Top-performers are better at managing priorities, preparing for conversations, following up consistently, communicating clearly, and protecting time for the work that moves donors forward. This session will pull back the curtain on the habits, systems, and soft skills that separate reactive fundraisers from effective ones. Attendees will learn how to structure their week, manage internal demands, strengthen donor and board relationships, improve follow-through, and turn daily activity into fundraising revenue.

Your nonprofit produces meaningful impact, but do you know how to communicate that impact in a way that truly inspires action from donors, volunteers, and community partners? In this highly interactive “Story Studio” workshop, we’ll break down what makes a story memorable, how to avoid common messaging pitfalls, and how to transform mission language into a message people can actually feel.

Successful fundraising programs operate with a sense of urgency and campaign mindset every day. This interactive breakout session will explore how to create and sustain momentum, energize volunteers and staff, and foster a culture of philanthropy that consistently drives engagement and results.

Great directors (and fundraisers) know that what ends up on the cutting room floor is just as important as what makes the screen. This session invites fundraisers to practice the discipline of strategic subtraction — letting go of what's draining without guilt and doubling down on the activities that drive strong results.

TBA

In major gifts, every ask can be viewed as a performance. There is study, preparation, contingency planning, and most importantly, compelling action! This session will cover the anatomy of a strong major gift ask and will arm attendees with the sequencing and strategy to craft and deliver the ideal major gift ask. At the end of the session, attendees will put knowledge into practice in small groups, leaving the conference ready to make their own big ask.

Strong fundraising results begin with clear goals, engaged teams, and thoughtful donor strategy. Together we will explore how to establish meaningful fundraising goals, create shared ownership among board and volunteer leaders, and translate priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities. Additionally, we will focus on determining appropriate ask amounts, aligning donor capacity with organizational impact, and building confidence in the solicitation process to optimize our fundraising efforts.

Development leaders share the plot twists, pivots, and momentum-building moments from their first year in campaign. Join us for an honest conversation about execution, expectations, and the work behind building campaign momentum.

Session description coming soon.

AI can help fundraising teams move faster, communicate better, and spend more time on high-value donor relationships. This session will explore how development shops of all sizes can use AI tools to support prospect research, donor segmentation, appeal writing, stewardship, grant drafting, meeting preparation, board engagement, and internal productivity. We will focus on what fundraisers can do now, which tools are worth knowing, and how to build simple AI workflows that create immediate value.

Description

There is a critical gap where Board members who care deeply about the mission remain unclear about their actual role in advancing fundraising, strategy, and organizational momentum. This session explores actionable tools and leadership strategies that help transform passive participation into meaningful ownership. We will equip you to set clearer expectations, strengthen committee structures, assign purposeful board tasks, and build teams that encourage accountability, engagement, and mission-centered leadership.

To close a conference full of ideas, strategies, and practical tools, this final session will help participants turn what they have learned into a clear, focused action plan. Attendees will identify their highest-priority opportunities, choose the next steps that matter most, and map out a realistic plan they can begin implementing when they return to the office. We love to leave a conference with inspiration and ideas, but better still is to leave with a plan!