April 22, 2026 in Charlottesville, VA
CIVIC FUTURES SUMMIT
at the 14th Annual Tom Tom Festival
Join leaders from across the region for a collaborative, multi-sector gathering focused on inclusion, creativity, and innovation.
The 2026 Civic Futures Summit builds on last year’s groundbreaking gathering, where more than 300 regional leaders came together to ask bold questions about our shared identity, direction, and future. By bringing together leaders from government, business, nonprofits, philanthropy, education, health, housing, and the arts, the inaugural Summit catalyzed a collective civic imagination focused on strengthening trust, building relational capital, and deepening community cohesion to guide the future of Charlottesville and the region. This year, we carry that work forward, turning past conversations into concrete action - most notably through Charlottesville Innovates, a new initiative advancing a multi-sector, coalition-based approach to addressing the region’s most pressing challenges.
Courage to Listen. Courage to Bridge.
Courage to Imagine. Courage to Act.
Housing Crisis
Fiscal Sustainability
Economic Vitality
Regional Storytelling
Workforce Development
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Local Government Leaders
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Nonprofit Executives
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Business & Philanthropic Leaders
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Neighborhood Leaders & Community Organizers
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Media & Storytellers
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Educators & Youth Advocates
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Public Safety, Housing, Health & Human Services Leaders
Who Should Attend?
2026 VENUES
We’ve partnered with the best spaces in Charlottesville in order to bring you the best experience possible
Sparking year-round conversations
The Tom Tom Foundation is built on a simple idea: solutions take shape when diverse leaders come together to talk, listen, and build. Tom Tom Summits create year-long conversations that bring government, education, business, and nonprofit changemakers to the table to collaborate and turn ideas into real world impact. The Reentry Summit, The Education Innovator Summit, The Jefferson Innovation Summit, and The Homegrown Innovators' Roundtable are a great representation of Tom Tom Foundation’s commitment to year-long conversations that turn ideas into action.
