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Call for Session
Frequently Asked Questions​​​​
When is the deadline to submit proposals?
Friday, May 2, 2025, 11:59pm Pacific Time.
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What questions are asked in the Call for Sessions submission form?
You can preview the questions before submitting your proposal via our Submission Form Overview. Final proposals will be submitted through the official proposal form hosted on Jotform.
Do I need to submit my proposal all at once, or can I save and edit before submitting?
Before starting the submission form, please read through the questions on our Submission Form Overview
The official proposal form is hosted on JotForm. While JotForm lets you log in and save your progress to return later, we strongly recommend drafting your answers in a separate document beforehand for a smoother process. Once you’re ready, you can copy and paste your responses into JotForm and submit the form in one sitting.
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Who can submit proposals for the Call For Sessions?
Anyone can submit a session proposal. All proposals will be evaluated based on their alignment with the criteria outlined on the Call For Sessions page
Call For Sessions proposals shape the breakout sessions at the Unity Summit. They provide the opportunity for PSOs, funders, and other philanthropic actors to contribute to the program, whether through collaboration with communities or sharing their own work. In contrast, Unity Summit mainstage plenaries are curated by CHANGE partners.
What are the goals of the Unity Summit?
The 2025 Unity Summit goals are to:
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Advance philanthropy grounded in justice and solidarity to build power toward collective liberation.
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Amplify intersectional social justice practices in philanthropy that challenge structural and institutional inequities across ability, class, gender, race, and sexual orientation.
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Magnify CHANGE partners' community priorities with an intersectional approach.
Proposals should align with one or more of these goals to support collective liberation and justice in philanthropy.
Are there themes for the 2025 Unity Summit?
The overarching themes of the 2025 Unity Summit are:
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Mobilizing and Power Building
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Protecting Our Communities
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Lifting Up What’s Working and What Didn’t Work
How do sessions that are chosen fit into the 2025 Unity Summit?
Chosen sessions make up the “breakout” content held between main stage plenaries and will run concurrently with other sessions. Sessions may be offered either virtually or in-person.
Who are the participants of the Unity Summit?
The Summit brings together the communities and members of the ten CHANGE partner organizations:
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Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP)
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ABFE - A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities (ABFE)
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Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP)
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Funders for LGBTQ Issues (FLGBTQI)
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Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP)
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Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP)
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Neighborhood Funders Group (NFG)
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National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP)
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Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity (PRE)
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Women’s Funding Network (WFN)
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And collaborators in the work.
The Unity Summit is predominantly a space for philanthropic professionals and those interested in progressing the sector - including non-profit professionals, board members, researchers, community and movement leaders, artists, consultants, and more. At the 2023 Unity Summit, one out of every two participants was a newcomer, reminding us that the Summit draws people at all stages of their journey toward justice.
What criteria will be used to review and consider session proposals?
For the 2025 Unity Summit, all sessions must build practical skills, equip participants with tools, and offer actionable strategies & tactics. Proposals will be evaluated based on their alignment with the criteria listed on the Call For Sessions page. As for every Unity Summit, the Planning Committee also aims for diverse formats and speaker representation.
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What does an ideal session proposal include?
There is no single ideal standard beyond completing the official proposal form. Just focus on completing your form with as much detail as possible about your speakers and session format. Sessions should build practical skills, equip participants with tools, and offer actionable strategies & tactics they can put into practice as soon as they step out of the room.
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How were the criteria for sessions created?
The criteria were created by leadership from CHANGE Philanthropy partner organizations and members of the Unity Summit Planning Committee. The Planning Committee is composed of members from all ten CHANGE partner staff as nominated by their organizations, as well as CHANGE Philanthropy staff and the Convening Toward Liberation Event Team.
What if our session doesn’t perfectly align with the format options listed?
To the best of your ability, please select the options in the official proposal form that best fit your proposed session. If you’d like to provide more details about your vision, please do so in the “Anything Else You’d Like Us to Know?” section at the end of the form.
What if I don’t know my speakers yet?
Please share a proposed list of potential speakers who are likely to work with you and would make ideal panelists or co-presenters for your session. If available, include specific names. Please also describe the key qualities you’re looking for in speakers (e.g. lived experience, roles, community affiliations, organizations, etc.), even if the speakers are currently hypothetical.
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Can a potential speaker be listed on multiple proposals?
Yes, a potential speaker can be listed on multiple proposals. However, we ask that each individual present in only one breakout session.
If multiple proposals featuring the same speaker are selected for the Unity Summit, the speaker will be asked to choose which one breakout session they would like to present in. An individual may still be selected for both a breakout session and a plenary session if invited.
Could our session include virtual speakers alongside an in-person session?
No, all sessions must follow a single format. In-person sessions require all speakers to be present in-person, while virtual sessions require all speakers to participate virtually. This ensures the best possible experience for both participants and speakers, given logistical constraints.
What if I do not yet know my speakers’ availability to present in-person vs. virtual?
If you’re unsure about your speakers’ availability, please indicate your preferred format in the official proposal form. Please share any other details you have in the “Any Additional Information” section at the end of the form.
How will virtual sessions be presented?
On a live virtual stream like Zoom (technical details to be coordinated with session leaders and speakers closer to the event).
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Can sessions be edited after selection?
Yes, but the final presentation should stay true to the general intent and focus of your original proposal. We expect that small adjustments and refinements are likely as you prepare your session. If selected, you will have a chance to finalize your session description before we launch our event platform a few weeks before the Summit. In some cases, if two selected proposals are very similar, we may invite you to consider collaborating or combining your sessions.
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Speakers must be finalized several weeks earlier than the event platform launch. Exact timeline will be communicated after sessions are selected.
How do I know if my submission was received?
Following your completion of the official proposal form, you will be directed to a webpage that confirms receipt of your submission. You will also receive an email confirmation with a copy of your application answers.
Who will review the session proposals?
The 2025 Unity Summit Planning Committee will review proposals and determine the final selections. The Planning Committee is composed of members from all ten CHANGE partner staff as nominated by their organizations, as well as CHANGE Philanthropy staff and our Convening Toward Liberation Event Team.
How many sessions will be chosen?
We are in the process of finalizing this number. Given the volume of submissions and limited session slots, final session selections will be competitive. For the 2023 Unity Summit, approximately 30% of submissions were selected.
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How will I know if my session is chosen or not?
You will be contacted Summer 2025 to learn the status of your session after consideration by the Planning Committee.
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What is the speaker registration fee for the 2025 Unity Summit?
There will be a discounted registration rate for speakers. Registration will open in early Summer with exact details, and we will update this question on the FAQ as more detail is confirmed.
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Why do speakers need to pay to present at the Unity Summit?
Our hope is that speakers participate in the entire conference in addition to presenting at their session. Therefore, speakers are asked to pay the lowest registration fee to honor their contributions to the program while helping cover attendance and production costs. Scholarship opportunities will be communicated through Unity Summit e-communications. Sign up here if you are not already receiving the messages.
What funding options are available to support participation?
Discounted registration rates are available for:
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Those who register during the early bird period.
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Members of any CHANGE partner organization.
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Speakers.
Additionally, a limited number of scholarships will be offered. All funding options will be communicated through Unity Summit e-communications. Sign up here if you are not already receiving the messages.
When do scholarships and registration go live?
Registration is slated for late summer 2025. Scholarship opportunities will be communicated through Unity Summit e-communications. Sign up here if you are not already receiving the messages.
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Will the Call For Sessions submission deadline be extended?
Given the large number of submissions received within the submission window in past years, we do not anticipate the ability to extend the deadline. Any deadline extensions will be communicated through Unity Summit e-communications. Sign up here if you are not already receiving the messages.
Who can I contact with additional questions?
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For technical questions about the form or issues with the Call For Sessions submission site, contact programming (at) conveningtowardliberation (dot) com
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For content-related questions, contact unitysummit (at) changephilanthropy (dot) org
Please note that CHANGE cannot review or provide feedback on session proposals outside of the formal review process. To be considered, all proposals must be submitted through the official proposal form hosted on Jotform by April 24, 2025, 11:59 pm Pacific Time. For guidance, please consult the Call For Sessions page for the full list of criteria.
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