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Audience: Mid Career clear filter
Wednesday, July 22
 

3:15pm EDT

Climbing with Intention: Essential Tools for Fundraising Leadership and Success
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT
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
avatar for Virginia Thumm

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

3:15pm EDT

Where Strategic Planning and Fundraising Meet
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT
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
avatar for Marie Palacios

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
 
Thursday, July 23
 

10:30am EDT

Designing Donor-Centered Events That Last: A 25-Year Fundraising Success Story
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Workshop attendees will go behind the scenes of ForKids’ 25th anniversary fundraiser to learn how intentional design, board engagement, and donor-centered strategy fueled record-breaking success. The session highlights practical approaches to committee structure, table hosting, storytelling, sponsorship, and immersive event experiences that deepen donor relationships and drive revenue. Participants will also learn how data, consistency, and year-round planning can turn a single event into a sustainable fundraising cornerstone. Attendees will leave with adaptable strategies they can apply to events of any size to increase impact, engagement, and generosity.
Speakers
avatar for Mary Crosby

Mary Crosby

Senior Director of Development, ForKids
Mary Crosby serves as Senior Director of Development at ForKids, where she leads the strategic direction of the organization’s $5 million annual fund. In this role, she oversees comprehensive fundraising initiatives that deepen donor engagement, strengthen partnerships, and expand... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
TBA

2:15pm EDT

Belonging as a Leading Indicator: What Donors Feel Before They Give More
Thursday July 23, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Donors don’t just give to support a cause; they give to feel seen, connected, and valued. This session makes the case that belonging is the most reliable indicator of fundraising performance. Drawing from research in positive psychology, we’ll explore how fundraisers can design identity-affirming touchpoints, activate board members as authentic ambassadors, and build trust through coordinated donor experiences. Participants will walk away with a simple framework and a roadmap to embed belonging into daily fundraising practice. This session is ideal for fundraisers focused on improving retention, increasing donor lifetime value, and building culture through action.
Speakers
avatar for Paul Yeghiayan

Paul Yeghiayan

Senior Consultant, Benefactor Group
Paul Yeghiayan is a Senior Consultant at Benefactor Group. He supports nonprofit clients in preparing for and running successful fundraising initiatives, and he leads the firm’s Endowment Product Line. His work includes planned giving and endowment building, campaign readiness... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
TBA

3:45pm EDT

Building Authentic Relationships with Grantmakers
Thursday July 23, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT
This workshop provides practical, step-by-step guidance for building effective, authentic relationships with foundation and corporate grantmakers in today’s constrained and competitive funding environment. Participants will learn how to find the right contact for their grant, initiate outreach that gets responses, and structure conversations that advance trust without overselling. The session will break down real-world tactics for introduction, follow-up, documentation, and stewardship—what to say, when to say it, and when to stop talking. With real-world insight from a Senior Program Officer who has given millions of dollars in grants, this workshop will balance strategy with reality and demystify funder engagement…all while acknowledging that even seasoned fundraisers get intimidated by the people who make decisions about grants (and yes, that’s normal).
Speakers
avatar for Niki Wanner

Niki Wanner

CEO, Wanner Impact Strategies
Niki is a former Director of Development and Grants Specialist who understands the entire fundraising life cycle. Over her career, she has won grants from 12 US government agencies and hundreds of grantmaking entities. Her consulting business focuses on All Things Grants, Services... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT
TBA

3:45pm EDT

Fostering Resilience in Times of Change
Thursday July 23, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT
In a world of non-stop change and many unknowns, how do we foster resilience in ourselves and in our teams? This lively and interactive session will look at the practical information that we can glean from the research and will include a self-assessment that may be useful to both you and your team. Participants will gain insight into their strengths and also for areas for growth. The facilitators will provide specific and easily implemented recommendations for enhancing your own resilience and the resilience of those around you.
Speakers
avatar for James Burke

James Burke

TEO Consulting, LLC
James (Jim) Burke, PhD, has worked with numerous leaders as a coach, advisor, and confidant. He is an expert in the use of assessment tools to develop high performing leaders, teams, and organizations. Jim teaches and presents widely on a variety of topics including emotional intelligence... Read More →
avatar for Linda Pierce

Linda Pierce

Co-Principal, TEOconsulting.org
Linda Pierce, MBA, has worked in various business sectors including manufacturing, government, higher education, and not-for-profits. In these capacities, she has overhauled and managed the financial capital of organizations and led strategic and operational projects.  Linda focuses... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT
TBA

3:45pm EDT

Planned Giving in Today's Donor Landscape
Thursday July 23, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT
Planned giving is no longer just about bequests at the end of life. Today’s donors are more financially sophisticated, values-driven, and likely to use tools such as donor-advised funds, appreciated assets, non-cash assets, and blended gifts to align philanthropy with life planning.
This session explores how fundraisers can modernize their planned giving approach to meet donors where they are by integrating DAFs, major gifts, non-cash assets, and legacy planning into a cohesive, donor-centered strategy that reflects today’s economic realities.
Participants will leave with practical frameworks, messaging strategies, and actionable next steps they can apply immediately.

Speakers
avatar for Pedro Riveria

Pedro Riveria

Principal & Founder, PJR Consulting LLC
Pedro J. Rivera, Esq., is the CEO and Principal of PJR Consulting LLC, a boutique firm specializing in fundraising strategies, board governance, and planned legacy programs. With a distinguished 30-year career spanning legal, development, fundraising, and wealth management, Pedro... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT
TBA
 
Friday, July 24
 

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
avatar for Shannon Williams

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
TBA

11:00am EDT

Fundraising as a Spiritual Practice
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
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
avatar for Lindsey Franklin

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 →
avatar for Kelsey Hawisher-Faul

Kelsey Hawisher-Faul

Development Coordinator, Richmond Hill
Kelsey Hawisher-Faul is the Development Coordinator at Richmond Hill, an urban monastery in Richmond, VA that is open to all. A pastor trained at Princeton Theological Seminary, she spent five years in congregational ministry before committing to the Rule of Life at Richmond Hill... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA
 
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