Workshop Session VI (Click for session descriptions)

BELONGING AS A LEADING INDICATOR: WHAT DONORS FEEL BEFORE THEY GIVE MORE

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.

THE VIRGINIA GRANTS LANDSCAPE: A FIELD GUIDE FOR RIGHT NOW

The grants landscape looks nothing like it did two years ago. Federal funding has contracted dramatically. State priorities are shifting. And private foundations are fielding a wave of new applicants from organizations that never needed them before. If your grants strategy hasn’t changed. It’s already behind.

This session maps the full grants landscape in Virginia — federal, state, local, private, and corporate — so development officers can see the whole board. We’ll walk through what’s happening at each level: where funding is growing, where it’s shrinking, who the new competitors are, and where the overlooked opportunities sit.

We’ll pay particular attention to the ripple effects. When thousands of formerly federal-dependent organizations pivot to private philanthropy, it changes the competitive dynamics for everyone. Foundations are adjusting. Corporate funders are rethinking. And that means different things for everyone.

HOW TO CREATE A SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY FOR SMALL SHOPS

In a world where social media trends come and go in the blink of an eye, it’s crucial for nonprofits to adopt a long-term strategy to thrive in the ever-changing digital landscape. However, the third sector faces unique challenges in maintaining a long-term social media strategy that drives sustainable impact.

With practical tips and case studies, Julia will demonstrate how to effectively use social media to craft effective calls-to-action that convert fans and followers to donors and long-term supporters. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies, inspiration, and real-world examples of ways that even small nonprofits can market their mission and services on social media.

GETTING THE WORD OUT: WORKING WITH THE MEDIA

How do you get the word out and earn media attention? Emmy Award-winning journalist and public relations professional Amy Lacey will lead this session to give you the tools and knowledge you need to connect with media to get the word out about your work. Amy will cover how to build relationships with the media, how to craft a compelling and relevant pitch, what to do when you get the call, and more.

THE OTHER NONPROFIT CULTURES: CULTURE OF CURIOSITY, CULTURE OF EXPERIMENTATION AND A CULTURE OF INNOVATION

How do we create a culture of curiosity where asking questions, discussing new ideas, encouraging different perspectives, learning from mistakes is encouraged. Where curiosity leads to a culture of experimentation where ideas, expectations shape how donor research is done and where creativity, new ideas are embedded in our daily operations with our various stakeholders.