2026 Global Convening | June 2-4

Location 

Hostería Las Quintas | Cuernavaca, Mexico 

Nearest International Airport: Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City (MEX)

Program 

We are planning an exciting program for our first residential convening. Building from successful past experiences in London, New York City, Portland, Rimini and Los Altos, we are planning a unique experience specifically designed for SMILE leaders in Climate Philanthropy.  

We will make the most of the immersive experience combining structured sessions with semi-structured and flexible time for participants to connect in different ways. Unlike conventional conferences, we are designing an experiential event to enable deep listening, generative thinking, and to unlock the creative potential of participants. We want to create the spaciousness we need to take perspective, re-examine our business-as-usual practices and re-gain intention and direction. There will be time for presentations, experience sharing, peer clinics, ideating the future, workshops, write-shops, experiential activities, deep thinking, and reflection. In essence, time to connect with ourselves, and with each other in community.  

As in previous convenings, we are co-creating the agenda with our members. The final agenda will be available a few weeks prior to the convening. In the meantime, you can review the draft agenda here, which is intentionally not finalized yet, so that it can be shaped by participants. This draft presents the main structure for the convening and a first description of the sessions we are currently considering. Please help us finalize our program by responding to this survey by 10 April. 

Please note the following:

• This is a global convening with a 3-day program and 4 nights, as most participants are travelling internationally.
• Participants should plan to arrive on Monday 1 June, to join the first session in the morning of Tuesday 2 June
• The structured session will run until Thursday at lunch time, with recommended optional parallel sessions on Thursday afternoon.
• Participants can check out on Thursday afternoon if they don’t join the recommended parallel sessions, or Friday morning to make the most of this event.

Registration →

Who can attend 

Registration is reserved to members of the Climate SMILE Community of Practice. Places are limited so we welcome registrations for one member per organization to start with. If you wish to register a second participant, please e-mail contact@csmile.org  for guidance before processing the second registration.    

What’s Included:  

In addition to the participation to all convening activities, sessions, and materials, the registration fees cover: 

+Accommodation: Individual hotel room from June 1 through June 5 (arrival June 1 and check-out on June 5). Participants wishing to arrive earlier or extend their stay can book a stay extension directly with the venue.  

+Meals 

• Welcome Networking Dinner on June 1  
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Coffee Breaks on June 2-4 
• Breakfast June 5 

+Transportation: Round trip transportation will be provided between Mexico City International Airport (MEX) and the hotel in shared mini vans with other participants. Transfers will be organized based on participants’ arrival and departure times to allow for group transportation where possible. Travel time between the airport and the venue is approximately one to three hours, depending on traffic.

+Offsite Exploration/Team Development Opportunity  

Registration Rates & Payment

This is the first time we have introduced a registration fee for the convening, and we sincerely hope it does not create a barrier to participation. The fee is designed to cover a significant portion of the participant’s costs, including transportation, accommodation, and other related expenses. It is important to note that this is not intended as a revenue generating mechanism for Climate SMILE, but rather a cost recovery approach to support the convening. 

For organizations that would like to do so, there is also an option to include your annual membership contribution alongside the registration fee. Please refer to the recommended membership contribution levels based on annual giving for additional guidance. Please reach out to contact@csmile.org to coordinate this option. 

Rates:

• $900 USD – Early registration rate (available until April 20, 2026, at 11:59PM EST) 
• $1,200  USD – Late registration rate (available until May 17, 2026)

All payments should be processed within 30 days once your registration is confirmed via email. For questions on payment, please reach out to RFCC’s Yeshi Tsomo (Ms.) at ytsomo@rockfound.org.

Climate SMILE is committed to maintaining an inclusive and globally representative community. We recognize that some organizations, particularly smaller or under resourced institutions, may face financial barriers to participation. If this applies to your organization, please contact us at contact@csmile.org. We welcome the opportunity to discuss options that may support your participation in the convening.

Registration Deadline 

Registration closes on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 11:59PM EST. 

Capacity is limited. While there is a formal registration deadline, registration will close once full capacity is reached. We strongly encourage early registration. 

Payment

For Wire Transfer:

• Account #: 638582020
• Bank Name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A
• Routing #: 021000021

For ACH Credit:

Account: RF CATALYTIC CAPITAL, INC.

Account # 638582020

Routing #: 021000021

REGISTER HERE 

Cancellation Policy 

Cancellations received on or before April 20, 2026, will be eligible for a full refund of the registration fee.  

After this date, cancellations will no longer be eligible for a refund, and the full registration fee will be retained or due if it has not been paid yet. 

Participants may designate a replacement from the same organization at no additional charge until May 22, 2026. All substitution requests must be submitted in writing. 

No refunds will be issued for no shows. 

All cancellations and substitutions must be sent by email to: contact@csmile.org

Press Policy 

The Climate SMILE Global Convening is a closed, invitation-based gathering for participating organizations and invited partners.  To foster trust, candid dialogue, and open peer exchange, the convening will not be open to members of the press. Media attendance and external reporting will not be accommodated. We appreciate your understanding as we prioritize creating a confidential space for shared learning and honest conversation.

Community Guidelines 

The Climate SMILE Global Convening is designed as a space for learning, collaboration, and trust building among philanthropic leaders, partners, and recipients of funding. To ensure a balanced and open environment, grant seeking, direct fundraising, and solicitation of activities are not permitted during the convening. In addition, the convening is not a venue for negotiating contracts, discussing funding terms and conditions, or advancing specific grant agreements. Conversations about existing or potential funding relationships should take place outside of the formal convening space. We encourage all participants to engage as peers, deepen relationships, exchange knowledge, and explore shared challenges in a spirit of mutual respect and collective learning.

Photography and Media Release 

By registering for and attending the Climate SMILE Global Convening, participants acknowledge and agree that photographs, video recordings, and other media may be captured during the event. 

These materials may be used by Climate SMILE for communications, reporting, learning documentation, and promotional purposes, including use on our website, social media channels, publications, and donor reports. 

Climate SMILE will strive to represent participants respectfully and in alignment with the spirit of the convening. 

If you have specific concerns regarding photography or media use, please contact us in advance of the event at contact@csmile.org.