Rachel Muir, CFRE, Principal, Rachel Muir

Looking for a stable, predictable source of ongoing income? What if you could build one that also gives you a pool of prospects who might name your charity in their will or estate? Learn how to launch a monthly giving program with our special guest, Rachel Muir, CFRE. She will demonstrate:

• Why you should start a monthly giving program and how to sell it to leadership.
• Who are your BEST monthly giving prospects.
• What is the lucrative math of monthly giving and loyal donor retention.
• When, how (and how often) to ask for monthly gifts.
• How to upgrade monthly donors.
• Monthly giving examples  for direct mail, phone, email, websites, and social media outreach.

Jade Richardson Bock, Senior Consultant, Building Beloved Communities

Beyond Bon Bons and Bubble Baths addresses burnout and the need for real, actionable self-care for those working in the social-profit sector. The session emphasizes the importance of creating a culture of appreciation and developing personal replenishment strategies, while highlighting the predictable nature of burnout in high-stress, resource-limited environments.

Margaret Dodson-Cordrey, Director of Annual Giving, Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia; Julia Bell, Major Gifts Officer, UMFS; Josh Leidy, Director of Affinity Engagement and Philanthropy, VCU; LaChelle M. Lewis, PhD., Development Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters Services; Katie Rhodes, Director of Advancement for Annual Giving, Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond

This session will introduce you to the topic of generational giving by explaining unique characteristics of this giving behavior. Our panel of experts will then expand on specific trends and  explain how the youth and young adults respond to their organization’s services and targeted funding initiatives.

To be announced.

Linda D. Wilkinson, MPA, CFRE, Chief Executive Officer, LDW Consulting

Money can make good people do crazy things. It is only money after all, and not worth jeopardizing your organization or integrity. However, without preventative measures and proactive planning and policies in place, it could become easy for certain individuals to take advantage of  donors or poor planning by the organization. This workshop will discuss the important role policies and oversight have in maintaining the highest level of stewardship to reduce risk to the agency. Real life case studies will be evaluated for response by participants.

Alan R. Hutson, Jr., Chief Administrative Officer, Gateway Homes

Many fundraisers need to Make the Ask in person, on the phone, online or in writing – to major donors, to corporations, to foundations and even to board members. When you’re making that ask, you need to manage your nerves and ensure that you are shaping your Ask to optimize your  chance of success. Old fashioned Moves Management is too crude an approach.

This session shares five key stages for any successful ask:

• Passion- creating the most powerful emotional state for yourself and your prospect to address their concerns and motivations.
• Proposition- shaping your Case for Support to make it easy for the prospect to understand and see how they can help.
• Preparation- getting ready to meet an individual by designing a well-formed outcome and anticipating any and all challenges.
• Persuasion- building fast, comfortable rapport and preparing to adjust to your prospect’s communications and decision-making preferences.
• Persistence- handling challenges and objections effectively and, where appropriate, analyzing what will lead to repeatable success.

This session will introduce participants to 20 radical tools – four in each stage – drawn from behavioral science that will enable you to exert influence and win people over to your point of view in 1 to1 situations. The model has helped a UN agency secure $350M in the Gulf, a major US conservation charity to raise $14M for a primate sanctuary in Rwanda, and a Scottish museum to meet its $50M target.

To be announced.

Jonathan Zur, President and CEO, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities

Funders are increasingly asking nonprofit organizations to describe your diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments and practices. Doing so requires more than changing a word on a grant application or speaking in generalities. In this interactive session, we will discuss the importance of DEI work, explore ways to ensure that it is embedded in your organization, and identify how to describe that work to donors.

Molly Gutierrez, Operations Manager, Building Beloved Communities

Unlock the power of Generative AI to supercharge your fundraising efforts. Dive into the world of Generative AI and discover how it can transform your grant-seeking and donor engagement strategies. From AI-assisted proposal writing to data-driven campaign planning, this presentation offers practical insights and interactive demonstrations. Learn how to ethically integrate AI into your workflow and prepare for the future of fundraising.

Laura MacDonald, CFRE, Founder & Principal, Benefactor Group; Paul Yeghiayan, CFRE, CSPG, Senior Consultant, Benefactor Group

For many nonprofits, building an endowment is not just a strategy. It is a cornerstone of developing a resilient cause that resonates with donors and provides financial stability to ensure ongoing mission advancement. With an estimated charitable intergenerational wealth transfer of $12 trillion occurring over the next few decades, the importance of nonprofits positioning themselves appropriately cannot be overstated. Those who prepare will benefit from donor generosity. In this session, you’ll hear from Benefactor Group’s founder and principal, Laura MacDonald, CFRE, a renowned expert in the field, and senior consultant Paul Yeghiayan, CFRE, CSPG. Together, they will provide highly actionable and simple steps that nonprofits can immediately implement to launch or reinvigorate their endowment program.

Wendy McGrady, COO and EVP, The Curtis Group; Rachel Kimble, Consultant, The Curtis Group

The environment for nonprofit fundraising is constantly evolving, shaped by political, economic, and societal shifts. Join our expert team for an insightful discussion on the latest fundraising trends and what we are seeing in the field. Our analysis will be informed by newly released data from The Giving Institute, The Generosity Commission, and the Giving USA Foundation, among other findings. We will address:

• How giving from individuals and each of the primary donor sources compares to past results?
• Which nonprofit sectors saw an increase in contributions and why?
• What the impact is of the dollars-up, donors-down trend on fundraising strategy and the nonprofit sector?
• Why it matters that there is “top heaviness” within the philanthropic giving landscape?
• What we can do to promote and celebrate generosity through our work and personal lives?

Whether you are looking to refine your development approach, better engage with donors at all levels, or identify opportunities to educate your staff and board, this session equips you with the tools and knowledge you need to adapt your organization’s strategy to maximize fundraising success in today’s giving landscape.

Mary Riddick, Senior Director of Development, VCU

In this interactive session, learn how to leverage coaching skills to cultivate stronger relationships with internal and external partners. We’ll explore the core principles of effective coaching, including deep listening and powerful questioning techniques. Discover how these strategies can unlock potential, foster collaboration, and drive progress toward shared goals. Participants will leave equipped to immediately implement these tools and enhance their partnership impact.

Bri Bouldin, Program Specialist, Office of Affinity Engagement & Philanthropy, VCU; Josh Leidy, Director of Affinity Engagement and Philanthropy, VCU

Join Virginia Commonwealth University’s Office of Affinity Engagement and Philanthropy (AEP) for a dynamic case study of how Appreciative Inquiry’s 4-D process – Discover, Dream, Design, Destiny – fosters affinity-based giving at VCU. This session shares how AEP utilized curiosity and dialogue as tools to engage donors and stakeholders to co-create four giving initiatives supporting VCU’s Women, Black, LGBTQ+, and Parents/Family communities.

Highlights include:

• Key findings from the Discovery focus groups series, where staff, alumni, and volunteers gave invaluable insight on, “how to modernize philanthropy at VCU?”
• Insights from Dream steering committees, where giving initiatives were co-created by VCU’s most engaged donors and volunteers.
• A preview of the next steps before the groups launch in 2025.

Katelyn Baughan, Nonprofit Email Consultant, KB Digital

In today’s digital age, effective email marketing can be a game-changer for nonprofit organizations aiming to enhance their fundraising efforts. This presentation will explore how data-driven email marketing strategies can significantly boost donor engagement and contribution levels. By leveraging personalized content, strategic planning, and automation tools, nonprofits can develop impactful campaigns that resonate with their audience and drive donations. The presentation will provide practical insights from real-world examples and highlight the role of email in building lasting relationships with donors, ultimately empowering nonprofits to achieve their fundraising goals.

This content is designed to equip your audience with actionable ideas and strategies to enhance their fundraising initiatives via email marketing.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding of the fundamental principles of effective email marketing for nonprofits.
• Insights into how to leverage data for personalized donor engagement and improved fundraising outcomes.
• Strategies to craft compelling email content that drives emotional connections and inspires action.
• Knowledge of automation tools and techniques to optimize email campaigns and maintain continuous engagement.
• Real-world examples and case studies showcasing successful nonprofit email marketing initiatives.
• Practical tips for measuring the success of email marketing efforts and using metrics to refine strategies.
• This content is designed to equip your audience with actionable ideas and strategies to enhance their fundraising initiatives via email marketing.

Josh Birkholz, CEO, BWF

Fundraising is a business of relationships. You might say we will always be sitting in someone’s living room asking for money. With data, we can determine which living room. With all of the advances in data science, AI, and prospect development, it can be difficult for relationship-minded professionals to navigate. Josh Birkholz, author of Fundraising Analytics and Benefactors, will present this dynamic session meant to demystify the data of fundraising.

Sabrina Walker Hernandez, Founder, Supporting World Hope

Few things are more critical to your nonprofit’s health, success, and sustainability than an effective board of directors. In this interactive session, participants will learn to support their board in resource development, tap into their fundraising strengths, and transform them into a fundraising powerhouse.

Doug Trout, CEO, DRiWaterstone Human Capital

“Are you happy in your job?” is a frequent question all of us have answered (sometimes truthfully and sometimes not). We seem to put real pleasure on our happiness, but are we looking at all the factors, and is it really about being happy, or is it about being fulfilled? We’ll discuss professional and personal elements of what it means to be fulfilled in your job and why that has been, and continues to be, as challenging as ever for fundraising professionals, CEOs, and boards of directors.

Alisha Childress, Business Development Specialist, Freedom First Credit Union

This session empowers nonprofit executives and board members with actionable strategies to build inclusive organizations, encompassing both staff and board leadership. An inclusive nonprofit fosters a healthier organizational culture, authentically reflects its mission, and resonates deeply with the communities it serves, while unlocking new opportunities for donor engagement and support. Participants will explore best practices for recruiting and retaining diverse talent, engaging and supporting the diverse communities they serve, and leveraging inclusivity to strengthen fundraising and development efforts. Join us to learn how inclusivity can transform your nonprofit’s culture, deepen its community impact, and enhance its ability to tell its story authentically.

Attendees will leave this session equipped with practical tools and resources to enhance inclusivity within their organizations. Key takeaways include:

• A curated list of job boards, associations, and networks to attract a more diverse and qualified applicant pool.
• Best practices for creating inclusive application and interview processes.
• Proven strategies to become a broker of inclusivity within your organization and community.
• A comprehensive list of engagement activities and support resources to help meet your inclusivity goals.

Additionally, attendees will participate in a hands-on, social-professional mapping activity to identify gaps and opportunities in their own networks. This popular exercise provides valuable insights into how individuals can act as agents of change, fostering diversity and inclusion both within their nonprofits and the communities they serve.

Justine Krank, Owner and Lead Grants Consultant, Gold Dust Grants Consulting

This workshop will cover what your nonprofit needs to ensure readiness for pursuing (and successfully managing) government grants.

You’ll learn:

• How to effectively review government RFPs to assess feasibility, and
• How to determine if your organization is truly government grant-ready.

Participants will leave the session with:

• Greater clarity around government grant application processes.
• A comprehensive checklist of the most commonly required elements to have in place before applying for government grants.
• Better understanding of how to assess internal capacity to ensure readiness.
• Increased knowledge on what makes a proposal competitive.

Jeff Grandy, Vice President, Catapult Fundraising

Launching or reinvigorating a capital campaign requires a clear strategy to secure major gifts and engage donors for long-lasting impact. This session will guide participants through essential campaign phases such as goal setting, feasibility assessments, and gift chart creation to emphasize practical methods to engage leadership, craft meaningful donor opportunities, and sustain campaign momentum.

The session will equip fundraising professionals with the skills to assess their organization’s readiness for a campaign, identify key areas for growth, and implement targeted changes for measurable success. Whether launching a new campaign or revamping an inherited one, attendees will leave with a toolkit to inspire strong donor support, surpass campaign goals, and deepen community ties. Ideal for those aiming to create transformative campaigns that resonate with donors and achieve ambitious outcomes, this presentation will offer confidence and tools to guide campaigns toward success.

Abbi Leinwand Haggerty, Ph.D., Executive Director, Richmond Performing Arts Alliance

In this workshop, participants will go on a journey to discover (or re-discover) why their nonprofit exists, what makes them unique in the “marketplace,” why this sets them up to receive funding from their community, and how they can better align their organization’s efforts for strategic success. Nonprofits must understand the market in which they work, the role they play in meeting a community need, and who is out there to support this work. Without this market analysis and a strong case statement that persuasively communicates the organization’s “raison d’être,” it’s impossible to maximize the funding that is available to help you meet your mission. This workshop is not about an elevator speech (or the one-pager that we all get asked for!). It’s about taking your passion for your organization’s mission and being able to effectively convey the importance of your work to the broader community to strengthen your organization’s capacity in order to achieve its vision.

Participants will:

• Be able to clearly articulate the community need that your nonprofit addresses.
• Complete a market analysis to determine other organizations (in any sector) that address the same need and why your organization is unique in its approach to the work (your competitive advantage).
• Identify the constituencies most likely to support your work and determine if your existing funding model is best suited to garner their support.
• Reflect on your organization’s current operations and programs and decide on three actionable steps you will take when you return to the office to better align your organization with its competitive advantage and constituencies.

Virginia Thumm, President, Virginia Fundraising Consultants

A successful partnership with your donors depends on deepening their trust in your organization, and in you. If donors don’t have a deep confidence in your organization – or in you as a representative of the organization – they are not going to make a large investment. Using AFP’s updated Code of Ethics, this session will offer a clear explanation of the new Code, especially its keener focus on transparency and conflicts of interest, as well as a broader conversation around improving donor relationships and tactical ethical challenges.

Lindsey O-Pries, CEO, O-Pries Consulting

Research consistently shows that diverse teams achieve the best outcomes. In this workshop, we’ll explore effective strategies for building and retaining diverse teams that perform at their highest potential. While this is a broad topic, we’ll focus on key areas such as hiring practices, onboarding processes, and creating a team culture and operational framework that support long-term engagement and retention. This session goes beyond racial diversity, addressing the many dimensions of diversity—including age, gender, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences—to help you build a truly inclusive and high-performing team. Join us for an insightful session with practical takeaways for fostering a thriving, diverse workplace.

To be announced.

Amy Nisenson, Principal Consultant, Nisenson Consulting LLC and Karen LaForge, Consultant, Nisenson Consulting LLC

This workshop is designed to help nonprofit leaders refine and strengthen their fundraising strategies. Participants will learn how to put together a fund development plan, which includes aligning fundraising goals with organizational objectives. Through interactive exercises, attendees will assess the effectiveness of their efforts and explore key metrics for measuring return on investment (ROI) and how to track progress over time. By the end of the session, participants will have a clearer roadmap for improving fundraising impact and making data-driven decisions.

Pedro J. Rivera, Principal, PJR Consulting, LLC

A well-structured, Planned Giving program can offer long-term financial stability for nonprofits, ensuring they can achieve their mission for generations to come. This presentation will guide nonprofit leaders, development professionals, and board members through the essential steps to establish and grow a successful Planned Giving program.

Shannon Williams, Managing Director, Armstrong McGuire

Development is more than a job; it is a career. Join this interactive session to learn how to proactively shape your own career with intention and grace, as well as how to help others grow in the profession. Whether you are a rising development star or a mentor to others, this session will help you think about ways to enhance the journey while achieving your professional goals.

Victoria Jackson, Consultant, The Spark Mill

As DEI terminology and priorities evolve, the need to adapt while maintaining impactful practices will be critical for fundraisers. This session will explore how to align fundraising strategies with the changing DEI landscape. Participants will gain actionable insights and real-world examples to ensure their fundraising efforts remain effective and inclusive despite shifting social and political climates.

Aaron Lee, CEO, Leaders Rising Network and Michael Pumphrey, Coach, Leaders Rising Network

Successful fundraising isn’t just about asking for money, it’s about building authentic influence and trust with donors, stakeholders, and communities. This workshop leverages the Influence Model to help nonprofit professionals understand how to effectively inspire action, foster meaningful relationships, and create lasting impact.

Through engaging activities and actionable strategies, attendees will learn how to elevate their fundraising efforts by aligning their values with their audience’s aspirations. Walk away with tools to authentically connect with supporters, and your team, while turning influence into results for your organization’s mission.

Erik Tomalis, Chief Revenue Officer, Avid AI

AI doesn’t have to be scary or mysterious. You don’t need a PhD in machine learning or a team of data scientists to put it to work. At its core, AI is just a tool, one that can help your nonprofit save time, uncover insights, and build stronger donor relationships. The challenge? Most nonprofits are stuck. They hear the hype, they see the buzzwords, and they freeze. What is AI? Where do you even start?

This session removes the noise and breaks it down. You’ll see how AI transforms donor data into personalized experiences that delight, engage, and inspire giving. Growth doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from doing what matters, better.

Robert J. Brennan, Executive Director of Gift Planning, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; Ken Wolfe, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

No visit to Colonial Williamsburg is complete without a stop at the Raleigh Tavern Bakery for some of our world-famous ginger cake cookies. Please join Bob and Ken for their Baker’s Dozen of gift planning tips that are sure to help your gift planning program thrive in 2025. Key goals include:

• Demonstrating trends and techniques that will help organizations secure more new, and grow existing, gift plans.
• Showing why active gift planning programs generate significantly more revenue.
• Highlighting the importance of internal and external collaboration.

We’ll share examples of effective gift planning marketing material that generates responses, demonstrate why listening may be one of the best the tools we have, and explain why the power of stories inspires and connects us to things much bigger than ourselves.

Linda Pierce, Co-Principal, TEOconsulting, LLC & James Burke, Co-Principal, TEOconsulting, LLC

This workshop focuses on understanding emotional intelligence, in oneself, and how it advances relationship building with others. We will introduce the five key elements of emotional intelligence and deliver a short, practical assessment for participants to gauge their own level of emotional intelligence. We will follow with ideas to incorporate this knowledge into development work.

Nikkia Johnson, Senior Development and Communications Officer, Legal Aid Justice Center

Community-centric fundraising pushes on the status quo by fundraising in a way that reduces harm and furthers social justice. This session will explore and provide concrete, actionable tools for using a community-centric lens in different organizational contexts.

Participants will learn:

• 10 Principles of Community-centric Fundraising 
• Creating conditions for community-centric fundraising
• Actions you can start taking now to be more community-centric

Amy Nisenson, Principal Consultant, Nisenson Consulting LLC

“Strategic corporate fundraising” involves a thoughtful, targeted approach where non-profit organizations seek donations and partnerships from businesses by aligning their mission with the company’s values, objectives, and community priorities. This approach often includes tactics such as direct giving, employee-giving programs, and sponsorship opportunities designed to create mutual benefits and generate meaningful, long-term support. This workshop will help you unlock the secrets to successful corporate fundraising.

Josh Hirsch, Education and Training Specialist, Fundraise Up

Sentiment analysis is a powerful tool that interprets and quantifies emotions in donor and constituent communications. By understanding the sentiment behind donor and constituent interactions, you can craft more effective and emotionally resonant campaigns. This approach not only enhances your fundraising efforts, but also deepens your connection with your audience. In this session, you’ll explore how AI facilitates personalized donor stewardship at scale and learn how to use AI to create tailored experiences for each donor, fostering stronger relationships and improving donor engagement.

James Wasilewski, Executive Director of Leadership Annual Giving, VCU

Fundraising professionals know that donor meetings rarely go as planned. In this engaging and interactive session, participants will explore strategies to handle tough questions, unexpected detours, or challenging moments with confidence and adaptability. Using an innovative approach and techniques, group discussions, and practice opportunities, you will develop the skills to stay poised, purposeful, and donor-focused – turning surprises into opportunities to build stronger relationships.

Samuel Anderson, CEO/Owner, Enso Media Firm

In this workshop, our presenter will guide nonprofit leaders through the essential strategies and tools needed to expand their reach, engage their communities, and drive meaningful action through social media. Participant will explore the power of storytelling, content creation, and platform optimization to enhance visibility and strengthen connections with supporters.

Megan Huffman, Director of Community Outreach, Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation/SHARE Greater Lynchburg and Marjorie Maas, CEO, Share Good

Community foundations play a pivotal role in demystifying local giving. The SHARE Greater Lynchburg initiative of the Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation is a key case study of a region creating equity for donors and nonprofits alike in meeting each other and magnifying the good being done in their community. Along with their national platform partner, Share Good, they work together to democratize philanthropy. Those focused on community outreach, marketing and programming will gain tactical examples to equip and inspire more diverse individuals on their philanthropic journeys.

Mary Fant Donnan, Executive Director, The Alleghany Foundation

In her career, Ms. Donnan moved from working in development to working for a foundation. This session offers some insights on the perspectives of grant applications from the reviewer’s point of view. Donnan has worked in rural Virginia this past decade and also offers some insights on movements within philanthropy in the state. The session will allow time for questions and discussion. 

Natalie Spring, AVP Advancement Solutions, VCU

In this session attendees will learn how to use data to plan a campaign. Using the art and science of fundraising we will use both qualitative and quantitative data available to organizations of any size to understand how to evaluate prospect pools and set goals. Additionally, we will explore how to invite partnership across an organization and assess organizational readiness for comprehensive fundraising efforts.

Attendees will walk away with campaign planning worksheets they can use at their own organizations to assess their prospect pool and set reasonable or ambitious goals for their campaigns. They will practice and refine their techniques for assessing organizational readiness for campaigns of different sizes. Attendees will also practice evaluating and strengthening internal relationships necessary for a comprehensive campaign.