2026 Virginia Fund Raising Institute

Fundraising is evolving rapidly as nonprofits navigate changing donor behaviors, economic uncertainty, shifting community needs and new expectations for engagement. In this interactive panel discussion, keynote speaker Julia Campbell and fundraising leaders representing six AFP chapters across Virginia will share perspectives on the opportunities and challenges shaping philanthropy in their communities. Join us for a candid conversation on how fundraisers can adapt, lead and build resilience in a shifting landscape.

Breakfast Menu:

Chilled Orange Juice, Grapefruit Juice, and Apple Juice
Seasonal Diced Fruits
Breakfast Pastries and Muffins
Scrambled Eggs (GF, Vegetarian)
Southern Style Grits (GF, DF, Vegan)
Crisp Virginia Bacon (GF, DF)
Sausage Patties (GF, DF)
Country-Fried Potatoes (DF, Vegan)
Freshly Brewed Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, Assorted Hot Teas

Have you ever felt alone in development, wishing your executive director, development committee, or board were more involved in fundraising? This presentation is designed for development professionals looking to break out of silos and foster true collaboration. Through the power of analysis and scenario thinking, you’ll discover practical ways to engage leadership, present compelling data, and guide your organization from isolation to partnership. Together, you’ll move from analysis to actionable solutions, building a resilient, mission-driven fundraising strategy that everyone owns.

This workshop is for people who believe deeply in the mission of their work, and are curious about the potential for fundraising to be a catalyst for spiritual growth. We define a ‘spiritual practice’ as a way of showing up for oneself to tend to one’s spirit and the spirit of one’s community. We will offer a way of practicing fundraising through a mindful and relational orientation to inviting financial support, rooted in self-honesty, generosity and gratitude. Participants will be invited to reflect on their relationship to money, scarcity, and abundance, as well as where they find their sense of security. This will lay the groundwork for participants to consider how they could practice fundraising as spirit-tending and invitational in their own context, whatever their spiritual or religious background.

CapDev and Grymes Memorial School team up to share and discuss takeaways from a recent major campaign. Learn about the value of good campaign preparation, relationship development, how to approach events, use of leadership, development staffing, building a strong proposal, a stewardship matrix, and the cadence of campaigns. This interactive session delves into examples and engages participants in exploring concepts.

How Personalization, Timing, and Human Touch Drive Giving
In a world where every click, stream, and scroll is personalized, donors expect more than a generic thank-you and a quarterly newsletter. They want to be seen, heard, and valued. But many nonprofits are unintentionally ghosting their own supporters.
This session reveals the surprising data behind donor retention—and what the top-performing organizations are doing differently. Spoiler: It’s not about flashy appeals or perfectly designed emails. It’s about treating donors like humans.
You’ll walk away with a clearer picture of how to retain more donors by improving your welcome experience, writing like a person (not a brand), and sending the right message at the right time—all based on real-world data from 91 organizations.
This isn’t theory. It’s a wake-up call to do the small things that actually make a big difference.

Strong volunteer engagement is essential to nonprofit success. This interactive workshop explores practical strategies for recruiting, retaining, stewarding, and appreciating volunteers while building systems that support long-term sustainability. Participants will learn how effective volunteer engagement strengthens community relationships, improves organizational capacity, and directly supports fundraising through meaningful data tracking and reporting. Designed for nonprofit leaders, volunteer managers, and development professionals, this session provides actionable tools to create impactful volunteer experiences that drive mission success and donor confidence.

Boxed Lunches:
Sliced Turkey Breast with Provolone Cheese and Crispy Bacon, Basil Aoili on Multi-Grain Bread
Roasted Curry Chicken Salad with Arugula, Cucumbers, Herb Aoili Croissant
Herb Roasted Eggplant with Mushroom Olive Tapenade, Baby Spinach, Fire Roasted Bell Peppers on a GF/DF Bun (GF/Vegan)
Kettle Cooked Chips
Mixed Green Salad
Chocolate Chip Cookie
Bottled Water and Soft Drinks