Schedule and Sessions

AI won’t fix your bias—but you can. In this session, we will learn about a nonprofit-specific AI Equity Framework to help us mitigate algorithmic harm that can happen around us. Whether you are exploring tools for donor analysis or program automation, this session provides clarity on what ethical AI means in practice and how you, as a nonprofit leader, can ensure equity-first AI implementation. The session will provide you with a framework, numerous examples, and actionable lists to follow.

For several years the nonprofit sector has seen a decline in donor retention, as well as the overall number of people donating. To address these trends, organizations must effectively build trust and engagement with their donors while demonstrating impact. Stewardship is critical to doing this making it more crucial than ever but it must be more than saying thank you. Building a stewardship program based around demonstrating impact in personal, meaningful ways for all donors can significantly improve your donor partnerships resulting in increased retention, advocacy, and revenue for your important work.

A strong board isn’t just about filling seats—it’s about recruiting individuals with the right skills, passion, and strategic mindset to advance your nonprofit’s mission. In this session, participants will learn best practices for assessing board needs in alignment with organizational goals, identifying ideal candidates, and implementing an effective recruitment strategy. At the end of this session, participants will leave with practical tools and strategies they can apply to build a more diverse, mission-aligned board.

In this interactive, example-filled session, we’ll discuss everything a workable communications plan requires—including how to set goals, define activities and tactics, identify key marketing channels, and manage your plan throughout the year, making it adaptive to all possible situations that may arise.

Generation Z and Millennials are rapidly becoming philanthropy's most influential force, yet connecting with these busy, early-career donors can be a challenge. Join Holly Ivel, Operations Director for The Blackbaud Giving Fund, as she reveals how to strategically tap into corporate CSR programs. With her deep expertise from Candid and Fidelity Charitable, Holly will guide you through identifying mission-aligned corporations, navigating CSR initiatives, and effectively leveraging volunteer and giving opportunities. Learn to build lasting relationships with these crucial employee groups and organize program data for enhanced stewardship, ensuring your nonprofit cultivates a loyal and growing base for years to come.

Transform your event data into smarter strategies and purposeful results!

Your event data is more than just numbers—it’s a roadmap to better fundraising. In this session, you’ll learn how to analyze key metrics like donor participation, revenue streams, and engagement trends to build a strategy that drives results. We’ll cover how to create a dashboard, identify what’s working (and what’s not), and use industry trends to refresh your approach. The goal? Raise more money, retain more donors, and make every event decision count.

What if stronger donor relationships—not better asks—were the key to sustainable growth? Join Bloomerang and Adrian Sargeant to explore how philanthropic psychology can transform fundraising.
Learn evidence-backed ways to design more meaningful donor journeys that deepen connection, increase commitment, and fuel long-term impact.

The landscape of generosity is changing; donor acquisition strategies must change with it. In this session, fundraising experts discuss how donor behavior is evolving, what motivates donors, examples of how nonprofits activate and sustain engagement, and where AI fits into donor acquisition and how it can responsibly support fundraising efforts.

Donors down, dollars up… How do you focus on principal gifts while simultaneously building your pipeline? Discover how to build a mid-level retention model focused on reengaging 8 key donor personas. We’ll share practical examples, plus specific donor engagement and stewardship strategies, to improve retention at your shop right away.

Fundraising is packed with creativity, passion, and big personalities — but when it comes to ethics, it’s no laughing matter. In this candid, engaging session, we’ll unpack the complex ethical challenges facing today’s nonprofit fundraisers. You’ll explore real-world dilemmas around donor influence, gift acceptance, truth in reporting, and the blurry lines between persuasion and manipulation. Led with humor and honesty. this session invites you to reflect on the deeper responsibilities we hold as fundraising professionals. to our missions, our donors, and — most importantly — the people and communities we serve.

Planned giving donors can contribute up to 30% of an institution’s revenue, ensuring long-term sustainability. Join this dynamic session to discover bold strategies for launching a planned giving match program and creatively stewarding legacy donors. The session will draw on how a $1M matching gift has led to over $35M in new bequests and how we scale stewardship for nearly 450 planned giving households each year. Walk away with actionable insights, real-world examples, and fresh ideas to energize your program.

Direct mail spend is rising as a new generation discovers mail’s power to target audiences, personalize experiences, and integrate with digital to boost campaign performance. This panel will reveal insider tips and take your questions on how fundraisers can deepen donor relationships, reduce waste, and increase ROI in mail-led campaigns.

Ever made a leadership decision you’d rate “1 star—highly not recommended”? Same. In this lively and honest session, nonprofit founder Brandi Brown shares the missteps, lessons, and breakthroughs that shaped their journey. From delayed paychecks to missed partnerships, you’ll laugh, learn, and leave with real strategies to avoid common pitfalls and lead with greater impact. Join fellow nonprofit executives for a session full of storytelling, practical takeaways, and peer-powered wisdom you won’t want to miss!

Economic uncertainty, shifting donor expectations, tighter funding, and a rapidly evolving AI landscape are making fundraising more volatile. In this practical session, Colin Hunter, Co-founder of BetterWorld, shares a clear framework for building predictable fundraising growth—helping teams focus on what works, reduce busywork, and sustain momentum without burning out.

Explore the evolving landscape of prospect research in fundraising, focusing on the ethical use of donor data. This session will address the challenges and opportunities presented by new data privacy laws, technological advancements, and heightened expectations for transparency and donor respect. Attendees will learn how to balance effective prospect research with responsible data management, ensuring their practices align with both legal requirements and the highest ethical standards.