Registration is now open for the Island’s only third sector conference.

Presented by the Centre on Philanthropy, the Building Hope conference aims to strengthen the charitable sector.

“This conference is important because it is the only conference of its kind in Bermuda,” Elaine Butterfield, the Centre on Philanthropy’s executive director, told The Royal Gazette.

“Although we hold workshops and panel discussions all year, this event brings everyone together from different areas and even from different sectors.

“The conference objectives go beyond this one day event,” Ms Butterfield added. “We are collaboratively building hope for the organisations that provide the essential human services to our community.”

The Centre on Philanthropy is inviting non-profit leaders, staff and board members, corporate and individual donors, faith-based organisations, volunteers, activists, government and public sector workers, and social entrepreneurs to come along.

“Attendees will spend the day collaborating first hand with experts and peers to strengthen our sector,” Ms Butterfield said.

Opening with a “lively and thought-provoking” PechaKucha Bermuda session, the event will see philanthropists, economists and industry professionals lead keynote presentations, panel discussion and breakout sessions to explore a series of topics. These include capacity building, programme development, fundraising, compliance, and the present and future social state.

A new programme to support collaboration and consolidation within Bermuda’s charitable sector will also be revealed.

“The Centre on Philanthropy will unveil a new programme to provide more robust support to our membership, and to assist charities with the administrative support required to facilitate amalgamation processes up to mergers,” Ms Butterfield said.

The Building Hope third sector conference, which is sponsored by the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, Gill and Allan Gray, XL Catlin and the Bermuda Donor Forum, will be held at the Hamilton Princess on January 29.

Tickets for Centre on Philanthropy members cost $175 and $200 for non-members. Prices will increase to $200 and $225 when the early bird special ends after January 15.

• For more information or to register visit the Centre on Philanthropy’s website here or call 236-7706