2026 AFP in Canada Leadership Retreat

FRANÇAIS

Each year, AFP leaders from across Canada gather to discuss important topics facing the fundraising profession. The retreat offers an opportunity to dive into current and potential challenges that the fundraising profession faces in Canada. (If you are a new AFP leader, please note that the retreat is not a chapter management workshop. Those sessions are offered by the AFP Global chapter engagement team.)

At the retreat, we strive to create a welcoming event where all attendees feel they can contribute, to create a fun and inclusive space, and to provide valuable updates, information and context on AFP entities and activities.

Who?  Who should attend this event? Board members from Canadian chapters, AFP Canada and the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada, volunteers from Canada serving on national and international committees, and volunteers from the host chapter are invited to attend.

What?  What will we do? We will discuss a number of important topics for our profession in Canada.

Where? The retreat meeting and accommodations will all take place right near the harbour at the Westin Nova Scotian at 1181 Hollis Street, Halifax, NS B3H 2P6. You can already book your accommodations using the AFP group rate. For any questions regarding accommodations or special needs, Viola Kelvey at the Westin Nova Scotian will be our Conference Services Manager.

Wondering where to eat and what to do while you are in Halifax? See the following list of recommendations from Tourism Nova Scotia.
 

When?  The AFP in Canada Leadership Retreat will take place from July 23-25, 2026.

Note that board meetings of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy-Canada (morning) and AFP Canada (afternoon) will take place during the day on Thursday, July 23, with a joint meeting over lunch.

• Thursday, July 23 - 6:00 p.m. Start of the Retreat
  • 6:00-6:30 p.m. – Reception
  • 6:30-9:00 p.m. – Dinner
• Friday, July 24
  • 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Retreat meetings
  • 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Space for BIPOC attendees (room to be confirmed)
  • 7:00 p.m. – Chapter-hosted event
    Come Experience a Nova Scotia Good Time!
    Join AFP leaders from across Canada on Friday night at the historic Alexander Keith’s Brewery for an interpretive guided tour. Learn about how the ocean impacts the Nova Scotian people, the culture and the beer.  Following the tour, we’ll gather in the historic Stag’s Head Pub (an aging cavern used by Mr. Keith himself) to enjoy a beverage and don’t forget to try a lobster roll, a Maritime favourite and other tasty bites. You won’t want to miss this award-winning tour of one of North America’s oldest working breweries. And don’t worry, there will be plenty of non-beer and non-alcoholic options available. Attendees may also choose to simply join us at 7pm in the Stag’s Head. Please note this event is located approximately 700m (about a 10-minute slightly downhill walk or 2-minute drive) from our conference location. The venue itself is not wheelchair accessible as there are stairs. You can see a full 3D walkthrough here.
• Saturday, July 25
  • 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Retreat meetings
  • 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Space for BIPOC attendees (room to be confirmed)
  • Retreat ends at noon

Why? Leaders from across Canada meet once a year to discuss the fundraising profession in our country. The retreat offers an opportunity for leaders to contribute to important national initiatives led by AFP Canada and the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy - Canada. This annual meeting is also a great time to meet other leaders and learn about what’s working in their chapters and how they are dealing with challenges. 

How? The $395 registration fee includes dinner on Thursday evening, breakfast and lunch on Friday and breakfast on Saturday. It also includes a ticket to the chapter-hosted event on Friday night! As part of the registration for this year’s retreat, each attendee is asked to confirm that they agree to abide by the AFP Convening Code of Conduct. 
 

Register Now
 

2026 AFP in Canada Leadership Retreat

Goal: To support AFP leaders in Canada in navigating current and potential challenges in our profession

Objectives:
-    Create a forum for discussion on important issues facing the profession, our organizations and the sector
-    Focus on renewal, rejuvenation and centering community among AFP leaders in Canada
-    Raise funds for the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada

How do we achieve this?
-    By creating a welcoming event where all attendees feel they can contribute
-    By creating a fun and inclusive space
-    By collaborating and learning from each other 
 

Any questions? Please feel free to contact us. Stay tuned for the registration link and more news on our sponsors who help make the retreat possible!

A special thank you to the AFP Nova Scotia chapter for hosting the 2026 AFP in Canada Leadership Retreat!