better serve our communities, and this will be an awesome opportunity to build such networks!"
Megan York | Underwriting Account Executive | Alabama Public Radio
-
![]()
"Our state is full of people doing incredible work, but too often they’re doing it alone. This event creates space for connection, collaboration, and fresh ideas so that together, we can build stronger nonprofits and stronger communities across Alabama."
Rebecca Dye | Chief Operating Officer | Granted, LLC.
How It Started
The Community Summit began with a simple but powerful idea. Alabama’s nonprofit leaders and changemakers deserve a space created specifically for them. A space to learn, connect, and grow together. Recognizing the challenges nonprofits face, from funding and strategy to marketing and sustainability, the vision was to create a one-day experience that equips leaders with practical tools, fresh inspiration, and meaningful connections.
What started as a conversation about strengthening local impact evolved into a focused gathering designed to empower those doing the real work in communities across Alabama.
The Vision
The Community Summit was born from the vision of Ryan Davidson, who saw the need for a stronger, more connected nonprofit sector across Alabama. What began as a bold idea rooted in collaboration has grown into a statewide gathering designed to equip, unite, and elevate the leaders shaping our communities.
By bringing together nonprofit professionals, grassroots organizers, funders, and strategic partners, the Summit exists to foster shared learning, practical innovation, and lasting partnerships. The vision is simple but powerful: when leaders are supported, communities thrive.
The Impact
The Community Summit exists to strengthen the people strengthening Alabama. By bringing together nonprofit leaders, educators, students, board members, community advocates, and passionate changemakers, the Summit creates a space where ideas turn into action and collaboration turns into measurable progress.
No titles or credentials are required—just a commitment to growth and a heart for service. When diverse leaders gather with a shared purpose, innovation increases, partnerships deepen, and communities become stronger as a result.