Fishing Differently® 2026
National Conference
Who is Oikos?
2026 Conference Highlights
Hidden Congregations Initiative
SEPTEMBER 8-10 | NEW ORLEANS, LA
FISHING DIFFERENTLY® 2027 NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Bridging the gap between anchor institutions and the community in which they sit
Lead with what you already have. Build what your community actually needs.
Early Bird - Full Access Pass
$219
thru Dec. 31, 2026
Seminarian Pass
$229
Full Access Pass
$329
Conference registration Full Access Pass includes: Awards Gala, Design Labs & all Plenary sessions. Full access to all conference-related sessions and events.
There's no shortage of resources in our communities.
What's missing is alignment, access, and a new way of thinking about what's possible. Fishing Differently® is where faith-inspired leaders, investors, and institutions come together to re-imagine how communities grow— not through extraction but through activation.
This is not a typical conference.
You'll leave Fishing Differently® with a shift in how you see your work and what's actually within reach.
Fishing Differently® is designed for leaders who are:
- Tired of chasing solutions that don't stick
- Ready to move from scarcity thinking to asset-based stretegy
- Looking to build real partnerships across sectors
- Committed to creating lasting economic and community impact
- This is where strategy meets conviction—and where vision turns into something tangible.
Who You'll Be In The Room With
This is a curated cross-sector gathering designed for meaningful connection and empowerment.
You'll be alongside:
- Faith leaders and Congressional innovators
- Place-based investors and funders
- Anchor institutions (hospitals, universities, etc.)
- Community development practitioners
- Policy and systems leaders
People who are serious about doing the work— and doing it differently
What You'll Experience
Real Conversations
Honest dialogue about what's working, what's not, and what needs to change.
Strategic Connection
Intentional spaces to build relationships that extend beyond the conference
Proven Models
Case studies and frameworks grounded in real communities, not theory
Practical Insight
By the way, to apply what you're learning in your own contex—immediately
Join Us in New Orleans
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2027
Get ready for an exhilarating journey of transformation! The Oikos Institute for Social Impact is back, celebrating its seventh year of inspiring faith communities and anchor institutions to ignite powerful change within their neighborhoods. With an electrifying asset-based community development model at its core, Oikos is on a mission to rapidly revitalize distressed areas, tackle human suffering head-on, and unleash the full potential of human capital to address pressing social challenges.
Join us for the fifth exhilarating installment of the Fishing Differently® Conference, where passionate, faith-driven leaders unite with visionary investors and funders to create a wave of positive impact. This is not just another conference—it’s a dynamic platform where faith communities and organizations representing people of color come together to harness their collective assets and drive meaningful change in the world. Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and equipped to take bold actions that will reshape our communities for the better. Let’s cast nets of hope and catch the future we all desire—together!
In addition to plenary sessions, design labs, and networking, your conference registration includes two dynamic experiences!
Oikos Impact Awards Gala
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2027
The Oikos Institute for Social Impact acknowledges and celebrates people in the faith community who demonstrate innovative approaches to community service at our Fishing Differently® Impact Awards Gala.
Awardees are nominated and selected for utilizing their spaces and resources to create a positive impact in their communities. They address a range of critical issues such as food insecurities, affordable housing, child care accessibility, recidivism, etc.
Furthermore, some awardees successfully generate jobs and revenue, showcasing their significant contributions to society and exemplifying the essence of Fishing Differently® for social impact.
One gala ticket is included with every conference registration. If you can't make the conference but still want to attend, you can purchase a separate ticket for this special evening!
Come ready to think differently. Come ready to build differently. Come ready to fish differently®.
Why This Matters Now
Communities are facing increasing pressure—econmically, socially, and structurally.
At the same time, there are unprecedented opportunities sitting right in front of us.
The question is not whether resources exist. The question is whether we know how to recognize, organize, and activate them.
Fishing Differently® exists to answer that question—together.
This conference is part of a broader effort to reshape how we think about community transformation.
Through intentional initiatives and strategies Oikos is working to elevate overlooked models of impact and shift the national narrative around what's possible.
When you attend, you're not just showing up for three days. You're stepping into a growing ecosystem of leaders building something different.
Bring Your Team
Transformation doesn't happen in isolation. We encourage organizations to attend together.
- Group rates available
- Ideal for teams looking to align strategy and execution