2026 debut of inaugural student track; new research on court mandated service debuts on the main stage.
DALLAS, TX — For 35 years, the Texas Volunteer Management Conference has been where leaders who power Texas communities come to learn, connect, and strengthen volunteer efforts across the state. This October, TVMC returns and has invited the next generation to join in.
As part of broader support from Lyda Hill Philanthropies for youth volunteerism, 50 students from across Texas will attend the 2026 conference. Student leaders were convened over the summer to help shape the conference program, and their perspectives will be featured throughout the two days. This will be the first student track in TVMC’s history.
Conference Chair, Dr. Hillman Evans IV, said of including students this year, “We understand the value of working with our youth and love hearing, planning, and building their ideas on how impactful volunteerism is for their generation.”
The 2026 conference, themed “Bridges Beyond Boundaries,” takes place October 15-16 at the University of Texas at Dallas, with a full virtual option. More than 390 individuals representing 204 organizations attended in 2025. Organizers expect continued growth this year.
TVMC will also serve as the debut stage for new peer-reviewed research on court-mandated volunteerism. In partnership with the University of Texas at Dallas, VolunteerNow completed a three-wave, two-year study of 545 adult offenders. VolunteerNow CEO Rachel Currie Triska, Senior Director of Programs Dr. Hillman Evans IV and UTD researcher Dr. Arthur Vasquez will present findings, offering volunteer engagement professionals a first look at data that could reshape how the sector approaches justice-involved populations.
“Bridges Beyond Boundaries reflects what this work has always been about, building strong communities,” said Rachel Currie Triska, CEO of VolunteerNow. “It’s exciting to have the next generation of volunteer leaders at the table to build with us. And to share our research and make the case that court mandated service might just be the most restorative piece of the justice system today.”
This year’s session lineup includes practical tools for volunteer professionals navigating AI, inclusion, connection, and the intersection of volunteerism and organizational development. The conference is open to nonprofit leaders, volunteers, corporate partners, and community organizations across the US.
TVMC is where volunteer leaders show up to be refreshed and sharpened so that they can keep up the good work – and this year, they’ll do it alongside the next generation.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at texasvmc.org.
About the Texas Volunteer Management Conference
The Texas Volunteer Management Conference is an annual convening presented by VolunteerNow for volunteer engagement professionals, nonprofit leaders, and community partners across the US. For 35 years, TVMC has served as Texas’ premier gathering for those who believe VolunteerPower(TM) is the driving force behind lasting community change.
About VolunteerNow
VolunteerNow™ is the nation’s driving force of Volunteer Power™. As one of the largest volunteer hubs in the United States, VolunteerNow builds proven platforms and innovative, research-backed solutions to advance volunteerism as essential community infrastructure — giving any nonprofit, regardless of size or resources, the tools to deploy volunteers effectively and at scale.
Media Contact:
Hillman Evans, Conference Chair
VolunteerNow
Texasvmc.org
