PROGRAM & SCHEDULE

Step away from the day-to-day and look toward a brighter future for your organization at this exclusive, game-changing event. Register today!

Possibilities. Partnerships. Progress.
This isn’t just another nonprofit event – it’s your gateway to discovering possibilities, forging powerful partnerships, and driving progress in the nonprofit sector. Immerse yourself in cutting-edge fundraising strategies, innovative tools, and future trends that can shape the future of your organization.

Symposium Highlights:

• Inspiring Keynote Sessions: Hear from renowned thought leaders from within and outside the nonprofit sector.
• Interactive Workshops & Breakout Sessions: Engage in hands-on programs that provide actionable strategies.
• Exclusive Networking Opportunities: Connect with top nonprofit professionals and forge valuable partnerships.

Limited to just 150 seasoned nonprofit leaders with 10+ years of experience and 150 professionals serving the nonprofit sector, this Symposium offers a unique chance to step away from your daily routine and focus on future planning to propel your mission forward.

Check out our keynotes, guest speaker and sessions!

Explore our initial lineup of Thursday-Friday topics, expert speakers and insightful descriptions with even more exciting content being planned! 

Thursday, March 13

Data & AI: How Nonprofits Are Already Leveraging AI and Machine Learning to Improve Fundraising Results
Description: The intersection of Data and Artificial Intelligence has been largely over-shadowed by future possibilities of content-based generative AI. However, nonprofit organizations are already leveraging AI and machine learning to refine fundraising strategies, improve audience targeting, and dramatically improve fundraising outcomes. This session will focus on the latest and greatest in AI data insights and modeling!​
Moderator:​ Thalamus Hill, Senior Vice President, RKD Group; Speaker: John Blackwell, Director, Strategic Analytics, The Nature Conservancy

Building a Bridge to Mid-Level Giving
Description: It’s no secret that many mid-to-major gift donors make their first gift to an organization at a lower threshold and then gradually move up the pipeline as their capacity and inclination to support the organization grows. Where mid-level cultivation strategies are aimed at converting more major donors, nonprofits are also making the case for support for growing the pipeline into mid-level. To sustain and grow this valuable cohort, which grew significantly during COVID, hear from nonprofit leaders on how they are defining mid-level prospect audiences, creating cultivation journeys to upgrade their giving, and measuring the impact.
Speakers:  ​Ishmam Raidah Rahman (they/them/theirs), Deputy Director, Mid-level Giving, International Rescue Committee; Devi Vat-Ho, Senior Manager, Midlevel Giving, USA for UNHCR; Alan Stininger, Executive Director, Direct Response Marketing, Shriners Children’s, Facilitated by: Matthew Frattura, Chief Strategy Officer, SimioCloud

Better Testing Meets Better Results: The Science of Neuro-fundraising
Description: Learn about the latest methods in neuro-fundraising, behavioral science, and research tools that can be applied to: improve your creative performance, assess loyalty and trust in your brand and unveil the predictable unpredictability of your donors’ sentiments. Hear from the American Heart Association on their how they have leveraged neuro-fundraising tools to generate brand research and improve their creative performance.
Speakers: Dr. Steve Agauas, Moore Neuro-Fundraising® Lab; Becky Johnson, National Senior Vice President, Donor Experience and Direct Response Marketing, American Heart Association

Transformative Leadership: Harnessing Executive Coaching and Behavior Science for Fundraising Success
Description: Join us for an engaging 75-minute session that dives deep into how transformative leadership can elevate your (and your teams) fundraising game. This workshop, crafted for fundraisers and nonprofit leaders, will guide you through integrating executive coaching techniques and principles of energy leadership to enhance team dynamics and improve fundraising outcomes.
Speaker: Mallory Erickson, CEO and Founder of the Power Partners Formula™

Making the Case for Investment: A Conversation with a CDMO and a CFO
Description: Fundraisers want to be able to maximize revenue, and be flexible with their fundraising efforts. The Finance teams are in charge of a fiscally responsible organization. How do the two meet in the middle to maximize an organizations fundraising efforts, while leaving room for investing in risky propositions?
Speakers: Alison Corcoran, Chief Development and Marketing Officer, the Humane Society of the United States; W. Hank Hall, Chief Financial Officer, the Humane Society of the United States and Joanne Wilson, Vice President, Advancement Operations, the Humane Society of the United States

The Only Constant is Change: How Can You Adapt
Description: Real world examples of how organizations are pivoting to address the changing landscape of both offline and online data and why organizations should be even more focused on connecting first party data. The session will cover the potential changes at Google as they could be forced to separate their ad technology business, including their ad server (Google Ad Manger) and ad exchange (Google ADX), from their search engine and other digital services. Addressing concerns about conflicts of interest and unfair advantages in the digital advertising market. This may lead organizations to move away from Google’s ecosystem but create more opportunities in an “Open Web”. As the market fragments, privacy-centric solutions will become even more crucial. Hear from American Cancer Society on how they take a balanced approach to managing privacy across the organization that continues to allow for innovation in their donor development efforts.
Speakers:​ Corey Cutter, Assistant General Counsel/Privacy Officer, American Cancer Society; Jason Bier, Chief Privacy Officer & Legal Counsel, Adstra and other speakers to be confirmed

Audience vs. Channel: A New Paradigm for Structuring Your Fundraising Team
Description: For decades, the channel has reigned supreme in how nonprofits organize their fundraising teams. But what if we replaced the channel-led model with an audience-led model, where strategy and revenue targets are developed around specific donor audiences instead of by individual channels like digital and direct mail? Join leaders from two charities to learn how they implemented this innovative new structure at their organizations. They will describe the pros and cons, discuss what needs to be in place to ensure success, and lead a vibrant discussion to help you determine whether this shift is right for your organization.
Speakers:​ Kim Goldsmith-N’Diaye, Chief Development Officer, Orbis; Nosa Adetiba, Deputy Director, Donor Marketing & Production, ACLU

Now is the Time for Purpose-Driven Influencer Marketing
Description:  Influencer marketing is here to stay. Learn how your brand can harness the power of social media to build genuine connections with your constituents by breaking through the noise and collaborating with trusted creators. An effective influencer marketing campaign can help build an organization’s brand trust, engage new audiences and drive action. Learn how purpose-driven organizations have seen success investing in strategies to drive both top-of-funnel lead gen strategies and brand building strategies with younger audiences.
Speakers:​ Misti Dragano, Sr. Vice President, Communications, Moore 1st Degree Division; Additional speakers to be confirmed

How Games Can Help Social Impact Organizations Find New Supporters, Deepen Relationships, and Expand Their Brand
Description: Games are often called “the voluntary attempt to overcome unnecessary obstacles.” Some have even suggested that if humans could spend their days doing just one thing, it would be playing games. Anthropologists have coined the term ‘Homo Ludens’ or playing human, highlighting the essential role games play in defining what it means to be human. Games can also be pivotal in transforming us into better fundraisers.​ This workshop aims to equip senior managers and leaders in the NGO sector with a new perspective on how the gaming industry can help them make better decisions in a fast-changing, competitive social impact landscape.​
Speakers:​ Mike Johnston, Founder & President, hjc; Additional speakers to be confirmed

Leveraging the New Charity Navigator Ratings System
Description: Join us for an insightful conversation with Charity Navigator’s Chief Program Officer as we explore their recently updated ratings methodology for nonprofits. This moderated session will delve into the key changes, the rationale behind the updates, and how these new metrics aim to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of charitable organizations. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how Charity Navigator is evolving its approach to help donors make more informed giving decisions.
Moderator: Shannon McCracken, CEO, TNPA; Speakers:  Laura Andes, Chief Operations and Programs Officer, Charity Navigator; Claudio Silva, CFO & COO, World Food Program USA

Upskill or Outsource? Strategic Talent Decisions for Nonprofit Growth
Description: Nonprofit leaders often face a pivotal choice: upskill existing team members or outsource expertise. This session will guide leaders through the strategic decision-making process, exploring key factors such as cost, impact, team retention, and alignment with organizational goals. With real-world examples and interactive discussions, attendees will gain practical insights to evaluate their options, make informed choices, and harness the expertise of others. Join us to learn how to strengthen your team and make decisions that support sustainable growth.
Facilitated by:​ Jennifer Meder, Managing Partner, hyve with additional speakers to be confirmed

Friday, March 14

Beyond the Mailbox: Embracing New Channels to Combat the Challenging Acquisition Environment
Description: For decades, direct mail has been the foundation of a strong donor acquisition program, even as digital channels have rapidly expanded recently. Recent industry-wide trends in performance combined with rising costs of production, however, have dramatically impacted organizations’ ability to acquire donors via direct mail and make the math “work”. Those factors combined with changes in consumer behavior, privacy and data availability, print technology, and constant marketplace disruptions have forced nonprofit leaders to rethink how they reach prospect audiences and acquire new donors. In this session, hear from leaders as they discuss recent opportunities they’ve explored in new acquisition channels and the discussions they had around the decisions to take on these risks (investment, strategy, short and long-term measurement). ​
Speakers:​ Dana Bunke, Senior Vice President, Direct Response and Integrated Fundraising, Easterseals

The Biggest Winner: Biggest Bang for the $1M
Description: As nonprofits, we have to look for innovative ways to grow our files, increase support for the populations we serve, or expand our footprints. More than ever, getting those donations is a huge challenge, and a million dollars can seem like a boon, or a drop in the bucket. Today, we will hear from 3 nonprofits who will be participating in a game show! Audience engagement is part of this session, so come ready to have a little fun!
Facilitated by: Brenna Holmes, Independent Consultant; Speakers:​ P. Kevin Payne, Assistant Vice President of Philanthropy, Christian Appalachia Project; Jennifer Lomax, Senior Executive Director of Development, National Direct Response Programs, City of Hope

Ensuring “AI for Good” in Your Fundraising: Seven Questions You Need to Ask
Description: What might be the true impact of AI on your fundraising, your brand, your data practices, and your mission? How can you be intentional around the adoption of AI in your program? Join three AI thought leaders for a “fireside chat” as they tackle the opportunities, challenges, and ethics around the use of artificial intelligence in fundraising.
Speakers: Meena Das, NamasteData.org​; Rich Kostro, Chief Information Officer, Share Our Strength​

Fundraising in Affiliated Organizations​
Description: Federated or chapter-based organizations face unique challenges related to their structure. Setting revenue targets, sharing data, improving ways of working… Well, if you know, you know. Join this session to share challenges and opportunities and generate fresh approaches alongside colleagues who are also working in affiliated organizations. We will use structured conversations to elevate the ideas and expertise in the room. You’ll walk away with new ideas and a support network to call on when the next challenge arises.​
Facilitated by: Abby Graf, Vice President of Programs, TNPA