SOCAP26 Agenda
October 12-14, 2026 | 
Convene, Willis Tower, Chicago, IL
Three days of catalytic content, cross-sector collaboration, and bold solutions for advancing impact.
SOCAP Global will host its flagship conference in Chicago from October 12–14, 2026, marking a major milestone in SOCAP’s 18-year journey with the first move beyond San Francisco. Rooted in SOCAP’s mission to connect people at the intersection of money and meaning, SOCAP26 will spotlight the innovation, energy, and community-led impact emerging across the Midwest while convening a global audience committed to advancing social and environmental solutions.
Inspired by the positive response to Capital Connections Day at SOCAP25, SOCAP26 will emphasize participatory, action-oriented engagement across all three days—prioritizing interactive sessions, deeper relationship-building, and opportunities to connect around emerging models, financing strategies, and actionable partnerships. Designed to move beyond conversation toward practical collaboration and implementation, the agenda reinforces SOCAP’s commitment to strengthening connections between capital and impact and accelerating solutions long after the event concludes.
New Additions to SOCAP26
- Chicago Community Sessions—offsite experiences designed to bring our global community directly into the neighborhoods, organizations, and innovation hubs shaping the future of impact in Chicago.
- Capital Provider Experience—curated opportunities for LPs, GPs, investors, family offices, foundations, and other capital allocators to connect around emerging models, financing strategies, and actionable partnerships.
- SOCAP26 Tracks—reimagined for 2026 to reflect evolving capital flows, emerging solutions, and the cross-sector collaboration driving the future of impact.
- Track Opening Webinar Sessions—Virtual introductory webinars for each track will be offered ahead of the live event and recorded for later viewing, helping attendees prepare in advance and maximize time for collaboration and solution-building during SOCAP26.
What to Expect: Day-by-Day Highlights
Monday, October 12 – Welcome & Chicago Community Sessions
Through site visits and interactive engagement with local organizations driving meaningful change, attendees will gain firsthand insight into resilient, community-based solutions shaping the region. Designed as a dynamic entry point into the broader SOCAP26 agenda, these experiences ground the conference in lived realities, actionable innovation, and cross-sector collaboration from the very start. Advance registration for these sessions is required and will be available closer to the event (capacity for each session is limited).
Day One will also include two dedicated welcome sessions: one for first-time SOCAP attendees and another for capital providers—including LPs, GPs, investors, family offices, foundations, and other capital allocators. The day will conclude with welcome remarks and an opening celebration, creating intentional spaces for orientation, connection, and relationship-building at the start of the event.
Examples of What to Expect:
- SOCAP Newcomer Welcome session
- Capital Providers Welcome session
- Chicago Community Sessions at:
- Fillmore Center & North Lawndale community
- Chatham neighborhood & Green Era Campus
- More to be announced!
- Welcome Party & Opening Remarks
Tuesday – Deep Dives & Innovation
SOCAP25 Tracks’ State of the Field & Innovative Conversations
Day Two at SOCAP25 kicks off with powerful “State of the Field” sessions from each of the content tracks, offering key insights and setting the stage for two days of deep engagement. From there, attendees will take part in thought-provoking panels, interactive workshops, and curated networking designed to spark innovation, collaboration, and meaningful action.
 Examples of What to Expect:
- Breakout sessions by track (learn more about this year’s tracks here)
- Regional intentional networking sessions
- Collaboration track-focused Delegate-led sessions
- Solve-It! Session: Collaborate to tackle a real-world challenge together
- Experiencing & Honoring San Francisco: Walking Tour
Tuesday, October 13 – Solutions in Action
Day Two will bring our global community into participatory, solutions-oriented sessions spanning the five SOCAP26 tracks—from shaping capital systems and accelerating climate finance to advancing shared prosperity, inclusive infrastructure, and place-based innovation. Through workshops, collaborative roundtables, interactive panels, and cross-sector conversations, attendees will engage to unlock capital, strengthen local economies, scale equitable solutions, and design systems that expand opportunity for all. Dedicated experiences for capital providers and Midwest-focused programming will create additional opportunities for relationship-building, regional investment conversations, and practical collaboration.
What to Expect:
- Breakout sessions by track (learn more about this year’s tracks here)
- Capital Providers sessions
- ESO & BSO Networking
- Indigenous Leaders Networking
- Midwest-focused content
- Brief & Bold series
- Entrepreneur pitch sessions
Wednesday, October 14 – Scaling Solutions & Advancing Systems Change
Day Three will shift the focus from exploration, conversation, and connection to execution—highlighting how the ideas, partnerships, and solutions emerging throughout SOCAP26 can translate into long-term impact beyond the conference. Building on conversations and connections developed over the previous two days, sessions will emphasize implementation, accountability, and sustained cross-sector collaboration while continuing to elevate community-centered perspectives and solutions too often excluded from mainstream decision-making. The conference will conclude with collaborative strategy sessions, capital connection opportunities, and actionable next steps designed to help participants carry momentum forward across communities, markets, and institutions long after SOCAP26 ends.
What to Expect:
- Breakout sessions by track (learn more about this year’s tracks here)
- Capital Providers sessions
- Cross-Regional Networking
- CDFI Showcase
- Midwest-focused content
- Closing & Gratitude Ceremony
Explore the SOCAP26 Tracks
Want to understand the deeper vision guiding this year’s event? Explore how our content tracks shape every session.
What Did SOCAP25 Look Like?
SOCAP25 hosted 75 sessions, 200 speakers, and 1,380 attendees from over 20 countries. Curious how the agenda flows? Visit the SOCAP25 agenda here.
Want to See Your Organization on the SOCAP26 Agenda?
We’re always looking to co-create with mission-aligned partners. If you’re interested in shaping a session or contributing thought leadership, reach out to Tova Lobatz, our Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, at tova@socapglobal.com to learn more about our paid partnership programs that shine a light on partners’ work throughout the year.
Explore the SOCAP25 Theme & Tracks
Want to understand the deeper vision guiding this year’s content? Explore how our overarching theme and 5 tracks shape every session.
What Did SOCAP24 Look Like?
SOCAP24 hosted 100+ sessions, 250+ speakers, and attendees from over 60 countries. Curious how the agenda flows? Visit our SOCAP24 Agenda here.
Want to See Your Content on the SOCAP25 Agenda?
We’re always looking to co-create with mission-aligned partners. If you’re interested in shaping a session or contributing thought leadership, reach out to Tova Lobatz, our Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, at tova@socapglobal.com to learn more about our paid partnership programs that shine a light on partners’ work throughout the year.
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