2026 Conference

PAST CONFERENCES | 2026 LOGISTICS | 2026 PROGRAM + SPEAKERS

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NOVEMBER 16-17, 2026 | LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

The 2026 Conference

The national gathering for leaders strengthening civic life in America

Join civic leaders, funders, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders for NCoC’s annual convening exploring the ideas, data, and collaborations shaping the future of civic health in the United States.

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Why Lexington, KY

For the first time, NCoC will host its annual conference in Lexington, Kentucky. Named a national model for strengthening American democracy by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, Lexington boasts an active and engaged citizenry that models that spirit of participation and community connection that has been at the heart of NCoC’s work for the last 80 years.

Lexington is also a city where NCoC has forged rich partnerships. For the conference, we will collaborate with leading place-based civic organization CivicLex and our longstanding partners at the University of Kentucky. And we recently announced that we will be expanding the American Conversation Project in Knight cities across the country, of which Lexington is one.

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2026 Co-Chairs

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THE 2025 CONFERENCE AT A GLANCE

300+

attendees

27

volunteers

28+

states/countries represented

Past conferences have included attendees from organizations, companies, and academic institutions such as AmeriCorps, C-SPAN, Carnegie Mellon, Center for Democracy Innovation, CF Leads, Gates Foundation, Institute for Citizens & Scholars, Knight Foundation, Markup, MIT, Mott Foundation, National Institute for Civil Discourse, New Profit, Northeastern, NPR, Omidyar Network, UN Foundation, US Census Bureau, US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, in addition to elected officials and authors.

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Why Attend?

In a critical year for our democracy — the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and another opportunity to choose our leaders — NCoC will convene experts and practitioners to explore what it takes to build civic infrastructure with intention and sustained action.

The national convening for civic health leaders, NCoC’s conference reflects the culmination of 80 years of measuring, strengthening, and investing in civic life — all anchored by the belief that democracy requires active citizenship.

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This Conference Is For

• Civic health leaders
• Government leaders and/or policymakers
• Philanthropic leaders and funders
• Researchers and data experts
• Nonprofit and public sector leaders
• Journalists

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What to Expect

• Keynotes and fireside chats with civic leaders from across the country
• Collaborative problem-solving and workshops led by thought leading attendees
• Cross-sector networking
• Actionable tools and resources you can bring home

This year’s conference is anchored around an unconference format, where session topics are determined by attendees on-site rather than set in advance. There’s just as much expertise in the audience as there is on stage, and with the world moving as fast as it is, this format ensures every voice is heard and time together is spent on the topics and issues that are relevant in the moment. Attendees consistently point to time with peers in the field as one of the most valuable parts of this conference, so this year’s design is built to maximize both casual and formal engagement — moving beyond passive listening into real participation. Details on how to submit session ideas will be sent to registered attendees in the final weeks before the event.

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Sponsor

A place-based social investor, Knight Foundation partners with the 26 communities where John S. and James L. Knight once owned and operated newspapers — strengthening local institutions, backing new ideas, and helping proven solutions grow. Lexington, Kentucky is one of those Knight cities, and we’re grateful for the Foundation’s long-standing support of the NCoC Conference, as well as our American Conversation Project Youth Track.

To learn about sponsorship opportunities, email contact@ncoc.org.