25 Years & Beyond: More Aligned. Better Connected. Ready to Act.

Stronger communities and a healthier democracy call on us to be more grounded, strategic, and collaborative than ever before. Our work across public life is deeply connected, but too often develops in separate networks, sectors, and fields.

If we want the larger shift toward civic and democratic renewal so many of us seek, good work cannot keep happening in parallel. We need a clearer shared picture of how our efforts fit together, where they can reinforce one another, which priorities we need to align on, and clearer pathways for taking action together.

That is what we are building toward at NCDD2027, and we want you to be part of it.

For three days in Chicago, 500+ practitioners, organizers, researchers, public leaders, facilitators, funders, communicators, and changemakers will come together from across the civic ecosystem to learn from each other, build relationships, deepen collaborations, and strategize about where greater alignment and coordination can create the most leverage and impact.

NCDD conferences are known for being highly participatory, co-created gatherings. To celebrate NCDD's 25th anniversary, we are designing NCDD2027 as a new type of activation point where relationships become collaborations, ideas become shared initiatives, and we further strengthen the infrastructure our civic renewal ecosystem needs to coordinate and act together over time.

Expect meaningful conversations, hands-on learning, and opportunities to contribute your own experience and perspective. We hope you leave energized, supported, and better prepared to put what emerges into action.

Come ready to help shape what comes next.

NCDD2027 Conference Registration

May 18–20, 2027 | Chicago, Illinois