Schedule and Sessions

Stop wasting millions on "legacy anchors." This high-urgency session challenges $20M+ organizations to bridge the gap between resource and impact. From "Build vs. Buy" traps to predictive modeling and donor experience audits, learn the business tactics used by global leaders to reduce staff burnout and maximize donor lifetime value.

As funding landscapes shift and expectations continue to evolve, corporate partnerships are more important and more complex than ever. One-time sponsorships alone are no longer enough to meet today’s challenges or deliver lasting community impact.
This panel brings together nonprofit and corporate leaders to explore how partnerships can move beyond transactions toward long-term, values-aligned collaborations. Panelists will share insights on building trust, demonstrating impact, and stewarding relationships through change, including navigating internal priorities and reputational considerations.

Ready to turn your fundraising pitches into powerful, heartfelt connections that drive real results? Join us for an energizing and practical session designed to help you master the art of persuasive storytelling and donor engagement—whether on the streets or in high-level meetings. Learn how to speak with empathy, adapt your message for maximum impact, and build authentic relationships that inspire generosity. Walk away with actionable strategies you can apply immediately to boost your confidence, creativity, and fundraising success in today’s challenging landscape.

Have you ever questioned if you truly belong in fundraising? You’re not alone—and this session is here to remind you that your path is valid. In Imposter No More – You ARE NOT an Accidental Fundraiser, Birgit Smith Burton shares heartfelt stories, honest reflections, and practical wisdom from her own journey. Whether you're new to the field or have been doing this work for years, this session offers a chance to reconnect with your purpose, quiet imposter syndrome, and feel seen. Come for the inspiration, stay for the community—and leave with the confidence that you are exactly where you belong.

Join us for an inspiring session on Islam & Philanthropy, exploring the rich traditions of giving in Islam—zakat (tithing), sadaqah (giving), and waqf (endowments)—and their relevance to modern fundraising. Understanding Islamic philanthropic principles is crucial for fundraisers aiming to engage with Muslim communities effectively. By appreciating the religious and cultural contexts of giving, fundraisers can build meaningful relationships and design campaigns that truly resonate with Muslim donors' values and motivations.

Discover how emotional intelligence (EQ) can transform your fundraising practice. In this dynamic session, two seasoned fundraisers explore the power of self-awareness, empathy, and relationship management in building deeper donor connections and navigating high-stakes moments with confidence. Through real-life stories and practical tools, you’ll learn to apply EQ to strengthen donor trust, manage team dynamics, and lead with authenticity. Whether you’re securing major gifts or motivating a volunteer board, this session will equip you with the emotional insight needed to elevate your impact and lead with heart.

The Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE) credential is the top credential of the fundraising process.

Being certified as an ACFRE recognizes individuals who have demonstrated advanced level knowledge about the fundraising practice, a commitment to leadership in the sector, and a commitment to ethical and effective professional practice.

Join members of the ACFRE Certification Board for a lively and informative session to get all of your questions answered about the ACFRE process—application, scholarships, mentoring.

Don’t wait any longer. If you have 10 or more years of fundraising experience, NOW is the time to get involved in the ACFRE process.

Planned giving should not feel complex, intimidating, or reserved for specialists. Yet many organizations leave legacy gifts untapped because they lack a clear, repeatable system to identify prospects, engage donors with confidence, and document gift intentions.
Participants will explore how to segment donors using giving history and engagement indicators, activate outreach across phone, mail, and email, and guide donors through a clear progression from interest to documented intent. The session includes a real-world case example that resulted in $4.6 million in documented planned gifts within five months, demonstrating how structure and consistency can drive measurable results.

Tired of ghost boards and passive members? This bold, practical session offers nonprofit leaders real talk and real tools to transform their board from dead weight to driving force. You’ll learn how to assess your board’s effectiveness, diplomatically offboard disengaged members, and ignite new energy through smart onboarding, accountability, and culture shifts. Come ready to recycle what works, replace what doesn’t, and reignite your board’s purpose.

The philanthropic landscape is changing rapidly with the evolution of AI, data-driven decision-making, and technological advancements. Yet, timeless fundraising principles remain steadfast. This session, based on extensive research for CCS Fundraising’s upcoming book, offers practical strategies to harness technology as a lever for donor engagement, strategic planning, and long-term growth.

One Year Before Your Capital Campaign breaks down the 12 months before you start your campaign. In this session you'll learn what to do when you're 12 months, 9 months, 6 months and 3 months out from launching your capital campaign. And if you're already out of time, there’s also "In Case of Capital Campaign Emergency” section which you hopefully don't need but there if you do. Don't miss this chance to learn how to give your future capital campaign every chance to succeed.

Donor-centered fundraising shapes more than strategy—it shapes stories. This session explores the power dynamics behind who tells those stories and why it matters. Participants will learn to critically evaluate and reshape narratives to promote transparency, shared power, and accountability. Join the conversation to create stories that authentically elevate community voices.

Explore how responsible innovation transforms Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT® workflows. Learn to use intelligent automation and data health tools to drive fundraising outcomes, streamline tasks, and enhance donor precision. Discover a clear pathway to leverage smart technology that scales your impact while keeping mission-critical data secure and maximizing team value.

New research reveals mission-driven professionals don’t just want higher pay—they also want growth, belonging, and better tools. This session explores how ethical AI, professional development, and volunteer engagement reduce burnout, strengthen retention, and ultimately improve organizational performance and mission impact.

Let’s face it: the world doesn’t need another stale, awkward, soul-draining event. If your attendees are checking their watches (or their exits), it's not because events are dead — it's because they’re uninspired.
In this high-energy, interactive workshop, we’ll help you resuscitate your events and turn them into experiences people talk about, share, and look forward to. Whether you’re planning a 50 person fundraiser or welcoming 1500 guests, you’ll walk away with practical tools to shake things up and reimagine your event from the inside out.