Finding Abundance Symposium 2026

A day of learning, sharing, and connection across our community!

Join us For Funding Abundance: A Symposium 2026 graphic with logos and event details

Finding Abundance was a day of networking and professional development workshop for local non-profit workers.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural Finding Abundance Symposium, this day brough together non-profit organizations from across Guelph, Wellington & Dufferin County to share strategies, build relationships, and spark new ideas. Finding Abundance: A Symposium for Our Community was again held at the Wellington Catholic D.S.B. in Guelph, and was from 8:45-3 pm on Friday September 25, 2026.

The day included workshops and sessions covering a range of topics relevant to the non-profit sector. Non-profit professionals from across our community gathered to learn from the speakers and from each other, while creating opportunities to build peer relationships and share ways to overcome common challenges.

The program began with a morning plenary improv activity led by Ben Gorodetsky, setting an engaging tone for the day. Participants then chose from workshops led by Barbara Turley McIntyre (formerly of Co-operators) on the evolving relationship between charities and businesses, and Amy Estill (Collective Results) on practical strategies for grant funding success. In the afternoon, learning continued with sessions led by Katelyn Mitri (Taylor Newberry Consulting) on trauma-informed evaluation and Kris Cummings (Do/able Consulting) on working effectively with funders. These smaller group workshops created opportunities for discussion, connection, and shared learning. The day concluded with a plenary presentation by Glenna Banda (United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin), who explored community-centric fundraising and the role of equity, partnership, and collective impact in philanthropy.

Non-profit professionals from our community gathered together to learn, build relationships and share ideas. It was inspirational to see so many non-profit organizations being represented as we all came together to learn from each other and share ways to overcome common challenges in this sector.

We are thankful to our speakers for sharing their knowledge and expertise, and to all the attendees who contributed to such a meaningful day. We also thank WCDSB for once again hosting us in their wonderful space, and Domino’s Pizza for providing lunch.

This event was hosted by: United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin, Toward Common Ground, County of Wellington, City of Guelph & the Guelph Community Foundation.

We were delighted to welcome attendees back for a second year of Finding Abundance and look forward to continuing to grow this event next year!

A presenter (Sarah Haanstra) speaks from a podium to an audience, with visuals of a forest displayed on screens behind the speaker.
A facilitator leads an interactive group activity at the front of the room while participants respond and engage from their seats during a symposium.
Attendees engage in conversation in small circles during a networking exercise at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees engage in conversation in small circles during a networking exercise at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees engage in conversation in small circles during a networking exercise at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees engage in conversation in small circles during a networking exercise at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees engage in conversation in small circles during a networking exercise at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees engage in conversation and laughing in small circles during a networking exercise at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees engage in conversation in small circles during a networking exercise at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees participate in a small-group conversation during an interactive networking activity at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees participate in a small-group conversation during an interactive networking activity at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees participate at the front of the room during the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees participate in a small-group conversation during an interactive networking activity at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees participate in a small-group conversation during an interactive networking activity at the Finding Abundance symposium.
A presenter leads a workshop session while attendees seated around tables listen and participate in discussion during the Finding Abundance symposium.
A speaker presents to attendees during a workshop on building effective partnerships, with presentation slides displayed on screens at the front of the room.
A display of Domino’s Pizza boxes and a sign thanking Domino’s Pizza for providing lunch at the Finding Abundance symposium.
A workshop facilitator presents to attendees seated around tables during a session, with presentation slides displayed at the front of the room.
A workshop facilitator presents to attendees seated in circles during a session, with presentation slides displayed at the front of the room.
A workshop facilitator presents to attendees seated in circles during a session, with presentation slides displayed at the front of the room.
A presenter speaks to attendees during a workshop on community-centric fundraising, with presentation slides displayed on screens at the front of the room.
Attendees raise coloured cards to participate in an interactive audience activity during a workshop session at the Finding Abundance symposium.
A presenter speaks at the front of the room while attendees listen from the audience.
An event participant holds up a Guelph Community Foundation tote bag as their door prize from the Finding Abundance symposium.
A presenter (Sarah Haanstra) speaks from a podium to an audience, with visuals of a forest displayed on screens behind the speaker.
A facilitator leads an interactive group activity at the front of the room while participants respond and engage from their seats during a symposium.
Attendees engage in conversation in small circles during a networking exercise at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees engage in conversation in small circles during a networking exercise at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees engage in conversation in small circles during a networking exercise at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees engage in conversation in small circles during a networking exercise at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees engage in conversation in small circles during a networking exercise at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees engage in conversation and laughing in small circles during a networking exercise at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees engage in conversation in small circles during a networking exercise at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees participate in a small-group conversation during an interactive networking activity at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees participate in a small-group conversation during an interactive networking activity at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees participate at the front of the room during the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees participate in a small-group conversation during an interactive networking activity at the Finding Abundance symposium.
Attendees participate in a small-group conversation during an interactive networking activity at the Finding Abundance symposium.
A presenter leads a workshop session while attendees seated around tables listen and participate in discussion during the Finding Abundance symposium.
A speaker presents to attendees during a workshop on building effective partnerships, with presentation slides displayed on screens at the front of the room.
A display of Domino’s Pizza boxes and a sign thanking Domino’s Pizza for providing lunch at the Finding Abundance symposium.
A workshop facilitator presents to attendees seated around tables during a session, with presentation slides displayed at the front of the room.
A workshop facilitator presents to attendees seated in circles during a session, with presentation slides displayed at the front of the room.
A workshop facilitator presents to attendees seated in circles during a session, with presentation slides displayed at the front of the room.
A presenter speaks to attendees during a workshop on community-centric fundraising, with presentation slides displayed on screens at the front of the room.
Attendees raise coloured cards to participate in an interactive audience activity during a workshop session at the Finding Abundance symposium.
A presenter speaks at the front of the room while attendees listen from the audience.
An event participant holds up a Guelph Community Foundation tote bag as their door prize from the Finding Abundance symposium.
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