Summit 2026 - True Charity Annual Conference for Nonprofits

“Attending the True Charity Summit is worthy of your time and energy. People with a passion to alleviate homelessness and poverty gather to inspire and equip each other in fulfilling their respective missions.”

—Jules Glanzer, 2025 Summit Attendee

Registration Opens in January 2026

We hope you’ll be able to join us for the

2026 True Charity Summit
April 22–24, 2026
Beach Church
Jacksonville Beach, Florida

If warm weather, the beach, and best practices of effective charity sound like a good combination to you, join us in April!

(Be sure to subscribe to our email list for Summit updates!)

Theme: ‘By Design’

The Image of God Upheld in Effective Compassion

Keynote Speakers

Michael Matheson Miller

Michael Matheson Miller has spent more than two decades challenging prevailing assumptions about poverty and advancing approaches that uphold human dignity, build local capacity, and promote lasting flourishing. As Senior Research Fellow and Chief of Strategic Initiatives at the Acton Institute, his work focuses on the intersection of economics, ethics, and human development, helping leaders think more clearly about what enables communities to thrive.

He is best known as the Director and Producer of the award-winning documentary Poverty, Inc., which highlights the unintended harms of well-intentioned aid and makes the case for solutions that unleash the creativity and agency of the poor. Michael also created several influential video series—including PovertyCure, The Good Society, and The Gospel of Work—that explore the vital roles of enterprise, social capital, and local institutions in resolving poverty.

As the director of Acton’s Center for Social Flourishing, Michael is leveraging his experience with entrepreneurs, scholars, and practitioners around the world to promote poverty alleviation strategies rooted in bottom-up empowerment rather than top-down dependency.

Rachel Ferguson

Rachel Ferguson advocates for community-driven, highly relational solutions to poverty, combining deep philosophical insight with years of hands-on work in her hometown of St. Louis, MO. Through her leadership with LOVEtheLOU and Gateway to Flourishing, she advances locally rooted, entrepreneurial approaches that strengthen social connectedness and equip neighborhoods to flourish from within.

She is the Director of the Free Enterprise Center at Concordia University Chicago, Assistant Dean of the College of Business, and Professor of Business Ethics. Rachel is also an affiliate scholar at the Acton Institute and co-author of Black Liberation Through the Marketplace. As a dedicated True Charity Network member and ambassador, she is committed to poverty solutions that honor human dignity, emphasize personal capacity, and foster long-term, community-led transformation.

James Whitford

James Whitford draws on more than 25 years of direct work with individuals in poverty to advocate for privately funded, challenge-oriented, outcomes-driven charity. In 2000, he and his wife, Marsha, co-founded Watered Gardens Ministries in Joplin, MO, where they shifted from a traditional handout model to a more relational, dignifying approach to poverty alleviation. That transformation ultimately led to the formation of True Charity.

As CEO of True Charity, James leads a national effort to equip nonprofits and churches with poverty solutions rooted in personal connection, empowerment, and local responsibility—rather than distant, government-driven aid. He has testified before the US House and Senate on issues of welfare reform and is also the author of The Crisis of Dependency, which explores how well-intended interventions can deepen poverty and outlines an empowering, freeing alternative.

Testimonials

“Attending the Summit was a truly enriching experience for our team. We left feeling encouraged, inspired, and deeply affirmed in our mission to alleviate poverty in rural communities. Being surrounded by like-minded ministry leaders not only reignited our passion, but also renewed our strength—filling our cups so we can continue to pour into the lives of those we serve.”

Andrea BridgesExecutive Director of The CARE Center

“The True Charity Summit was a breath of fresh air. It gave us practical tools, inspiring stories, and a reminder that we’re not alone in wanting to do charity in a way that helps people thrive. If you care about moving beyond quick fixes and really walking with people out of poverty, this Summit is for you. It’s not just a conference—it’s a recalibration for anyone serious about lasting change.”

John RamthunExecutive Director of 6:8

“This was our first True Charity Summit. After the first session, I looked at my husband and said ‘we have found our people.’ The tools, information, and testimonials supporting our efforts to continue our work through 100% private funding are so valuable! We will be back!”

Julie HugginsAdministrator, The Bridge of West Tennessee

“The Summit is such an inspirational time with other like-minded nonprofit leaders who have a heart for the poor. I was encouraged to hear others going through the exact same struggles (and victories) as us. I’d encourage anyone who’s calling is to minister to the least of these to invest in your leadership and send them to the True Charity conference!”

Grant BerryExecutive Director of Seen Heard & Known

“This summit provided us with new resources, new perspectives and valuable networking. Getting to learn about similar nonprofits making an impact in their areas encouraged and excited us. We are so excited to attend in 2026 as we spend this next year implementing some of the lessons learned!”

Stacie WhitlowFounder of Wings of Grace Ministries

Check out our 2025 Summit gallery:

Interested in learning more about Summit sponsorship and exhibition?

Explore 2026 Partnership Opportunities

booth at True Charity Summit conference exhibition

Chalmers Center booth at True Charity Summit conference exhibition

Mission Story Exhibitor booth at True Charity Summit exhibition

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the True Charity Summit for?

The Summit is best suited for anyone involved in poverty alleviation efforts through a nonprofit or a church.

Most of our attendees are staff members from nonprofits or churches with poverty alleviation programs, but we also welcome charity volunteers, donors and philanthropists, policy leaders, think tank leaders, and anyone else with a general interest in the topic of effective charity. If you’re looking for ways to empower those in need to leave behind poverty for good, this conference is for you!

Organizations with these types of programs are typically represented at the Summit:

Homeless shelters
Food pantries and co-ops
Church benevolence
Addiction recovery
Thrift stores and clothing closets
Adult education
Transitional housing
Foster care prevention and support
Residential life transformation programs
Transportation access
Christmas and Thanksgiving drives

What kind of content can I expect?

The content of our conference is designed to equip (not just inform) you to practice effective charity. We accomplish this through inspiring mainstage speakers, practical and relevant breakout sessions, and plenty of networking opportunities to help you meet the right people.

This is the kind of content we regularly include in breakout sessions and deep-dive workshops and intensives:

Foundational effective charity education to introduce newcomers to the effective charity movement
Innovative charity models to discover empowering, high impact alternatives to toxic charity models
Program design to learn how to take your charity programs to the next level through solid outcomes measurement, relational case management, and more
Fundraising and volunteerism to uncover strategies to retain donors, find new donors, and equip your volunteers for effective charity, so you can power your ministry for years to come
Infrastructure and leadership development to build a strong foundation for your organization with strategic infrastructure planning, while elevating your leadership skills to drive lasting change
Training on trauma-informed care, mental illness, effective adult education, and more to help you better meet each individual’s unique needs

What is the ticket price?

True Charity Network members and Resource Partners receive our lowest Summit ticket prices! Learn more about the Network here.

Members / Resource Partners:

Early Bird: $225
Late Registration: $270
Walk-in: $324

General Admission:

Early Bird: $276
Late Registration: $331
Walk-in: $397

When does registration open?

Registration opens in January 2026. If you’re not a True Charity Network member, make sure to sign up for our mailing list to receive the latest updates!

Are there opportunities to teach breakout sessions?

Absolutely! If you are a Resource Partner of the True Charity Network, please submit your proposal using this form: Resource Partner Summit breakout proposal form

True Charity Network members, along with anyone else interested in presenting at the Summit, may submit a breakout proposal using this form: True Charity Summit general breakout session proposal form

Are there sponsorship and exhibition opportunities?

Absolutely! You can explore and apply for sponsorship and exhibition opportunities here.

Is there a block of hotel rooms near the conference venue?

Yes! We have a special group rate at three nearby hotels: The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott ($159/night, 0.8 miles away), the Springhill Suites by Marriott ($239/night, 0.4 miles away), or the Holiday Inn Express ($135/night, 0.9 miles away).

You can book your room at the Fairfield Inn and Suites or the Springhill Suites at this link: Marriott hotels booking link

The booking link for the Holiday Inn Express is coming soon!