Leading Locally 2027 - FAQs
FAQs
Get answers to frequently asked questions about Leading Locally 2027. Still have questions? Reach out to us at conferences@cof.org.
If you do place-based work at a foundation or philanthropy-supporting organization, Leading Locally is for you! The conference is geared toward individuals, at all levels, working for community foundations and other place-based funders, as well as those who support that work.
Over 900 people joined us for Leading Locally 2025:
| Top Job Titles | Top Job Functions | Organization Types |
| CEO/Executive Director – 27% | Executive Leadership – 27% | Community Foundation – 34% |
| Director – 27% | Programs – 23% | Private Foundations – 28% |
| VP/Managing Director – 12% | Other – 22% | For-Profit Entity – 21% |
| Officer – 10% | Fundraising – 10% | Public Grantmaking Charity – 10% |
| Manager/Lead – 9% | Grants Management – 7% | Corporate Funder – 6% |
| Communications – 6% | Admin/ Finance/ Tech – 5% | |
| Admin/Finance/Tech – 5% | Other Council member types – 1% |
The Council on Foundations hosts two flagship conferences for the philanthropic sector, each designed to strengthen skills, deepen knowledge, and foster meaningful relationships. Both events feature concurrent sessions, plenary discussions, networking receptions, shared meals, and fun activities that highlight the culture of the host city of each conference.
The key difference lies in the central focus of each gathering. Leading Locally brings together place-based funders to explore strategies for creating greater impact in their communities. Building Together is an immersive learning experience where participants develop and practice the heartset, mindset, and skillset needed to work across differences.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on April 26, 2027, or when the conference sells out, whichever comes first.
InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown
900 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90017
You can find hotel and travel information, including a link to book the conference rate as part of our room block, on the Hotel and Travel page.
Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
For information about how to book a room at a reduced rate in our lodging block at our event venue, InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, please visit our Hotel and Travel page. Please note: the room block may sell out at any point and rooms may no longer be available.
Once the InterContinental is full, attendees will need to make reservations on their own. We will provide a list of alternate hotels at that time.
You can purchase registration for a pre-conference session when registering for Leading Locally. The pre-conference sessions include:
- Legal Matters for Community Foundations Workshop
- Career Pathways Alumni Homecoming
- Community Foundation Communicators Connect
- Building a Culture of Dialogue
You can find schedules, availability, and pricing on the pre-conference sessions page.
The Summit of Shaping the Future: Philanthropy & Public Policy will take place at the same time as the pre-conference sessions. Shaping the Future requires a separate registration. Find out more about Shaping the Future and register for the series.
Shaping the Future: Philanthropy & Public Policy will bring sector leaders together to debate bold ideas, explore possibilities, and develop recommendations for philanthropy’s future. Foundation leaders will examine how to modernize the regulatory framework governing philanthropy while strengthening our sector’s impact and independence.
Shaping the Future takes place through three distinct experiences:
- Ideas Ignite, a virtual conversation on the complex topics that can move philanthropy forward.
- The Summit, a participatory gathering, held at the same time as the Leading Locally 2027 pre-conference sessions, where attendees will shape a shared vision for philanthropy's future.
- Forward Together, an invitation to gather in Washington, DC to meet with policymakers to advance philanthropy's shared vision.
While The Summit takes place at the same time as the Leading Locally 2027 pre-conference sessions, registration for Shaping the Future is separate from Leading Locally 2027. Find out more about Shaping the Future and register.
Yes. The Council on Foundations welcomes attendee-hosted gatherings that support the conference's goal of fostering meaningful connections, networking, and collaboration among participants.
If you would like to bring attendees together for a meal centered on a shared interest, identity, or topic, consider hosting a dine-around on May 5, gathering at the hotel at 5:30 p.m. to depart for a restaurant of your selection. Requests are limited to one dine-around per organization and must be submitted by April 13. Learn more and submit a request on the Host a Dine-Around page.
To request space for a private gathering or if you have additional questions, please contact conferences@cof.org.
If you arrive early, but are not participating in a pre-conference session, we will have a facilitated L.A. excursion (RSVP will be required and available closer to the event). We also work with our Host Committee to develop a recommendation list of places to see and things to do that can be explored at your own pace. The Host Committee recommendation list will be available closer to the event.
All Leading Locally 2027 registration transfers and cancellations must be submitted in writing to registration@cof.org. All cancellation refunds prior to March 31, 2027, will incur a 10% administrative fee. No refunds will be provided after March 31, 2026. A cancelled registration can be transferred to another person without fees through April 30, 2027.
We are no longer accepting proposals for sessions.
Yes, please see the scholarship page for more information.