5 Conversations to have at BBBSA 2026

From June 15–18, 2026, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America will bring thousands of nonprofit professionals, agency staff, board members, youth, mentors, and community stakeholders to Atlanta for its annual National Conference. 

The four-day event is more than just a conference schedule packed with sessions and networking mixers. It’s a space where people passionate about youth mentorship and community impact come together to exchange ideas, solve challenges, and learn from one another.

The conference creates a rare opportunity for people from every side of the nonprofit space to come together in one place, share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. 

Between sessions, celebrations, and community-focused discussions, attendees will spend the week connecting with others who care deeply about youth support and long-term impact.

That is exactly what makes events like BBBSA 2026 valuable. Beyond the official agenda, the conversations happening throughout the conference often lead to the best ideas, strongest partnerships, and most practical takeaways. 

To help you make the most of BBBSA 2026, here are five conversations worth having while you’re there.

1. How can we keep our best mentors engaged?

One of the most valuable conversations to have at BBBSA 2026 is about mentor retention. Most organizations spend a lot of time recruiting mentors, but keeping great mentors engaged long term is often the bigger challenge.

Mentors are the foundation of every successful mentoring program, but burnout is real. Many volunteers balance mentoring alongside work, family responsibilities, and personal commitments. 

A lot of mentors do not leave because they stop caring. They leave because they feel disconnected, unsupported, or overlooked. Simple things often make the biggest difference. 

Regular check-ins, honest communication, and following through on promises help mentors feel like they are truly part of the team. Even short support calls or quick updates can help staff identify concerns before frustration builds up.

Recognition matters too. Most mentors are not looking for awards or big public attention, but they do want to know their time matters. A handwritten note, a personal thank-you, a milestone celebration, or sharing the impact they are making with a mentee can go a long way in helping mentors feel valued.

This is also a great opportunity to ask other organizations what is actually working for them. 

1. How often are they checking in with mentors? 
2. What kinds of recognition feel meaningful without adding extra pressure on staff? 
3. How are they identifying burnout early? 

These practical conversations are often more useful than any slide deck.

2. How can we deepen trust in our community?

Community trust is one of the most important things a nonprofit can build, especially for organizations working directly with young people and families. 

While nonprofits continue to rank among the most trusted institutions in the country, that trust is often built at the local level through consistent action and real community involvement.

Research shows that 69% of people are more likely to trust a nonprofit that works directly within their own community. That is why this conversation matters at BBBSA 2026. 

Organizations that actively show up in their neighborhoods, partner with local schools and businesses, and create opportunities for community participation often build stronger long-term relationships and support.

Volunteer involvement also plays a major role in building trust. In one survey, 79% of volunteers said volunteering gave them a more positive view of nonprofits, while 88% said they would volunteer again. When people feel included in the mission and see organizations following through on their commitments, trust naturally grows.

This is also a good time to discuss how organizations are creating more transparent and accessible relationships with their communities. And remember: trust is a two-way street. Listen to community feedback (especially from the families you serve) and adapt. 

The strongest nonprofit organizations are not simply working in communities. They are building alongside them.

3. How can we involve youth in program planning?

Organizations are realizing that programs often become more effective when youth are included in the planning process instead of simply being participants.

That is why “youth voice” continues to be a major focus in mentoring and youth development spaces. Many organizations are now creating Youth Advisory Councils, inviting youth representatives into planning discussions, and asking for direct feedback before launching programs or campaigns. 

The goal is simple: stop assuming what young people need and start listening to them directly.

At BBBSA 2026, this is a valuable conversation to have with other nonprofit leaders. 

1. What systems are helping youth feel comfortable speaking openly? 
2. How are organizations turning feedback into real changes instead of treating youth involvement like a checkbox exercise?

Even small steps can make a difference. A single brainstorming session, a youth-led social campaign, or inviting teens to participate in planning committees can create stronger engagement and better ideas. Many organizations are also adapting communication styles by using platforms young people actually prefer, such as texting or social media.

When youth feel heard and involved, they often develop a stronger sense of ownership in the program. Just as importantly, they bring fresh ideas and perspectives that adults may never think of on their own.

4. How do we build financial sustainability without burning out our team?

This is a conversation many nonprofit leaders at BBBSA 2026 will relate to immediately. 

About 60% of U.S. nonprofits operate on budgets under $50,000, often with only one or two paid staff members managing fundraising, programs, communication, and operations at the same time. With such small teams, fundraising can quickly become overwhelming.

That is why more organizations are focusing on simplifying and systematizing their fundraising efforts instead of constantly trying to do everything at once. 

Many experts recommend focusing on one strong campaign at a time rather than juggling multiple campaigns that pull staff in different directions. Reusing email templates, donation pages, and social media content from previous campaigns can also reduce workload significantly over time.

Automation is another important part of the conversation. Sending donation receipts, campaign updates, and thank-you messages automatically helps teams spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time building relationships with supporters.

Peer-to-peer fundraising can also reduce pressure on staff by allowing supporters and volunteers to help spread campaign awareness within their own networks.

The goal is to build fundraising systems that are sustainable for both the organization and the people running it.

5. How can we communicate donor impact to really move people?

Today’s supporters want more than generic updates or broad mission statements. They want to understand exactly how their contributions made a difference.

Research shows that 71% of donors feel more engaged when nonprofit communication is personalized. That means organizations need to go beyond saying they “helped the community” and instead connect stories with measurable results. 

Donors respond strongly when they see both the human side of the mission and the real outcomes behind it.

At BBBSA 2026, this is a great topic to discuss with other nonprofit leaders. 

1. How are organizations balancing storytelling with data? 
2. What kinds of updates are actually getting donor attention and encouraging repeat giving?

The most effective communication often combines testimonials, photos, or short videos with specific impact metrics like mentor matches created, graduation improvements, or youth participation numbers. 

Transparency also matters. When organizations openly share results and explain where funds went, donor trust tends to grow stronger.

Timing can make a difference, too. Quick post-event updates, campaign recaps, and simple messages showing what supporters helped accomplish can keep donors emotionally connected to the mission.

Ultimately, donors want to feel like they were part of creating real change. The clearer and more personal that connection feels, the stronger the long-term relationship becomes.

Let’s connect at BBBSA 2026 

BetterWorld will be at BBBSA 2026, and we’d love to connect! 

We have worked with more than 105,000 nonprofits, so we know how valuable it is to exchange ideas with people who understand the real day-to-day challenges behind fundraising, donor engagement, volunteer support, and community impact.

Whether you want to share what’s working for your organization, hear what other teams are trying, or simply take a break and have a good conversation with people in the nonprofit space, stop by and connect with us.

We’ll be around throughout the conference, at networking events, and during mixers, so if you see the BetterWorld team, come introduce yourself. 

We’d love to hear about your organization, your goals, and the work you’re doing in your community.

See you in Atlanta.