52nd ANNUAL ARNOVA CONFERENCE
Nov 16-18, 2023 | Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista - Orlando, FL
Advancing the Public Good
in an Era of Disinformation, Mistrust, and Democratic Backsliding
The 52nd Annual ARNOVA Conference in Orlando, FL saw attendees from 27 countries and was the first ARNOVA conference for 237 of our 679 attendees! The conference covered a wide scope of topics within philanthropy, through 86 paper sessions, 5 Professional Development Workshops, 39 poster presentations, 37 panels, 3 lightning research roundtables, and 26 colloquia.
Few US states have moved more aggressively than Florida to enact legislation defined by its Governor, Ron DeSantis, as a "war on woke." He signed legislation codifying the denial of systemic injustices in public school curricula, limiting abortion access, barring the discussion of LGBTQ issues in schools, and banning gender affirming care for minors. Many ARNOVA members are deeply upset by these actions. Building on our role as scholars of nonprofit organizations, the plenary brought together leaders of different kinds of nonprofits (advocacy, litigation, and service). The panel discussed advocacy and collective efforts toward justice for the groups affected by this legislation and maintaining services when nonprofit missions are challenged by the state. The panel discussion offered a competing, more inclusive vision of the public good and the role nonprofits play in accomplishing that vision.
As a registered attendee, you can view a recording of the Opening Plenary here (log in required).
This event was followed by our Opening Luncheon, where we awarded the 2023 Distinguished Achievement and Leadership in Nonprofit and Voluntary Action Research Award to Richard Steinberg (read his remarks here).
The conference wrapped up its opening day on a high note with the "Reflections" Reception. We were surprised by Orlando's rainy weather, so our "Pool Party" Reception quickly turned into this cool indoor bash where attendees could unwind, connect, and reflect in the company of fellow scholars, researchers, and professionals.
Many of our attendees dazzled with silvery-shimmery outfits while they shared snacks and drinks and made new memories.
Following a day and a half of stimulating presentations and panels, attendees gathered for the 2023 Annual Awards Luncheon to recognize the accomplishments of the brilliant scholars and practitioners that we call our colleagues and friends (Meet the winners here).
We honored our retiring board member, Pier Rogers, for her service, welcomed our president-elect, Chao Guo, and cheered up for Margaret Sloan and Jason Coupet for being re-elected as treasurer and at-large member, respectively.
This luncheon, as well as the many receptions and sessions throughout the conference, were made possible by a number of generous sponsors, listed below.
Conference Sponsors
Premium Sponsors
- Andrew Young School of Policy Studies - Georgia State University
- Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, Baruch College
- Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership at Rollins College
- Evans School of Public Policy and Governance - University of Washington
- Gerald G. Fox MPA Program at University of North Carolina Charlotte
- Loyola University
- North Carolina State University
- Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly (NVSQ)
- Nonprofit Leadership Program University of Pennsylvania
- Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Indiana University Bloomington / Indianapolis
- Reubin O'D. Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, Florida State University
- Schar School of Policy & Government – George Mason University
- School of Public Affairs - American University
- School of Public Policy and Administration - Carleton University
- Sol Price School of Public Policy University of Southern California
- University of Central Florida School of Public Administration
Diversity Sponsors
- Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management, North Park University
- Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy, Department of Public Service & Administration, Bush School of Government & Public Service, Texas A&M University
- Graduate School of Public and International Affairs - University of Pittsburgh
- Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs - University of Minnesota
- Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
- Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School Applied Social Sciences - Case Western Reserve University
- Public Administration & International Affairs Department in the Maxwell School at Syracuse University
- Religion & Society Program – Aspen Institute
- School of Strategic Leadership Studies, James Madison University
- The William D. Ruckelshaus Center, Washington State University
- Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration George Washington University
- University of Nebraska at Omaha School of Public Administration
- University of Oregon, School of Planning, Public Policy, and Management
If you attended the conference and want to share your thoughts, please remember to complete the conference evaluation before the end of the year! To see all past conferences information, such as papers presented and online program, click here.
Follow the #ARNOVA23 hashtag on Twitter to see what attendees had to say and learn more about this year's conference - and be sure to follow us on Facebook to see more photos. We hope to see you next year for one of our upcoming conferences!
The 2024 ARNOVA conference will be held in Washington DC, home to the US Federal Government and headquarters of many domestic and international nonprofit organizations. This year’s conference theme provides us the opportunity to consider the intersections between the nonprofit sector, government, and public policy. We invite you to consider these intersections with emphasis on the increasingly tenuous relationships between nonprofits and government, opportunities and threats of the rapid acceleration of technology, and the role of growing influence of special interest groups on the work of the nonprofit sector.