Schedule and Sessions

Fundraisers are told to use urgency and psychology, but no one wants to feel manipulated. This session digs into how persuasion actually shows up in the donation experience, and how small choices in language and design can help donors feel respected, confident, and good about giving.

Fundraising success isn’t just about who your donors are. It’s about where they are, what communities they belong to, and how location shapes giving behavior. We’ll explore practical, accessible techniques using geographic information systems (GIS) technology to uncover donor demographics, visualize patterns, identify high-potential neighborhoods, and tailor donor outreach campaigns.

Failure is inevitable in fundraising--donors say no, key prospects slip away, and goals go unmet. While failure may be (secretly) terrifying, there are ways to manage fear. This session will explore why we fear failure, the consequences of our response, and how we can conquer our fear. By doing this, fundraisers can establish more authentic connections and ultimately achieve greater success.

Uncover the transformative potential of AI agents in optimizing nonprofit fundraising. In this demo-driven session, you'll learn how AI agents can automate processes, offer valuable insights, and enhance decision-making. We'll explore practical use cases that demonstrate their potential to drive efficiency, personalization, and innovation—empowering your organization to achieve greater impact.

The Linkage, Interest, and Ability (LIA) framework is evolving. Learn how to use modern wealth intelligence and affinity insights to identify high-potential donors, validate true giving capacity, and engage with precision. Walk away with a practical framework to cut through data overload and find your ideal donor.

Raise more money faster with Plus Delta's digital platform, Agyl, and proprietary AI tool, Petey. Turn discipline into daily practice by guiding fundraisers to focus on productivity, not just activity. Give managers line-of-sight to real progress and enable quick diagnosis of skill gaps, equipping organizations to align data with action.

Gain clarity on the rapidly evolving global AI regulatory landscape. This session provides essential strategies for risk management and practical, real-world examples to ensure your AI initiatives remain innovative and legally compliant. Leave with the confidence to navigate complex requirements while protecting your organization’s reputation and mission.

The top 100 U.S. charities raised more than $38 billion, and the Chronicle of Philanthropy examined how.

You’ll discover the strategies these organizations used to raise so much money, as well as their advice for small organizations on how to make changes that move the needle on dollars raised.

In the demands of nonprofit work, it’s easy to lose sight of what brought you here. During this session, delve deep into your personal connection to the work, crafting your story of self — your case for support, your “why”.

While strategies and tools matter, lasting effectiveness — and fulfillment — come from a clear connection to your deeper purpose. As fundraisers, we are often judged based on metrics when in reality true impact comes from our connection to the work — that is our X factor. This session offers a space to pause, reflect, and re-ground in your "why."

MOCID and AFP Global are partnering to translate FORGE (Fairness, Openness, Respect, Grace, Empathy) into practical behaviors and systems that strengthen belonging in the fundraising profession. You’ll be in a safe space for candid dialogue, shared learning, and practical strategies that help the sector move beyond intention and toward meaningful change. By engaging Men Of Color In Development as thought partners in shaping the future of fundraising, the workshop strengthens AFP Global’s initiative on Fairness, Openness, Respect, Grace, and Empathy (FORGE) ability to address equity, representation, and leadership in ways that are both authentic and actionable.

Explore the intersection of ethical leadership and mental health in fundraising. Join Ian Adair and Jennifer Li Dotson as they share insights and strategies to combat burnout, foster inclusive cultures, and lead with empathy in the nonprofit sector.

Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are growing rapidly, but many fundraisers feel uncertain about how to engage with them. In this dynamic panel, experienced fundraisers share strategies for building relationships and strategies with DAF donors and collaborating with DAF sponsoring organizations. Move from confusion to confidence with expert insights and real-world advice.

Are volunteers vital to campaign success, or overrated? This interactive session challenges assumptions and explores how strategic, well-matched volunteer engagement can drive results. Discover our volunteer typology framework, practical tools, and new ways to align roles, strengthen partnerships, and rethink how volunteers can elevate your next major fundraising effort.

When cooking, you get hours to plan, prep, and practice—yet 45 minutes to cook. Like cooking, intentionally plan your relationships—first touch to joyful, generous giver. Write a proven three-sentence ask, clear giving priorities, you-focused communications, and board giving/engagement to turn scattered touches into a cohesive donor journey. Learn. Sing. Focus. Raise MUCH more. We’ve done it. It’s not luck, but a purposeful mix of mindset, message, and methods. Whether you're a fundraising sous-chef or head-chef, you'll leave with a toolkit full of practical steps to cook up meaningful givers who love to give.

Are you fully maximizing your corporate fundraising? Join this session to learn more about corporate giving trends, how to leverage minimum commitments to build brand value, and how to build turn key packages that will allow you to maximize your ROI. Come to share your experiences and ask your questions, and leave with ideas on how you can sustainability build your corporate revenue.