Submit a proposal for the 2026 Leadership Gathering

Your organization is unique.
The support you get should be too.

The 2026 Leadership Gathering invites proposals for Tracks and Workshops that strengthen organizations, develop people, and deepen community impact across Central Appalachia.

Jointly hosted by the Brushy Fork Leadership Institute and the Berea College Appalachian Fund, the Leadership Gathering is a regional convening dedicated to building resilient organizations, cultivating effective leaders, and supporting thriving communities. Grounded in service, collaboration, and practical tools, this gathering equips leaders with systems, skills, and strategies that reduce burnout, increase sustainability, and strengthen long-term impact.

Whether you’re stewarding an organization through transition, building board capacity, refining your data systems, or shaping a more compelling community narrative, we invite you to share tools and practices that move leadership from intention to action. If you'd like to preview the questions, you can do so here.

When: September 16-17, 2026
Where: Berea College | Berea, KY

Our Focus Areas

This year, we are prioritizing sessions that strengthen three interconnected dimensions of leadership

1. Organizational Development & Leadership

Priority topics include:

  • Fundraising & Financial Diversification – Grant strategy, donor stewardship, board engagement, corporate partnerships, and earned revenue models that support long-term sustainability.
  • Succession Planning & Organizational Transitions – Reducing person dependence and supporting healthy leadership transitions.
  • Strategic Planning & Systems Thinking – Aligning mission, operations, and long-term sustainability.
  • Impact & Evaluation Systems – Using data for sense-making, learning, and storytelling—not just reporting.
  • AI & Automation as Efficiency Tools – Practical applications that streamline administrative work and reduce capacity strain.
  • Board Development & Engagement – Effective governance practices that strengthen organizational stability.
  • Organizational Self-Assessment Tools – Frameworks that help organizations identify strengths and growth areas.

2. Personal Leadership Development

Priority topics include:

  • Preventing burnout and cultivating sustainable leadership practices
  • Trauma-informed approaches (TIC) in leadership and community work
  • Effective communication & reducing interpersonal friction
  • Reducing over-reliance on individual leaders through shared leadership models
  • Personal growth practices that strengthen clarity, resilience, and adaptability

3. Community Development & Engagement

Priority topics include:

  • Community engagement strategies that build long-term participation
  • Storytelling & Ethical Narrative Practices
  • Narrative structure
  • Social media strategy
  • Amplification strategies
  • Video storytelling basics
  • Community-centered communication practices
  • Collaborative partnerships that expand capacity and shared ownership