PRESENTER

SESSION TITLE & DESCRIPTION

Jim Shapiro
Better Fundraising Company

How to Ask for a Major Gift

2025 might just be the Year of the Major Gift.

That’s because with all the uncertainty in the world, nonprofits need major donors more than ever.

And thankfully, major donors are more generous than ever.

But that doesn’t mean asking for a major gift is any less intimidating.

Here’s why: asking for a major gift is like wrapping a present -- if you only do it once or twice a year, you’re just not going to be good at it.

So come to this intensive to get plenty of opportunities to practice your Asking!

In this deep-dive intensive workshop, Jim Shapiro will give you both the exact roadmap and the practice you need to confidently ask for major gifts. Jim will walk you through every step of the asking process -- from finding the right prospects to securing that crucial ‘Yes.’

During this hands-on intensive, you'll:

• Learn how to spot major gift potential in your current donor base
• Craft the perfect script to secure that crucial face-to-face meeting
• Pinpoint the exact amount you should ask a donor for
• Practice your ask through live role-play scenarios (in a safe, supportive environment)
• Develop follow-up strategies that turn "maybe" into "yes!"

The most important part of this intensive will be the role-playing. You’ll get real-time, live and in the moment feedback on your Asking.

And that muscle memory is exactly what you need to make asking feel natural and comfortable. 

Steven Screen
Better Fundraising Company

Your GivingTuesday and Year-End Email Campaigns from Start to Finish

Here's a scary truth: The two biggest giving opportunities of the year - GivingTuesday and End of December emails -- are often the most rushed, least planned campaigns fundraisers create.

But this year can be different.  Instead of that last-minute scramble, imagine having these two important campaigns completed and ready to launch by mid-November.

And the best part?  You'll craft these campaigns alongside Steven Screen, who's helped hundreds of nonprofits raise millions through powerful year-end campaigns.  His proven approach will help you create appeals that inspire unprecedented generosity (and make your boss and board wonder how you did it).

Roll up your sleeves -- this is a working session.  You'll create attention-grabbing emails that inspire action, social posts that stand out in crowded feeds, and even draft video scripts that tell your story in ways donors can't resist.

Because you’ll craft your GivingTuesday and Year-End Email series together, you can leverage the power of repetition … which will help build momentum (and boost revenue) so you can have your vert best Year End campaign.

And to help you multiply the impact of these two campaigns, Steven will show you his proven method for securing matching gifts.  (Spoiler alert: it's way easier than you think!)

Throughout this intensive, you'll get real-time feedback from both Steven and your peers, so your campaigns will be polished and powerful.  By the end of the intensive, you'll have everything you need to launch successful GivingTuesday and Year-End Email campaigns as soon as you get back to the office.

Your most successful GivingTuesday and Year-End Email campaigns are waiting to be created.  Ready to make them happen?

Diana Farias Heinrich + Frank Velásquez, Jr.
Habra Marketing + 4 Da Hood

The Ethical Fundraising Blueprint: Centering Stories with Dignity for Major Gift Success

Transformational gifts are locked inside transformational stories.

So why do so many organizations rely on watered-down stories or statistics in their major gift fundraising?

Because they've never been shown a better way. A way that honors the dignity of their beneficiaries and community AND inspires donors to make their most meaningful gifts.

Frank Velásquez Jr. and Diana Farias Heinrich will show you how to unlock those transformational gifts with transformational stories.

You'll learn two groundbreaking storytelling strategies -- 4 Da Hood's asset-based language application and Habrá Marketing’s EquaStory™ framework -- which will revolutionize how you connect your beneficiaries and communities with your major donors.

You’ll leave this intensive knowing how to craft narratives that honor the full humanity of those you work with (your ‘story owners’) while inspiring your most generous donors.

You'll learn how to eliminate the power dynamics often created in storytelling, moving from exploitation to collaboration (a win-win-win for your organization, donors and the story owners themselves)

During this hands-on, collaborative session, you'll:

1. Create a storytelling approach that builds genuine alliances with major donors while preserving story owner agency

2. Learn the four-step EquaStory™ framework (Explore, Question, Understand, Approve) for ethical narrative development

3. Identify and eliminate deficit-framed language that reinforces harmful stereotypes

4. Transform your existing narratives into asset-based stories through practical exercises

5. Develop strategies to connect personal experiences to systemic root causes

Frank and Diana will guide you through real-world examples from their extensive work with community leaders and nonprofit clients.

You'll walk away with:

• A toolkit for conducting empowering interviews that center the story owner's voice
• Templates for ethical consent forms that protect dignity and clarify boundaries
• Techniques for inspiring major gifts through narratives that highlight strengths and aspirations
• A framework for building lasting donor-community relationships based on mutual respect

Frank and Diana will show you how ethical storytelling doesn't just inspire more transformational gifts -- it creates more just and equitable spaces for everyone involved in your mission.

Jeff Brooks
Jeff Brooks Fundraising

Transform Your Donor Newsletter from Snooze-Worthy to Spectacular

Are your newsletters collecting dust instead of donations?  You are not alone.  Most nonprofits struggle to create newsletters that donors actually want to read.

But what if your next newsletter was so compelling, donors called to thank you for sending it?

In this intensive, master fundraiser Jeff Brooks will share his proven system for creating newsletters that donors look forward to reading -- and that raise enough money to pay for themselves.

You'll learn:

• The secret formula that turns ordinary organizational updates into must-read donor communications
• How to find and select photos that capture attention and emotions (even if you don't have a photographer)
• The art of writing headlines and photo captions that pull donors into your stories
• Proven techniques for transforming complex program information into donor-friendly narratives

Here’s the thing about a good donor newsletter.  Yes, it raises money.  But it also INCREASES donor retention.  Which means you’ll raise even more money in the future.

That’s the whole basis of a sustainable fundraising system.  And a high performing donor newsletter is the linchpin in that system.

When you walk out of this intensive, you’ll take with you a clear blueprint for your next donor newsletter and a toolkit of proven storytelling techniques.

Come to this intensive and learn how to create newsletters your donors will treasure, read, and respond to with joy and generosity.

PRESENTER

SESSION TITLE & DESCRIPTION

Tammy Zonker
Fundraising Transformed

Creating a love story with your donors

Imagine transforming your donor relationships from routine transactions into passionate partnerships that fuel your mission for years to come. This presentation unveils the art of donor connection through the powerful lens of Love-Based Leadership – where authenticity, humility, and genuine care become your most valuable fundraising tools.

You'll discover how leading with heart creates emotional resonance that turns occasional contributors into devoted advocates who champion your cause as their own. Through engaging stories and proven strategies, you'll learn to craft donor experiences that feel like meaningful collaborations in a shared journey.

Tammy Zonker will share practical, immediately applicable techniques for creating donor relationships that stand the test of time. You'll explore how strategic storytelling and transparency build the trust that underpins successful partnerships, while learning to create personalized touchpoints that make donors feel truly valued. Whether you're struggling with donor retention or looking to elevate strong relationships, you'll walk away with an actionable framework for nurturing donor love stories that transform both your organization's impact and your supporters' sense of purpose.

What you'll learn:

• The Love-Based Leadership Approach – Discover how leading with authenticity, humility and genuine care transforms donor relationships from transactional to transformational, creating partnerships built on shared values and mutual respect.
• How to Craft Emotionally Resonant Donor Narratives – Develop storytelling techniques that position donors as heroes in your mission, helping them see their direct impact while creating the emotional connections that drive long-term engagement and support.
• How to Create a Human-Centered Donor Experience – Implement practical strategies for personalizing communications, celebrating contributions, and fostering transparency that builds trust and inspires donors to see themselves as integral to your organization's success story.

Ken Miller
Denali FSP

From Script to Screen - How Fundraisers Turn Behavioral Science into Donor Magic

Step into the director’s chair and learn how to turn donor engagement into a blockbuster experience. In this fast-paced, film-themed session, Ken Miller will combine behavioral economics with iconic movie moments to show you how to craft emotionally resonant, action-inspiring giving experiences.

From choice framing to narrative timing, you’ll walk away with practical tools to design donor moments that feel less like transactions – and more like unforgettable scenes.

What You’ll Learn:

• Understand key behavioral economics principles (e.g., loss aversion, social proof, choice architecture) and how they influence donor decision-making.
• Analyze iconic movie scenes to extract storytelling techniques that align with donor motivations and emotional triggers.
• Apply cinematic framing and behavioral cues to design donor experiences that create lasting, meaningful moments and increase engagement.

Mary R. Snyder
Impact with Story

The Brain on Story: How Storytelling Impacts Giving

Ever wondered why a great story sticks with you and moves people to give? In this workshop, we’ll dive into the brain science behind storytelling and why it’s the secret sauce for inspiring generosity. You’ll learn how to craft stories that trigger emotional and neurological responses, fostering genuine connections with your supporters. The best part? You can start using these strategies right away to create stories that captivate and inspire giving.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to UNDERSTAND the neuroscience behind effective storytelling - Discover the brain mechanisms that make stories stick and trigger emotional responses that lead to giving

• Techniques to CRAFT narratives that activate specific neurological pathways - Learn to develop stories that create genuine emotional connections and inspire generosity

• Practical strategies to IMPLEMENT story-driven approaches immediately - Walk away with ready-to-use storytelling frameworks that you can apply to your next fundraising campaign

John Lepp
Agents of Good

Crafting Your Storytelling Super Hack: The Director’s Cut

Lights, camera… emotion! This hour-long dramedy is your behind-the-scenes pass to the storytelling "super hack" that blockbuster fundraisers like you can use to inspire action and spark generosity. You'll step into the role of creative director—rewriting tired scripts, casting compelling characters, and using cinematic storytelling and decision science insights to emotionally move your audience (and their wallets).

Whether you're producing a suspenseful direct mail appeal, a tear-jerking donor newsletter, or a heartwarming legacy ask, this session gives you the tools to break through the fourth wall and transform passive viewers into passionate supporters. You'll discover how to craft narratives that don't just inform but truly resonate, creating fundraising stories that your donors can't wait to be part of.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to UNLOCK your inner creative deviant - Break free from traditional fundraising story tropes that bore donors and discover fresh narrative approaches
• Techniques to CAST the full range of your organization's "voices" - Create more dynamic, human, and effective donor communications by featuring authentic characters
• The science behind stories that MOVE people to act - Harness key principles of decision science—like social proof, loss aversion, and the bizarreness effect—to craft scenes and stories that trigger generosity

Diana Farias Heinrich
Habra Marketing

Next Level Consent: Centering Story Owners in Nonprofit Narratives

You've got the signed consent form. The story is powerful. Your donors will love it. So why does something still feel... off?

Getting permission to share someone's story is just the beginning, not the end, of ethical storytelling. Too many nonprofits stop at consent forms and miss the deeper work of creating genuine partnerships with the people behind their most compelling narratives. The result? Stories that might drive donations but leave community members feeling exploited rather than empowered.

In this session, Diana Heinrich will introduce her EquaStory™ framework -- a practical approach that moves organizations from permission-based to partnership-based storytelling. You'll learn how to assess your current practices, identify digital privacy risks you might not even know exist, and craft narratives that both respect boundaries and drive donor engagement. Through real-world case studies, you'll see how organizations have successfully transformed their storytelling culture while still advancing their mission.

You'll walk away with concrete tools to build ethical storytelling practices that honor the dignity and agency of story owners -- because the most powerful stories are the ones where everyone wins.

What You'll Learn:

• How to assess your current storytelling practices using the EquaStory™ Scorecard -- Implement an easy-to-use tool that measures your organization's ethical storytelling approach and identifies specific areas for immediate improvement
• Techniques to follow the four-step EquaStory™ Framework -- Transform your organization's storytelling culture from permissions-based to partnership-based through a clear, actionable process
• Strategies for selective storytelling that protects while it persuades -- Master the art of knowing what not to share while still creating compelling narratives that drive donor engagement and respect story owners' boundaries

T. Clay Buck
Next River Fundraising

Telling the Impossible Story: How to Spark Donor Emotion When You Don’t Have a Tearjerker Tale

What if your nonprofit doesn’t have a poster child? What if there’s no single person to spotlight – no dramatic rescue, no tidy before-and-after? What if your mission is the slow, steady work of systems change, community care, or public good?

This is the impossible story. And it’s more common than you think.

In this session, Clay Buck will help you crack the code on storytelling for organizations whose impact can’t be summed up in a single anecdote. You’ll learn how to craft emotionally resonant narratives without relying on individual drama to make your case – and why that’s actually a strength. Through practical tools and field-tested examples, you’ll see how to turn abstract outcomes into powerful donor invitations rooted in character, conflict, and mission.

If your organization’s story has ever felt “too complex” to tell, this is the session that proves it’s not.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to IDENTIFY storytelling challenges for complex missions - Understand the limitations of traditional fundraising narratives and discover the components of compelling stories when individual beneficiaries aren't available
• Techniques to APPLY a practical storytelling framework - Uncover mission-driven characters and conflicts within your organization's work that create emotional resonance without relying on individual drama
• Methods to CREATE powerful donor-facing stories - Transform abstract or large-scale impact into clear, authentic, and urgent fundraising messages that motivate action

Kristin Sukraw
StoryFind

“Driving Fundraising Magic the Disney Way: Using Real Storytellers to Craft Relatable Characters and Themes

Ever wondered why you leave a movie and think about it later? It’s not just the action or the dialogue—it’s the characters. We see ourselves in their struggles, their doubts, their triumphs. Whether it’s a boxer told he’ll never make it, a dreamer dismissed as unrealistic, or an underdog fighting to be seen, the most unforgettable films hook us by reflecting our deepest human fears and hopes.

Nonprofit storytelling can be just as powerful. In this engaging keynote, author, psychotherapist and award winning storyteller Kristin Sukraw, looks at what makes a real-life unforgettable character in your fundraising stories. When your donors connect personally to your storytellers, that is where true magic happens.

You'll explore how to uncover and shape real stories from your community and draw out universal themes that spark recognition in your audience, inspire empathy, and drive generosity.

Come ready to see your storytellers through a cinematic lens. You’ll leave with tools to create storytelling moments that aren’t just heartwarming—they’re transformative for your entire community.

Frank Velásquez, Jr.
4 Da Hood

With ❤️ and 🙏🏽 : How to Make Every Email Feel Like a Personal Note

Sick of sending emails that sound canned and impersonal? Discover how to crack the code in turning boring email blasts into messages your subscribers actually look forward to opening! Frank Velásquez, Jr. will share the secrets behind getting ridiculous open rates by keeping it real with every send (hint: people open emails that feel like they’re from a friend, not a brand). 

Ditch the templates and cookie-cutter approaches. This session is all about adding your special flavor to create emails that hit different. You'll walk away with practical techniques to transform your nonprofit's email communications from forgettable to friendship-building, creating the kind of authentic connection that drives engagement and support.

What You'll Learn:

• How to CRAFT email marketing messages that feel like 1:1 notes - Master writing techniques that maintain your authentic voice even as your audience grows
• Techniques to DEVELOP catchy subject lines and personalized content - Build an engaged community that actively connects with your organization through email

Jess Campbell
Out in the Boons

How Having An Opinion Will Raise Your Nonprofit More Money: 3 Ways (with Examples!) Thought Leadership Will Make Fundraising Easier

People give to people—period. Now more than ever, donors want to align their giving with leaders of causes they trust. So how do you get your donors to trust you? By showing up as a thought leader who shares what keeps you up at night, your POV on important topics, and what really went down at the recent board meeting. When you pull back the curtain and give your donor community these behind-the-scenes insights, you're not just being transparent—you're digitally building trust. In 2025, that is pure as gold.

In this session, Jess Campbell of Out in the Boons will teach you three practical ways to show up as a thought leader that will make fundraising for your nonprofit significantly easier. You'll discover how to create compelling content that resonates with your audience, engage your email subscribers in meaningful ways, and ultimately convert those relationships into donations. Because the best marketing and fundraising doesn't feel like marketing and fundraising at all—it feels like a genuine connection between people who care about the same things.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to BRAINSTORM your next 10 Thought Leadership content ideas - Develop a pipeline of authentic, engaging topics that showcase your expertise and build trust with potential donors
• Techniques to SHOW UP as a true Thought Leader to your email list - Learn specific strategies to craft messages that get opened, read, and remembered by your subscribers
• The step-by-step process to turn email ENGAGEMENT into donations - Master the art of nurturing subscribers from interested readers to committed donors without making them feel "fundraised."

Geraldine Zamora
Community Boost

Stop the Scroll: How Video Ads Turn Viewers into Supporters (Without Breaking Your Budget)

You've created an incredible video that tells your story perfectly. It's compelling, emotional, and exactly what your supporters need to see. So why are only 47 people watching it -- and half of them are your staff?

The problem isn't your video. It's that creating great content is only half the battle. The other half is getting it in front of the people who will actually care about your cause and take action. That's where strategic video advertising comes in.

In this session, Geraldine Zamora from Community Boost will show you how to amplify your impact with video ads that reach the right people without blowing your budget. You'll discover how to turn your existing videos into powerful advertising assets that stop the scroll, spark engagement, and guide viewers through your entire donor journey -- from first awareness to committed supporter.

Whether you're trying to reach new audiences or re-engage people who've already shown interest in your cause, you'll walk away with practical strategies to make video your nonprofit's most effective marketing tool.

What You'll Learn:

• How to create video ads that stop the scroll and spark action -- Discover techniques for crafting compelling video content that captures attention, evokes emotion, and drives engagement across platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram
• Techniques to retarget engaged audiences for a fraction of the cost -- Learn how to strategically re-engage people who have watched your videos or interacted with your content, maximizing your ad spend efficiency
• Strategies to optimize video advertising across different platforms -- Master the nuances of running effective video campaigns on multiple platforms, ensuring your message reaches the right audience in the most impactful way

Maria Bryan
Maria Bryan Creative

Passing the Mic: Building A Storytelling Bureau to Amplify Your Beneficiary's Stories

What if your most powerful fundraising stories didn't come from you at all -- but from the people whose lives your organization has touched? When you pass the mic to those with direct experience, audiences stop being polite listeners and become deeply invested supporters.

In this session, you'll discover how to create a Storytelling Bureau -- a coordinated program that trains your beneficiaries, alumni, and graduates to become skilled storytellers who can speak at your fundraising events, media interviews, and community presentations. Think of it as building your own team of authentic advocates who can share their lived experiences with confidence and impact.

You'll learn how to build this program ethically and sustainably, with trauma-informed practices that protect storytellers while maximizing the emotional resonance of their narratives. You'll walk away with a practical blueprint that turns your beneficiaries into your most persuasive fundraising partners.

What You'll Learn:

• How to DESIGN a Storytelling Bureau that amplifies your mission -- Discover the essential components for equipping beneficiaries to become confident advocates through storytelling techniques, public speaking coaching, and audience adaptation strategies
• Techniques to IMPLEMENT trauma-informed storytelling practices -- Learn how to safeguard storyteller wellbeing while maintaining the emotional power of vulnerable narratives, ensuring ethical practices that protect and empower story owners
• Strategies to CREATE sustainable support systems for storytellers -- Develop appropriate honorarium structures and ongoing support that values storytellers' time, expertise, and emotional labor while building long-term advocacy relationships

Tammy Zonker
Fundraising Transformed

Today's donors don't just want to be told they made a difference -- they want to feel it. In this session, you'll explore how immersive donor experiences can deepen emotional connection, build trust, and inspire transformational giving. From mission simulations to multisensory storytelling and behind-the-scenes access, you'll discover creative, human-centered ways to move beyond traditional engagement tactics.

Tammy will share real-world examples, break down the core elements of effective immersive design, and give you tools to start crafting unforgettable donor experiences -- no big budget required.

Whether you're working with major donors, monthly givers, or campaign supporters, this session will spark fresh ideas and help you turn inspiration into action.

What You'll Learn:

• How to understand the psychology of immersion -- Discover why immersive experiences create deeper donor connections and what makes people feel truly engaged with your cause
• Techniques to use a simple framework for designing immersive donor experiences -- Learn practical methods for creating memorable donor moments that work across different budget levels and mission types
• Strategies to create your own immersive experiences -- Walk away with real-life examples and actionable ideas you can adapt for your organization, plus a renewed sense of what's possible when you lead with heart, story, and imagination

Kristin Steele + Samantha Swaim
Swaim Strategies

"Lights, Camera, CONNECTION!: How to Transform Your Events from B-Movie Blunders to Blockbuster Experiences"

Tired of hosting events that feel like straight-to-DVD flops? What if you could transform passive attendees into passionate protagonists in your nonprofit's story instead of just polite observers who check their phones during your presentation?

Join powerhouse duo Kristin Steele and Samantha Swaim as they reveal how to design gatherings that spark genuine "Aha!" moments and convert one-time guests into lifelong supporters.

You'll discover how to craft purposeful experiences that create authentic connections, weave a memorable storyline through every touchpoint, and direct each element to reinforce your mission with subtlety and impact.

Whether you're planning intimate donor dinners or gala premieres, you'll leave with a director's toolkit for experiences that don't just entertain -- they transform. Because in the crowded nonprofit world, you want to be the show-stopping blockbuster, not another forgettable flick.

What You'll Learn:

• How to TRANSFORM passive attendees into passionate protagonists -- Discover techniques for creating authentic connections that make guests feel like active participants in your nonprofit's story rather than just observers
• Techniques to WEAVE memorable storylines through every event touchpoint -- Learn how to craft cohesive narratives that flow seamlessly from registration to follow-up, reinforcing your mission at every moment
• Strategies to DIRECT each event element for maximum impact -- Master the art of designing purposeful gatherings that convert one-time guests into lifelong supporters through subtlety and storytelling

Rated E for Everyone 🙂

Diane H. Leonard
DH Leonard Consulting

The Feedback Loop: Crafting Compelling Fundraising Stories Together

Just as Seth Rogen's "The Note" humorously captures the delicate dance of giving and receiving feedback in Hollywood, fundraisers face similar challenges when crafting compelling stories for donors. Despite everyone sharing the goal of successful fundraising, not all colleagues feel comfortable providing critical feedback, while others may offer well-intentioned but unfocused input. This session tackles this universal challenge head-on, recognizing that feedback is indeed personal—yet essential for excellence.

Through practical demonstration and interactive discussion, you'll discover specialized techniques like The Perfection Game and Mock/Peer Review that transform how you solicit, receive, and implement feedback. You'll leave equipped with a versatile toolbox of feedback mechanisms tailored to different scenarios, whether you're working on direct mail appeals, email solicitations, or grant applications. More importantly, you'll gain the confidence to foster the open communication and trust that turns good fundraising stories into great ones.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to cultivate a feedback-friendly team culture that encourages honest, constructive input while respecting creative contributions
• Practical techniques for soliciting meaningful feedback on your fundraising stories across different formats and from various stakeholders
• Strategies for delivering candid, actionable feedback that strengthens storytelling without creating tension or defensive reactions
  
  

Cherian Koshy
Kindsight

Avengers, Assemble! What the Marvel Cinematic Universe Teaches Us About Donor Connection
The Neuroscience of Narrative, Emotional Synchrony, and Story Structure that Moves People to Give

What do Marvel blockbusters and major gift conversations have in common? More than you think. In this session, we’ll journey into the Marvel Cinematic Universe to uncover the neuroscience behind great storytelling – specifically neural coupling, narrative transportation, and mirror neurons – and how they create the "Oh" moment in donors' brains.

Using the architecture of successful cinematic universes, we’ll explore how your nonprofit can craft a larger narrative arc that donors want to stay inside, invest in, and feel a part of. Whether you're sending appeals or planning campaigns, you'll walk away with a powerful narrative framework that creates continuity, emotional resonance, and generous action. Create a consistent narrative world across every donor touchpoint—from events to appeals to thank-yous. Learn how cinematic universes build identity, continuity, and connection across stories, characters, and timelines—and how your nonprofit can do the same.

What You’ll Learn:

• Understand how story structures like the Hero’s Journey, ensemble casts, and long-form narrative arcs build donor loyalty
• Learn the science of neural coupling and how to engineer moments of synchrony between donor and message
• Apply cinematic storytelling to your donor communications to make them feel immersive, not transactional

Mary R. Snyder
Impact with Story

Bring your story, and let's make some magic. In this high-energy, interactive workshop, you’ll watch your story go from “meh” to “mesmerizing.” Mary will guide you through recasting your narrative to make it more inspiring and captivating, so your donors can’t help but respond. You’ll walk away with a story that grabs attention, moves hearts, and, most importantly, motivates giving. Whether you’re sharing a story from the stage or one-on-one with a donor, you’ll learn how to craft a narrative that connects, engages, and inspires generosity—right on the spot!

Even if you don't share a story for Mary to workshop, you'll still learn a tremendous amount by watching how she helps others transform their narratives into compelling donor messages.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to IDENTIFY the weak points in your current stories - Discover the specific elements that may be diluting your message's impact and learn techniques to strengthen them

• Techniques to TRANSFORM ordinary narratives into captivating donor messages - Master the art of recasting your stories to make them more inspiring, emotional, and action-oriented

• Practical methods to DELIVER your story effectively - Learn how to present your narrative in ways that create authentic connections and motivate generous responses, whether in person or on stage

Josh Kligman + Jen Renton
StoryRaise + 4-H

Transforming Impact Reports into Donor Engagement Engines

In this session you'll discover how to transform standard nonprofit reporting into compelling digital narratives that captivate donors and drive meaningful engagement. Josh and Jen will help you cut through the noise to deliver the kind of impact reports your donor want to read.  Through real-world examples from organizations like 4-H, Goodwill, and United Way, you'll see exactly how strategic storytelling in digital reports can dramatically improve donor retention while creating authentic connections that inspire continued support.

Beyond theory, this session provides actionable tools to revolutionize your approach to impact reporting. You'll learn how to segment your audience effectively, gather crucial donor insights, and leverage digital platforms to showcase your organization's work with both emotional resonance and transparency. Whether you lead a small local nonprofit or a national organization, you'll leave with concrete strategies to transform your reporting process into a powerful stewardship tool that strengthens donor relationships and advances your mission.

What You’ll Learn:

• Audience-Centered Storytelling – Master the art of segmenting your donor base and crafting personalized narratives that resonate with different supporter motivations, dramatically increasing engagement and response rates.

• Digital Impact Visualization – Transform complex data into compelling visual stories that clearly demonstrate your organization's effectiveness while creating emotional connections that inspire continued giving.

• Measurement & Optimization Framework – Implement practical tools to track donor engagement with your reports, analyze what resonates most effectively, and continuously refine your approach for maximum retention impact.

Kimberly Bottom + Mario Galeano
Feathr + Union Station Homeless Services

When Disaster Strikes: How Marketing Can Support a Community in Need

Your nonprofit has an incredible story to tell, and marketing is how you share that story with the world. But when crisis hits -- whether it's a natural disaster, community tragedy, or unexpected emergency -- can your marketing actually step up to serve your community when they need you most?

Too often in the nonprofit space, marketing isn't viewed as a strategic priority. It's understaffed, underfunded, and cobbled together at the last minute, which drives unreliable, lackluster results. But when you lay the foundation for strong marketing before disaster strikes, it becomes one of your most powerful tools for mobilizing support and serving your community.

In this session, Mario Galeano from Union Station Homeless Services and Kimberly Bottom from Feathr will share how Mario's team's marketing strategies became a lifeline when an unthinkable tragedy hit their community. You'll discover the specific tactics, channels, and best practices they had in place that allowed them to respond swiftly, communicate effectively, and rally unprecedented support when it mattered most.

What You'll Learn:

• How to BUILD marketing foundations that prepare you for crisis -- Discover the essential systems and strategies that allow nonprofits to respond quickly and effectively when unexpected tragedies strike their communities
• Techniques to MOBILIZE your marketing during emergencies -- Learn specific tactics and communication channels that can amplify your response and rally community support when your organization is needed most
• Strategies to TRANSFORM marketing from afterthought to strategic asset -- Understand how proper investment in marketing infrastructure creates reliable results and positions your nonprofit to serve effectively during both everyday operations and crisis situations

Janelle Suzanne
Louder Agency

From Story to Support: How (and Where) to Use Persuasive Narratives to Attract More Donors to Your Nonprofit

How do the world's greatest creators, leaders, and brands earn trust? They don't just tell their story; they tell their audience's story and how they fit into it. This starts with the heart—not a script, a beat sheet, or even a marketing angle. In this transformative session, we'll demystify the strategy behind effective brand storytelling that resonates with donors on a deeper level. You'll discover how to harness empathy to build genuine connections and create catalyst experiences that inspire action, turning passive supporters into passionate advocates for your cause.

Moving beyond traditional marketing approaches, Janelle Suzanne will guide you through a practical framework used by million-dollar organizations to craft donor-centered narratives. Through interactive exercises and real-world examples, you'll identify current communication barriers, clarify your unique positioning, and develop compelling stories that speak directly to your ideal supporters. When you leave this session, you’ll have mapped your audience's transformation journey and crafted narratives that position your nonprofit as the essential guide in their story.  So you’re not just another organization asking for money.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to discover what's turning OFF your audience and replace these missteps with empathy-driven narratives that build trust and genuine connection

• Techniques to tell the STORIES your audience wants to hear and fine-tune key messages that speak DIRECTLY to your ideal supporters' values and motivations

• The EXACT framework used by million-dollar organizations to create your audience's Before & After grid and develop transformation stories that inspire action

Marc A. Pitman
Concord Leadership Group

Discover Your Inner Hero: Discover Your Leadership Story, Strength, and Style

Ever wish you could lead like the heroes in your favorite movies — calm under pressure, clear in purpose, and magnetic to those around them? Good news: You already have the instincts. You just need the script.

In this interactive and surprisingly fun session, you'll explore what draws you to iconic characters like T’Challa, Gandalf, or Princess Leia — and what that says about your natural leadership strengths. Whether you're facing big decisions, navigating conflict, or trying to inspire your team, the clues to your most effective leadership style may be hiding in plain sight... on your screen.

Come for the pop culture. Leave with a renewed sense of clarity, confidence, and tools you can use right away.

What You’ll Learn:

• Uncover Your Superpower – Discover the leadership traits you share with legendary characters — and how to apply them in real life.

• Craft Your Leadership Story – Shape a personal leadership narrative that earns trust, sparks action, and feels true to you.

• Lead with Courage and Charisma – Use storytelling-based strategies to guide your team through conflict, change, and uncertainty.

Erica Waasdorp
A Direct Solution

Lights out! Cameras on! Spotlight on Storytelling for Recurring Donors

Great storytelling isn't just for one-time donations: it's the key to building a loyal community of recurring donors who stay engaged and invested in your mission. When donors connect emotionally with your cause through a powerful story, they're more likely to commit to ongoing support – and that support provides the reliable funding your organization needs to thrive.

In this session, you’ll learn how to craft and share stories that inspire donors to give regularly and remain committed for the long haul. Erica Waasdorp will share the psychology behind sustained giving, demonstrate how to create emotionally resonant content across different channels (including video), and show you how to personalize your approach for different donor segments.

Whether you're just starting to build a sustainer program or looking to strengthen recurring donor loyalty, you'll leave with actionable strategies to harness the power of storytelling and create lasting connections with your monthly supporters.

What You’ll Learn:

• The psychology of storytelling that drives sustained giving - Understand the emotional triggers that transform one-time donors into committed monthly supporters
• Techniques for crafting COMPELLING stories across multiple channels - Learn how to develop and share impactful narratives through video and other media that motivate recurring gifts
• How to PERSONALIZE storytelling for different donor segments - Implement targeted communication strategies that engage and retain recurring donors based on their unique connection to your mission

Daniel Jenkins
StoryFind

Using Data in Successful Storytelling

Discover the secret alchemy of transforming cold statistics into compelling narratives that inspire action. In this engaging session, Daniel Jenkins reveals how to seamlessly blend data and emotion using Aristotle's Rhetorical Triangle to create stories that both convince and convert. You'll learn the innovative "tuck and fold" method that weaves powerful statistics into emotional arcs, enhancing credibility while maintaining the human connection that drives donor motivation. Through real-world examples, you'll see how the right data at the right moment can transform a good story into an irresistible call to action.

Like peanut butter and jelly or Batman and Robin, data and storytelling create magic when properly combined. Daniel and his Storyfind colleagues have spent years helping nonprofits harness this powerful combination to move donors from interest to investment. Whether you're reporting impact or crafting your next appeal, you'll leave with practical techniques for infusing your stories with purposeful data that resonates long after your message is delivered. This session bridges the gap between analytical minds and emotional hearts—giving you tools to create narratives that inspire supporters to become part of your story.

What You'll Learn:

• Master the "Tuck and Fold" Method – Learn practical techniques for seamlessly incorporating compelling statistics into emotional narratives that enhance credibility while maintaining the human connection that motivates donors to act.
• Apply the Rhetorical Triangle to Nonprofit Messaging – Discover how to balance ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic) to create data-driven stories that both convince and convert your audience.
• Transform Impact Reporting into Inspiration – Develop skills to present your organization's results as part of a larger narrative that helps donors see themselves as heroes in your ongoing mission rather than just funders of past success.

Jeff Brooks
Jeff Brooks Fundraising

The “Default” Fundraising Direct Mail that Everyone Sends – and What you Should Send Instead

It’s mind-numblingly common: Nonprofits everywhere send out direct mail appeals that look the same, are written the same, and have the same elements. It’s easy, relatively inexpensive, and it seems to make logical sense.

The problem is, almost every detail in the “default” appeal is ineffective at raising money! It’s costing us millions in lost revenue every year.

I’ll show you why the default appeal doesn’t work and give you a few alternative starting points that are proven to be effective – and they won’t break your budget.

You’ll be fully equipped to confidently create direct mail fundraising that does the job to motivate your donors to give.

Erik Tomalis
Avid AI

Full Throttle Fundraising: Leadership Lessons from Top Gun
It’s Not the Plane -- It’s the Pilot

In a world where nonprofit leaders are constantly asked to do more with less, sometimes what you need isn’t more resources – it’s a shift in mindset. Inspired by the adrenaline, grit, and Maverick-level resolve of Top Gun: Maverick, this session uses pop culture as a launchpad for powerful leadership lessons tailored to fundraisers and nonprofit professionals.

Whether you’re navigating change, mentoring your team, or recalibrating after a setback, the Maverick mindset is about leading with clarity, courage, and speed when it counts. This fast-paced session will give attendees both inspiration and practical takeaways to pilot their organizations with confidence – through turbulence and all.

What You’ll Learn:

• Team Empowerment & Leadership - Discover how investing in your people creates more impact than focusing solely on tools or technology. Learn practical ways to build a culture where team members take ownership of their roles.
• Balancing Strategy with Action - Find the sweet spot between thoughtful planning and forward momentum. Explore how calculated risk-taking drives innovation, even when the path gets messy.
• Sustainable Performance - Develop resilience practices that help your team bounce back from setbacks while avoiding burnout. Learn to maintain mission focus through challenges while knowing when to rest and recalibrate.

Rachel Zant
Pen With Purpose

Cultivating Your Hollywood Story Garden: A Blockbuster Approach to Narrative Growth

Just like a director crafting a cinematic masterpiece, you'll learn a five-step process to cultivate and grow your own thriving story garden, ready to captivate audiences and leave them wanting more. Are you tired of your organization telling the same old story, from the same perspective? It's time to shake things up and bring a touch of magic to your narratives. In this hands-on session, you'll roll up your sleeves and dive into the art of storytelling, Hollywood-style.

Discover how to cultivate fresh and dynamic story perspectives, sow the seeds for a star-studded list of interviewees, and nourish your stories with empathetic, Oscar-worthy interview questions. You'll leave with a blockbuster process to grow a garden of stories that can be harvested for your organization's emails, newsletters, direct mail appeals, and more. Join Rachel and become the director of your own storytelling success, creating narratives that are as compelling as a Hollywood blockbuster!

What You’ll Learn: 

• How to MASTER the five steps to identify your best stories - Start collecting them just like a producer scouting for the next big hit
• Techniques to CONDUCT effective, impactful interviews - Capture the content you need for your appeals and communications, ensuring your stories shine like a Hollywood premiere

• Tips to PROVIDE the best story content to external storytellers - Work effectively with consultants, copywriters, and designers to ensure your narrative is as compelling as your favourite movie

Diane H. Leonard
DH Leonard Consulting

From Objectives to "YES!": Aligning Your Grant Story with a Powerful "Red Thread"

In this session, you'll explore how to create a persuasive grant application by incorporating a “Red Thread” - a central narrative concept developed by Tamsen Webster that connects every element of your grant proposal. Building on Tamsen’s ideas, Diane Leonard will show you how to weave this cohesive storyline throughout your application in a way that engages reviewers and motivates them to champion your funding.

Diane will show you how to seamlessly integrate SMART objectives (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) into your narrative, ensuring each component strengthens your overall story. By the session's end, you'll have practical strategies to align every part of your application into a cohesive, compelling story that inspires grant reviewers to award you funding.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to craft a unified "Red Thread" throughout your grant application that compels reviewers to advocate for your funding
• Techniques for incorporating compelling SMART objectives that strengthen your narrative and demonstrate clear impact
• Strategies to ensure alignment between your story and objectives, creating a cohesive application that builds a convincing case for support

Kiersten Hill
Firespring

Crafting Resilient Narratives for Nonprofits in Times of Change

In a world marked by profound societal shifts, nonprofits face unprecedented challenges in engaging donors and fulfilling their missions. Join Firespring’s Kiersten Hill as she explores essential storytelling frameworks tailored for nonprofit impact. Discover practical tools to refine compelling narratives and harness social media for community building and advocacy. This session equips you to navigate uncertainty with ethical storytelling that resonates and inspires action.

What You’ll Learn:

• Understand effective storytelling frameworks applicable to nonprofit contexts.
• Implement tools to enhance and refine nonprofit narratives.
• Utilize social media storytelling tools to foster community engagement and drive meaningful action.

Kristin Sukraw
StoryFind

Discover the Story, Inspire the Gift: Mastering the Art of the Discovery Interview

Every great fundraising campaign begins with a powerful story — but finding that story requires thoughtful intentionality. In this dynamic and practical workshop, author, psychotherapist and storytelling strategist Kristin Sukraw takes you inside the StoryFind Process, her signature approach to uncovering authentic, emotionally resonant narratives that fuel donor connection and support.

Whether you're speaking with a beneficiary, staff member, volunteer, or donor, this session will equip you with tools to transform routine conversations into transformative story moments. Kristin will conduct a Discovery Interview in real-time, demonstrating the techniques you will learn in action. You will walk away from this fun, interactive workshop with a framework for story discovery that will feel less like a task, and more like the best part of your job!

What You’ll Learn:

• How to IDENTIFY and PREPARE your storytellers - Craft a strategic list of potential storytellers who are ready to share and create safe, open spaces that foster trust and vulnerability
• Techniques to ASK powerful questions that reveal meaningful insights - Master interview approaches that go beyond soundbites to uncover authentic, emotionally resonant narratives
• A practical FRAMEWORK for transforming conversations into stories - Apply the StoryFind Process to make story discovery an engaging and natural part of your fundraising work