Join us March 20, 2025 for a day of convening, connecting, and building toward a more equitable world. 

Third Sector New England, Inc. (TSNE) is a capacity building organization that partners with nonprofit organizations to provide the services, programs, and resources they need to support their communities and create a more equitable society. We work with organizations to mitigate barriers, like access to resources and capacity, by ensuring they have the financial, staff, and additional support they need to operationalize their work. In doing so, we partner with organizations to increase sustainability, help do their work more effectively, and lead change. To learn more, visit www.tsne.org

The ‘Equity Forward: Creating a Just World Together’ Conference is a one all-day in-person event with an evening reception. The Conference will feature community leaders from the non-profit, government, corporate, and philanthropic sectors and amplify how we all can center equity in all facets of organizational life.  

Bringing together passionate nonprofit and philanthropic change agents, the conference will provide a platform to exchange ideas, develop strategies, and forge collaborations to create meaningful change in your organization. 

In addition to plenary sessions, we’ll host a series of workshops and practicum sessions. Practicum sessions center around application of knowledge through practice on a specific topic, while workshop sessions provide a broader conversation about ideas and solutions for the sector.

Equity Forward will happen in-person Thursday, March 20th, 2025, at the University of Massachusetts- Boston Campus, 100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125 – Campus Center. Sessions will take place in the University Hall and Campus Center Buildings (2min walk between buildings) 

TSNE is celebrating its 65th Anniversary and over our history, we’ve met immeasurable challenges and successes as we’ve committed to building a more equitable and just world. Our work doesn’t exist alone. Our collaboration, partnerships, and connections across the country, state, and sector have given us the opportunity to make space for building something even deeper: a chance to co-create a movement towards building equity.  

Hotel accommodations are not included. Attendees are responsible for arranging their own travel and lodging.  

Yes, we recommend the following hotels located within proximity to the venue: 

• DoubleTree by Hilton Boston Bayside, 0.9 miles from campus 
  • 240 Mt Vernon St, Boston, MA 02125 

• Courtyard Boston – South Boston, 2.0 miles from campus 
  • 63 R, 63 Boston St, Boston, MA 02125 

• Boston Marriott, Copley Place, 4.1 miles from campus 
  • 110 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02116 

• Residence Inn by Marriott, Boston Cambridge, 6.6 miles from campus 
  • 120 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142 

This webpage will include all visitor parking information: https://www.umb.edu/transportation/visitor-resources  

Parking on-campus is $15/day. There is ample space in the Campus Center Garage (gated/utilizes chaser tickets) and the Quad Lot (open/used the Passport App for payment). Those two lots will be closest to the Equity Forward Conference (University Hall building & Campus Center Building). 

Registration opens at 8:30am. The Opening Plenary starts at 9:30am with the first session starting at 10:45am. The conference ends at 5:00pm. The evening reception starts at 5:15pm. 

You can find our full and final schedule here and on our Groupize conference app. In the meantime, this is what to plan for:  

Thursday March 20th, 2025

• Registration + Breakfast 
• Opening Plenary 
• Session 1 – Panel Discussions 
• Luncheon Plenary 
• Wellness Zone starts at lunch and is available throughout the day 
• Session 2 - Presentations 
• Birds of a Feather Table Talks 
• Session 3 - Presentations 
• 65Forward Cocktail Reception 

No. To ensure the safety and security of all attendees, anyone who would like to attend the conference must be registered. 

• Access to all conference programs, including keynote sessions 
• Breakfast and Lunch Buffet 
• Access to conference app 
• Conference swag and related conference materials 
• Access to the ‘65Forward’ Cocktail Reception 

*Registration does not cover the cost of hotel rooms, transportation, or parking. Please reserve your hotel room and arrange travel separately. 

Thanks to generous support from our sponsors, we will offer a limited number of complimentary registrations to nonprofit staffers who would not otherwise be able to attend Equity Forward. Please contact [email protected], with the subject line: 'Equity Forward Scholarship Request - 'Name of Organization'

All guests must also be registered conference attendees. 

Yes. During registration, select the sessions that interest you. If your preferences change on the day of the event, you will have the option to switch as needed. 

Birds of a Feather Table Talks are intimate gatherings designed to build community, learn nonprofit best practices, and share challenges and successes. Connect with leaders across fundraising, evaluation, organizational development, marketing/communications and more, as they facilitate discussions and opportunities to learn and deepen your expertise. 

No. We will record the Plenary sessions to share with registered attendees post-conference. If you would like to access the recordings, you must register for the event. We aim to record and share as much of the content as we are able. Content will be available to attendees about a month after the conference (a handful will eventually be shared publicly a couple months out). Breakout sessions will not be recorded. 

We aim to provide reasonable accommodation to ensure an equitable experience for all. TSNE will provide ASL interpreters by request for all Keynote Sessions and Breakout Sessions, accessible seating, dietary accommodation for allergies, etc.

If you require specific accommodation to participate fully in the event, please let us know as soon as possible. You can include this information when registering for the event or contact us directly at [email protected]. Requests made as soon as possible before the event will allow us the best opportunity to accommodate your needs.

The most important thing is that you come as you are and feel comfortable! If you’d like a guideline, business casual is a great option, but it’s not a requirement. 

Please be aware that Equity Forward is a fragrance-free event. We aim to maintain a welcoming and accessible environment for everyone who uses this space. Please refrain from wearing scented products such as perfumes/colognes, scented lotions, clothing with strong detergent scents, etc. while using this space as they can trigger serious health issues for those with fragrance allergies. We appreciate your cooperation in making this area accessible! Thank you for your consideration for all members of our community.

Yes, we will have a coat check available for your convenience. Please note that while coats can be stored, attendees are responsible for their own bags and personal belongings. We recommend keeping valuables with you.  

If you feel unwell before or during Equity Forward, please do not attend or halt participation if you are on site. 

We ask you to please stay home and not attend Equity Forward if you have tested positive for COVID-19, are awaiting COVID-19 test results, have COVID-19 symptoms, or if you have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who has symptoms of COVID-19. 

To discuss partnership opportunities and/or explore ways to support specific TSNE efforts beyond the conference, please contact [email protected].

Please email [email protected] and a member of the Equity Forward team will be in touch as quickly as possible.