2026 Virginia Fund Raising Institute

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8:00am EDT

Breakfast and Visit with Exhibitors Virginia DEF

9:00am EDT

Building Board Champions: Where Power Skills Become Daily Practice TBAWendy Adams Donor Relations & Retention to Support Sustainability TBAMandy Pearce From the Frontlines: A Development Director's AI Framework for Fundraising Operations TBAReagan Leatherman Leading Like a Hero: Discovering Your Fundraising Strengths TBABrittany Claybourne Strengthening Your Institutional Fundraising Strategy to Meet the Moment TBARebecca Ellison • Marlo Rowland

10:00am EDT

Beverage Break with Exhibitors Virginia Foyer

10:30am EDT

Designing Donor-Centered Events That Last: A 25-Year Fundraising Success Story TBAMary Crosby From First Gift to Lasting Impact: Strengthening Donor Relationships in a Data-Informed Landscape TBAKeith Curtis The Evolution of Making the Ask TBAAlan Hutson Transform Sponsors into Partners: A Guide to Achieving Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Goals TBAMegan Huffman Values at Work: Lead from Your Center TBAMary Riddick

11:30am EDT

Lunch and Keynote - Resilience in Action: Leading, Fundraising and Living Well in the Face of the Known and Unknown Virginia DEFKen Miller

1:00pm EDT

Authentic Leadership TBAKaren Owen Enhancing Your Event Through Intentional Engagement TBARachael Schrinel From Oz to Outcomes: Behind the Curtain of Why Donors Give TBAMartha Quinn • Carrie Miller From Plan to Impact: How Communications Can Drive Fundraising TBATricia Ambler • Lisa Resch Spark, Strengthen, Sustain: Corporate & Donor Partnerships TBAJill Queen • Sierrah Chavis

2:00pm EDT

Beverage Break with Exhibitors TBA

2:15pm EDT

Belonging as a Leading Indicator: What Donors Feel Before They Give More TBAPaul Yeghiayan Getting The Word Out: Working With The Media TBAAmy Lacey How to Create a Social Media Strategy for Small Shops TBAJulia Campbell The other nonprofit cultures: Culture of Curiosity, Culture of Experimentation and a Culture of Innovation TBAJack Alotto • Bree Muehlbauer The Virginia Grants Landscape: A Field Guide for Right Now TBAMatt Leighty • Amy Bradshaw

3:15pm EDT

Beverage Break with Exhibitors Virginia Foyer

3:45pm EDT

Building Authentic Relationships with Grantmakers TBANiki Wanner Cut Through the Noise: A Scientist's Guide to What Actually Works TBAShannon Williams Fostering Resilience in Times of Change TBAJames Burke • Linda Pierce Planned Giving in Today's Donor Landscape TBAPedro Riveria Shuffling Your Donor Engagement Strategy for Nonprofit Success TBATara Petersen

9:00pm EDT

Recovery Room TBA