In a time where the number of donors is decreasing, yet total charitable contributions are on the rise, understanding the pivotal role of major gifts has never been more critical. This session will delve into the significance of major gift fundraising, showcasing real-life success stories and providing actionable strategies to initiate transformational growth for your organization. Join us to discover how focusing on major donors can elevate your fundraising efforts to new heights.

This session will introduce attendees to best practices for successfully implementing organizational change. You'll discover key personalities needed, sequencing of actions, and real-life examples to apply to your nonprofit's challenges – insights that will directly inform an interactive exercise the following day.

Let us take you on a fun and insightful journey to building meaningful, long-term relationships with your donors. Learn how to court, engage, and retain supporters with strategies that turn first-time gifts into lifelong commitments—because in philanthropy, and The Donor Dating Game, it’s all about the relationship!

Too often, planned giving is treated as a one-time task—adding a few paragraphs to the website, linking to an external tool, printing a brochure, or establishing a heritage society. But these efforts, while well-intentioned, rarely translate into a meaningful or sustainable planned giving program. In this thoughtful and engaging session, we’ll explore why planned giving remains underdeveloped at many organizations and how we can collectively build the confidence to address it more intentionally. Whether you’re new to the topic or looking to reinvigorate your approach, this session will offer practical insights, a bit of humor, and a collaborative push to move from passive acknowledgment to active strategy.

When a million dollars is on the line, and you can't phone a friend, the right words can make all the difference. We cover the exact phrases, questions, and conversational techniques that top fundraisers use to navigate donor conversations with ease. Whether you’re meeting with a major donor, making a corporate sponsorship pitch, or rallying community support, you’ll walk away with a proven framework to craft compelling asks that lead to more “yes” responses.

This interactive session will get you out of your seat, moving, and laughing as you navigate the unpredictable waters of fundraising without a clear destination. Through the high-energy game Pirates & Buried Treasure, you'll discover creative ways to frame your work finding funding even when the goal is uncertain.

"How do we get millennials to give?" In this session, we’ll break down what truly motivates this generation—from their preferences in messaging to their communication style to their giving patterns—and how to turn that knowledge into fundraising revenue. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies for building lasting relationships with millennial donors through messaging and relationship building strategies that meet them where they are.

Discover how to build thriving giving clubs that not only raise funds but also foster a strong community of committed supporters. Learn how to harness the power of volunteers as fundraising ambassadors, create a compelling giving club that attracts and retains dedicated donors, and master the art of inviting people to join you in support. Whether you're launching a new giving club or enhancing an existing one, you'll leave with actionable strategies to drive long-term philanthropic impact.

This session will engage attendees in a dynamic, hands-on session composed of small groups. Each group will be presented with a nonprofit facing an underlying change necessary to strengthen its development programs and optimize fundraising revenue. Participants will be encouraged to apply insights from Essentials of Organizational Change to develop a strategic action plan, helping to drive organizational change and foster a stronger culture of philanthropy.

Choosing the right CRM for fundraising can feel overwhelming, but real users are here to share their experiences—the good, the bad, and the game-changing. In this lively panel discussion, you'll get honest insights, practical tips, and a front-row seat to The CRM Showcase Showdown to help you find the best system for your needs.

We put your knowledge to the test head-to-head with the latest AI tools and techniques in fundraising. If you're new to AI in the workplace, this session will bring you basic actionable tools and optimizations you can use write away to work faster and smarter than the competition. If you're already an AI pro, we'll share the latest and greatest uses of AI in philanthropy to supercharge your fundraising team. Artificial Intelligence is the future of all industry, so it's time to adapt to continue to scale our missions!

With the sheer volume of new digital platforms constantly increasing and changing, it can be hard to know how to use tools like social media effectively to help you raise more money—or even what “success” really looks like. In this session, learn how to harness social platforms to expand your nonprofit’s reach, help build and maintain meaningful relationships, and organically create a community of supporters—ultimately harnessing the power of these tools for the impact of your mission.

Climb The $10,000 Fundraising Pyramid and master the art of event planning from start to finish. This session walks through every stage of hosting a successful fundraising event so you can squeeze each opportunity for meaningful donor experiences. We will tackle real-world challenges, test your event expertise, and leave with winning strategies to make your Board suggested fundraiser produce actual ROI!