June 3, 2026 | 10:30am - 2:00pm | Raleigh Convention Center
About the Event
What Matters is the Triangle's largest philanthropic event of its kind. Triangle Community Foundation's signature gathering, now in its 10th iteration, brings together people from all sectors in our region to celebrate community philanthropy, learn what it can take for everyone to thrive, and find commonality in our work. What Matters attracts more than 500 leaders dedicated to using their time, talent, and treasure to make our community a better place.
Over the years, the event has brought engaging keynote speakers, panelists, and local leaders to the What Matters stage, speaking on topics relevant to our community, offering insight on solutions to key challenges, and inspiring action. In 2026, our focus is on housing affordability, building on successful cross-sector convening activities in spring of 2025.
The Triangle region is a great place to live, but not everyone has equal access to all it has to offer. In the past decade the Triangle has experienced tremendous economic growth, but income levels for many who are the lifeblood of our communities – firefighters, health care workers, teachers, and more - have not kept pace, squeezing out the very people who directly contribute to our region’s vitality.
Local leaders from the corporate, civic, philanthropic, academic, religious, and nonprofit worlds will come together for the next phase of our work to find and support tangible solutions to the challenging issue of housing affordability.
Our Keynote Speaker
Derek Thompson is the #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of Abundance and the founder of the Substack Derek Thompson, where he writes about issues ranging from the Anti-Social Century to how to make America a nation of abundance. He offers a fresh, sharp, and clear voice amidst the chaos of new technology and the changing world. He effectively dissects the biggest technological, economic, political, and cultural trends of the moment, and interprets what they might mean for our futures. Previously a staff writer at The Atlantic, Derek has earned a Best in Business Award for Columns and Commentary from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Join us!
We want you to be a part of this gathering to celebrate our region’s giving, learn about critical issues, and find commonality in our work.
Consider becoming a sponsor by reviewing the 2026 What Matters Sponsorship Guide. If you have questions, please contact Stuart Beeson, Development Officer at [email protected] or (919) 328-4023.
