2026 Virginia Fund Raising Institute: Full Schedule

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11:00am EDT

From Scenario to Solutions: Navigating Changes in Development

Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

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.

Speakers

Shannon Williams

Managing Partner, Armstrong McGuire

Shannon Williams serves as Managing Partner at Armstrong McGuire where she helps the team of advisors create winning strategies for their nonprofit partners.

Before joining Armstrong McGuire, she focused on both annual and capital development working with independent schools and human service organizations, including the YMCA of the Triangle—one of the top 5 YMCA’s in the country in terms of revenue. Throughout her career Shannon has... Read More →

Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
TowneBank Room

Workshop, Workshop Session VIII

Audience Mid Career
Area Board Relations/Engagement

11:00am EDT

Fundraising as a Spiritual Practice

Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

DonorPerfect Room

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.

Speakers

Lindsey Franklin

Director of Development, Richmond Hill

Rev. Lindsey Franklin is the Director of Development at Richmond Hill, an urban monastery in Richmond, Virginia praying for the spirit of the city. She began her career in San Francisco at the intersection of technology, philanthropy and social justice before an unexpected call to... Read More →

Kelsey Hawisher-Faul

Development Coordinator, Richmond Hill

I am the Development Coordinator at Richmond Hill, an urban monastery in Richmond, VA that is open to all. Trained at Princeton Theological Seminary, I spent five years in congregational ministry before committing to the Rule of Life at Richmond Hill and joining the residential community... Read More →

Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
DonorPerfect Room

Workshop, Workshop Session VIII

Audience Mid Career
Area Individual Giving

2026 Virginia Fund Raising Institute

11:00am EDT

Shannon Williams

11:00am EDT

Lindsey Franklin

Kelsey Hawisher-Faul

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