2026 Virginia Fund Raising Institute: Full Schedule

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12:30pm EDT

Conference Registration

Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:30pm - 5:30pm EDT

Virginia Foyer

Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Virginia Foyer

1:30pm EDT

Storytelling in a Digital Age

Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm EDT

Virginia DEF

As artificial intelligence reshapes how we communicate and connect, nonprofits face a critical question: how do we stand out, stay relevant, and remain deeply human? In today’s noisy, distracted digital world, the nonprofits that thrive are the ones that tell stories that resonate and that connect deeply with their communities. But storytelling shouldn’t just be viewed as a way to manipulate or “tug heartstrings” – it’s about driving real action.
Learn how to collect, craft, and deploy compelling stories across your website, email, and social media to engage supporters and increase donations. This session combines timeless storytelling principles with modern tools, showing how any organization – no matter its size! – can turn authentic stories into powerful fundraising and marketing collateral. Participants will also get access to the Storytelling in the Digital Age Workbook, to plan their next digital storytelling campaign.

Speakers

Julia Campbell

Author and Speaker, J Campbell Social Marketing, LLC

Named as a top thought leader and one to follow by Forbes and LinkedIn for Nonprofits, and one of the 30 Nonprofit IT Influencers to Follow in 2025, is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to designing social media and storytelling strategies that help nonprofits share their mission... Read More →

Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
Virginia DEF

Keynote

3:00pm EDT

Beverage Break with Exhibitors

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:15pm EDT

Virginia Foyer

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:15pm EDT
Virginia Foyer

3:15pm EDT

Activating the Next Generation: Young Professional Boards as a Catalyst for Nonprofit Growth and Impact

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT

TBA

This workshop explores the strategic value of Young Professional (YP) Boards as a powerful tool for strengthening nonprofit engagement, donor cultivation, and Board and Committee pipelines. Participants will learn how YP Boards effectively engage the next generation of donors and advocates by aligning social impact with meaningful philanthropic involvement. The session will highlight proven strategies for cultivating young volunteers into committed, long-term supporters and future nonprofit leaders. Attendees will also examine best practices for transitioning YP Board members into governing board service. This workshop offers practical insights to build future-ready boards and donor pipelines.

Speakers

Kayla Smith

Director of Community Engagement, Better Housing Coalition

Kayla Smith is a nonprofit leader with a passion for community engagement, fundraising strategy, and donor relations in the Richmond region. As Director of Community Engagement at Better Housing Coalition in Richmond, Virginia, she leads initiatives that connect donors, volunteers... Read More →

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT
TBA

Workshop, Workshop Session I

Audience All
Area Board Relations/Engagement

3:15pm EDT

Climbing with Intention: Essential Tools for Fundraising Leadership and Success

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT

TBA

What does it take to succeed and lead? Technical fundraising skills alone are no longer enough to move into leadership roles. Today’s successful fundraising professionals must combine strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, ethical judgment, and organizational awareness with strong fundraising fundamentals. This session is designed for fundraising professionals at all career stages who want to intentionally grow into leadership roles. Drawing on real-world experience and practical examples from the nonprofit sector, this session will help attendees identify the skills they need to develop now to prepare for future opportunities.

Speakers

Virginia Thumm

President, Virginia Fundraising Consultants

Virginia Thumm is the Founder and President of Virginia Fundraising Consultants, where she has been responsible for designing and implementing dozens of successful, multi-million-dollar fundraising campaigns for nonprofit organizations across the region.
Prior to launching her firm, Virginia served as Director of Development for several nonprofits in New York and Virginia. Over a four-decade career in philanthropy, she has helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars to advance nonprofit missions through strategic planning, major... Read More →

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT
TBA

Workshop, Workshop Session I

Audience Mid Career
Area Career Growth/HR

3:15pm EDT

Donation Form Trends to Increase Giving

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT

TBA

Unlock the secrets to maximizing your fundraising potential with this session. In today’s competitive nonprofit landscape, staying ahead with the latest donation trends is crucial to boosting contributions and engaging donors effectively.
Whether you’re a seasoned fundraiser or new to the field, this session offers valuable insights to propel your organization’s mission forward. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your fundraising efforts and make a greater impact in your community.

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT
TBA

Workshop, Workshop Session I

Audience All
Area Individual Giving

3:15pm EDT

Everything is a Gift: Strengthening Donor Discovery Through Curiosity

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT

TBA

Great donor discovery isn’t about asking the perfect question – it’s about listening for what matters most. This interactive session helps fundraisers sharpen their listening skills, recognize donor cues, and respond with curiosity instead of rushing toward the ask. Participants will explore practical ways to follow a donor’s lead, ask better follow-up questions, and build trust through responsive conversation. Attendees will leave with tools they can immediately use in discovery, stewardship, and solicitation conversations.

Speakers

James Wasilewski

Executive Director of Leadership and Primary Giving Development, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)

With 20 years of experience in higher education, James has served in various fundraising, constituent engagement, and student recruitment roles. He is currently the Executive Director of Leadership and Primary Giving Development on the Primary Giving team within VCU’s Development... Read More →

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT
TBA

Workshop, Workshop Session I

Audience All
Area Individual Giving

3:15pm EDT

Where Strategic Planning and Fundraising Meet

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT

TBA

Are you tired of the “spray and pray” approach to fundraising? (Aka: throw it all out there and hope something sticks method)

Is your organization ready to raise substantial funds to grow your programs or operating capacity?

Funding for Good’s experts will outline WHY every organization needs a well-crafted strategic plan and HOW to use it to leverage both dollars and donors. This workshop breaks down the top ways a strategic plan contributes to fundraising success and what donors are looking for in your written plan. Finally, walk away with actionable tips and tools to cover the cost of your next planning process

Speakers

Marie Palacios

Lead Consultant, Funding For Good

Marie Palacios, Lead Consultant for Funding for Good, is an expert educator, consultant, and facilitator who helps leaders achieve their goals.

She combines evidence-based facilitation methods and two decades of professional experience to facilitate dynamic and productive meetings... Read More →

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT
TBA

Workshop, Workshop Session I

Audience Mid Career
Area Development Operations

4:15pm EDT

Beverage Break with Exhibitors

Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:15pm - 4:30pm EDT

Virginia Foyer

Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:15pm - 4:30pm EDT
Virginia Foyer

4:30pm EDT

Coaching, Mentoring and Workplace Sponsorship: Building Sustainable Fundraising Careers

Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT

TBA

Strong fundraising careers are built through relationships, guidance, and advocacy. This interactive breakout helps fundraising professionals understand the distinct roles of coaching, mentoring, and workplace sponsorship—and how each supports leadership growth, retention, and long-term success. Participants will gain practical strategies for finding the right support, strengthening professional relationships, and investing in the next generation of fundraisers.

Speakers

Ken Miller

President, Denali FSP Fundraising & Grant Consultants

Ken Miller, CFRE, is a best-selling author, dynamic speaker, and transformative business leader whose powerful life story continues to motivate professionals and communities across the country. As the author of Becoming Ken, he shares his riveting journey from addiction and adversity... Read More →

Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
TBA

Workshop, Workshop Session II

Audience All
Area Career Growth/HR

4:30pm EDT

How to Make Donors Obsessed with You (In a Totally Healthy Way)

Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT

TBA

Businesses hold on to customers like glue. Nonprofits? We let donors slip like sand through our fingers. The average business says, “See you next time!” and 3 out of 4 customers return. But in our world, 4 out of 5 first-time donors never give again. Fundraising without stewardship is just acquisition on repeat. Here’s the truth: acquiring donors is expensive, exhausting, and unsustainable unless you keep them. Retaining a donor costs 20 cents on the dollar. Acquiring a new one? $1.50. Ill-informed leaders can treat stewardship as fluff, luxury or an afterthought but donors decide to stay – or stray – in the downtime between your appeals. Retention hinges on how you communicate when you’re not asking. Ready to swipe right on donor love? Discover which stewardship strategies are the most effective and the simple metrics to measure it: retention and average gift value.

Speakers

Rachel Muir

CFRE, Speaker, trainer and nationally recognized non profit founder and thought leader, League of Extraordinary Fundraisers

Meet Rachel Muir, whose passion for fundraising is so intense she’s been certified as an alternative energy source.
Rachel has worked every side of the Rubik’s cube that is the nonprofit sector. When she was just 26 years old, she launched Girlstart, a non-profit organization to empower girls in math, science, engineering and technology in the living room of her apartment with $500 and a credit... Read More →

Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
TBA

Workshop, Workshop Session II

Audience All
Area Individual Giving

4:30pm EDT

Jedi in Practice (Not a Far-Off Galaxy)

Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT

TBA

JEDI in Practice (Not a Far-Off Galaxy!) is an interactive workshop that explores how Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion show up in our everyday work and communities. Participants will build shared understanding, reflect on lived experiences, and identify practical actions to foster more equitable and inclusive environments.

Speakers

Stephanie Glenn

Investor Relations and Development Director, RUNWAY Roots

Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
TBA

Workshop, Workshop Session II

Audience All
Area DEI/JEDI

4:30pm EDT

Leading Through Transition: Building a Future Ready Succession Plan in a Changing Fundraising Landscape

Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT

TBA

Succession planning is no longer a back burner task — it is a strategic imperative for nonprofits navigating leadership transitions, shifting donor expectations, and an increasingly competitive funding environment. This 60–90 minute workshop equips board members and executives with a practical, proactive framework for emergency, departure defined, and long term leadership planning. Participants explore real world examples, best practices, and tools that strengthen organizational resilience and reduce risk. The session emphasizes shared leadership, strategic alignment, and the operational readiness needed to sustain mission critical work during transitions. Attendees leave with clarity, confidence, and actionable next steps to build a leader full organization.

Speakers

Amy Nisenson

Principal Consultant, Nisenson Consulting LLC

Amy is a respected, sought-after community leader with over 40 years of strategic management and leadership experience in the philanthropic, corporate, and government sectors. She is Principal and Founder of Nisenson Consulting LLC since 2009, serving the nonprofit sector and specializing... Read More →

Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
TBA

Workshop, Workshop Session II

Audience All
Area Development Operations

4:30pm EDT

Sustaining the Sustainer: Well-Being for Fundraisers

Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT

TBA

“Are you happy in your job?” is a common question, but is happiness the right measure—or should we focus on fulfillment? This session explores what fulfillment means for fundraising professionals and why achieving it remains challenging. We’ll share insights from practitioners and survey results on staffing and the philanthropic landscape. The discussion will address pressures such as reduced federal support, declining giving trends, and growing demands on fundraisers, which have led many to leave or change roles. Finally, we’ll examine what the future holds for the profession and present strategies for individuals and organizations to thrive.

Speakers

Kris Kuhns

Senior Vice President, CCS Fundraising

Kris’s path into philanthropy began with her study of medical anthropology, a field that deepened her understanding of human behavior, community health, and the structural forces that shape social outcomes. That academic foundation continues to inform her approach to fundraising... Read More →

Tommy Amal

Chief Advancement Officer, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

Tommy M. Amal, MS, CFRE, is Chief Advancement Officer at the National Association for College Admission Counseling, where he leads strategy across major gifts, foundation partnerships, and enterprise development. He focuses on building sustainable revenue and advancing equity in education... Read More →

Doug Trout

Chief Executive Officer, DRiWaterstone Human Capital

Doug Trout joined DRiWaterstone (DRiW), a leading executive search in 2020 and led the nonprofit search practice starting in 2022; he became Chief Executive Officer in 2024.

DRiWaterstone Human Capital is an ideally blended firm focused on purpose-driven organizations. DRiW unites executive search with leadership and culture advisory to build high-performing teams. Our approach: rigorous search, stakeholder alignment, inclusive practices, and measurable... Read More →

Julie Naranjo Upham

Vice President, Individual Giving, Conservation International

Julie is the VP, Individual Giving at Conservation International, where she leads the strategy for individual global philanthropy and engagement. A seasoned nonprofit executive, she is a frequent speaker at AFP ICON and has served as a co-chair for the Bridge to Integrated Marketing... Read More →

Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
TBA

Workshop, Workshop Session II

Audience All
Area Career Growth/HR

5:30pm EDT

Opening Reception

Wednesday July 22, 2026 5:30pm - 7:00pm EDT

Virginia Foyer

Wednesday July 22, 2026 5:30pm - 7:00pm EDT
Virginia Foyer

about <br>

9:00pm EDT

Recovery Room

Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT

TBA

An open 12-step discussion meeting focused on applying the Twelve Steps to daily life. All are welcome, including those interested in learning about the program. This meeting is confidential and adheres to the principles of anonymity.

Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
TBA

about <br>

12:30pm EDT

1:30pm EDT

3:00pm EDT

3:15pm EDT

3:15pm EDT

3:15pm EDT

3:15pm EDT

3:15pm EDT

4:15pm EDT

4:30pm EDT

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4:30pm EDT

5:30pm EDT

9:00pm EDT

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