Calling All Knoxville-Area Non-profits!
The Upward Summit is the largest ever gathering of Knoxville-area non-profits. Full program details below!


Mill and Mine
227 W Depot Ave
Knoxville, TN 37917

March 31, 2022
All Day

Keynote Speaker
Leslie Crutchfield

400 Seats Available
(Registration Closed)
About the Summit
Event Schedule
Morning Session
Networking Lunch
Afternoon Session
Your afternoon is packed full of content! Learn from fellow nonprofit leaders in a variety of fun and engaging formats. Participate in real-time surveys. Meet some of the folks providing funds in our community, enjoy prize drawings, and hear about a new grant opportunity for 2022.
Unite for Change
Greater Knoxville’s nonprofit community is comprised of an exceptional group of individuals and teams dedicated to making the world a better place for everyone. On March 31st, we will discover ways to create new possibilities, together. Don’t miss it … register today!

2022 UpWard Summit Keynote Speaker
Welcoming Leslie Crutchfield!
Our 2022 speaker is Leslie Crutchfield, social change strategist, author, educator and Executive Director of Business for Impact at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Co-author of Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits and author of How Change Happens: Why Some Movements Succeed While Others Don’t, Leslie has been recognized for developing a “blueprint for groups inspired to take action on today’s major causes.” A consummate educator and changemaker, Leslie leads the Business for Impact team at Georgetown and partners with corporate, non-profit, and government organizations committed to the triple bottom line – people, planet, and prosperity.
2022 UpSum 10 x 20
UpSum 10 x 20 is a storytelling session where you will get to engage with the experiences of fellow non-profit professionals; presenters will share their stories using 10 visuals, each in 20 seconds. United Way of Greater Knoxville is proud to present our 2022 UpSum 10 x 20 presenters.

Bekah Grace, YMCA

Bailey Foster, Real Good Kitchen

Christi Branscom, Department of General Services

Leslye Hartsell, Knoxville Utilities Board
Leslye Hartsell is the Director of Community Relations at the Knoxville Utilities Board. She currently serves on numerous boards, including Covenant Health, Senior Citizens Home Assistance, United Way Income & Basic Needs, Knox County Partners in Education Advisory Board. Leslye seeks to positively impact the Knoxville community through her professional and philanthropic efforts.
Special Presentation by Drums Up, Guns Down
Building Communities Together Lessons Learned in Partnership Panel

About our Facilitator
Dr. Javiette Samuel, Department of Child and Family Studies, University of Tennessee
2022 Panelists

Bonnie Ortiz, Centro Hispano de East Tennessee

Kathy Mack, City of Knoxville

Daniel Watson, The Restoration House
The UpWard Summit Grant
FAQs
Who is the summit for?
The Summit is an exclusive event for members of the non-profit community in Knoxville and the surrounding region.
How do I register?
Click the registration button at the top of this page and secure your spot through Eventbrite.
Where will I park?
The UpWard Summit will be held at the Mill and Mine in the Old City. Click here for a map of available parking.
How much does registration cost?
The UpWard Summit is a free event – there’s no charge for registration!
What is the Covid Protocol for the event?
Although this event will not require masks, we encourage best personal mask wearing practice based on your individual exposure risk.
In order to protect those in attendance, we kindly ask that if you are experiencing Covid 19 symptoms to obtain a negative Covid test prior to the event or join us for another event at a later date.
Who can I contact with questions about the UpWard Summit?
Please contact Anna Moseley at moseleya@unitedwayknox.org.