Understanding the Difference Between Our Two Conferences

Partners in Mission offers two distinct national gatherings designed to strengthen every level of Catholic school leadership. While both share a commitment to mission, community, and practical excellence, each conference serves a unique purpose. The National Leadership Conference in Naples focuses on strategy and alignment, the “why” and “where” of your school’s future, while the Summer Institute in Chicago emphasizes execution and practice, the “how” of fundraising, enrollment, and communication success.

The Summer Institute in Chicago, Illinois 2026

For advancement, enrollment, and operations professionals

The Partners in Mission Advancement Summer Institute is the nation’s leading training program for Catholic school advancement and enrollment professionals. Over 400 participants gather each year to learn the latest strategies, tools, and trends in fundraising, enrollment management, and communications. This multi-track, high-energy conference offers practical, nuts-and-bolts sessions led by the full Partners in Mission team. Tracks include Advancement Services, Major Gifts, Annual Fund, Enrollment Management, Governance and Leadership, and specialized content for all-girls schools.

With morning general sessions and dozens of afternoon breakout sessions, attendees leave equipped with new ideas, systems, and practices they can implement immediately.

Ideal for:

• Advancement, enrollment, and communications staff
• Presidents, principals, and board members seeking operational insight
• Schools onboarding new staff or building cross-functional collaboration

The value:

• Hands-on, skills-based learning for every experience level
• Dedicated tracks for both new and seasoned professionals
• Cutting-edge content in AI, data management, stewardship, and donor relations
• Unparalleled networking within the Catholic education advancement community - great fun in the evenings!
  
  

The National Leadership Conference for Catholic Schools; Naples, Florida

For Catholic school presidents, principals, board chairs, and leadership teams

The National Leadership Conference for Catholic Schools is a high-level exploration of Catholic school leadership in today’s world. Interactive and immersive, it is an experience designed for the people shaping the future of Catholic education. Set in Naples, Florida, this intimate gathering brings together senior-level leaders and their teams i.e. presidents, principals, board leaders, and advancement and enrollment directors to think strategically about mission, leadership, and operational vitality.

Here, leadership teams step away from daily demands to reflect, plan, and strengthen the collective vision of their schools. Working sessions focus on Catholic identity, strategic decision-making, governance, culture, and sustainability. Attendees engage in small group work, peer presentations, and guided exercises using a structured workbook to clarify next steps for their institutions.

Evenings are intentionally unhurried, allowing space for relationship-building - with your own team, with your donors and alumni, and with other Catholic school leaders from across the country. Many schools pair the week with cultivation events or donor visits in Florida, making it both reflective and productive.

Ideal for:

• Presidents and principals
• Board chairs and senior leadership teams
• Schools preparing for major planning or capital initiatives

The value:

• Build alignment among your leadership team
• Strengthen strategy around mission and governance
• Work with senior PIM consultants, former superintendents, and presidents
• Return home with an actionable leadership plan and renewed energy

Why Attend Both?

The two conferences are intentionally designed to complement each other.

• Naples focuses on strategy, leadership, and alignment - the “why” and “where” of your school’s future.
• Chicago focuses on execution, systems, and practice - the “how” of advancement and enrollment success.