We have a wide array of educational sessions waiting for you at AFP ICON 2024. Whether you want to master leadership, relationship building, securing the gift, trends and innovation, or all of the above, AFP has the latest and greatest information to unlock your fundraising potential.
Getting Help: Engaging Volunteers to Grow Your Gift Planning Program
The most effective path to supercharge your gift planning program is help from volunteers! In this session you will learn how to effectively harness the power of volunteer leadership in your gift planning program, as well as, practical strategies to maximize their impact on fundraising success.
Carlo Laurore, CFRE, CFP® CHFC® CLU® RICP® AEP® CAP®
Sun, Apr 7, 2024
9:00am - 10:15am
Room 714 A/B
Small Shops Big Success in Planned Giving
Planned giving is not just for the big organizations with lots of resources. It's for every organization with a compelling mission. You will be able identify planned giving prospects and obtain over 30 different donor conversation starters. Receive practical strategies for securing the planned gift and increase annual gifts too!
Driving Impact: How to Supercharge Your Golf Tournament’s Fundraising Power (Presented by Golf Status)
Golf's capacity for fundraising is unmatched. To maximize your tournament’s fundraising potential, it’s crucial to understand how to appeal to golfers’ and sponsors’ generosity. This session will outline best practices and proven strategies for pricing teams and sponsorships, filling your tournament’s field, incorporating contests and games, and other revenue-generating components.
How to Communicate your Cause using the 3 Vs of Communication
Communicating your organization’s story effectively is vital to meeting fundraising goals. Authentic communication can be challenging in person and in the virtual world. Be confident in your next Ask. Attendees will leave knowing how to communicate their cause using the 3Vs of communication.
From Capitol Hill to Nonprofits: how understanding public policy makes you a better fundraiser
What can you do to be prepared to elevate your organization’s work and mission with lawmakers? Learn how federal policy affects nonprofits and their donors. This session will give fundraisers an approachable, easy-to-understand summary of how upcoming policy changes will impact their fundraising.
Philanthropy is Black History: The Untold Stories of Black Philanthropists
Just as with American history, Black philanthropists have largely been forgotten throughout history.
Philanthropy is Black History: The Untold Stories of Black Philanthropists, this enlightening session explores the impact of Black donors, past and present, on society and inspires attendees to embrace a more inclusive approach to philanthropy.
Creating a Framework for Compassionate & Ethical Storying Telling
History has shown that stories are linked to what it means to be human. Organizations must institute a framework that gives the client a voice while protecting them from the unintended consequence of storytelling. Ethical & Compassionate storytelling should be a tool in each nonprofits tools box.
How to Become a Certified Fund Raising Executive (Learning Lab)
The CFRE Credential: Is it worth it? What are the benefits? Is the CFRE Exam difficult?
This interactive session to learn everything you ever wanted to know about the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential. We’ll answer your questions plus dive into the eligibility requirements, application tips, and all things related to the CFRE Exam.
Zero to Hero: Starting a Planned Giving Program (Learning Lab) Presented by Freewill
The historic shift of wealth from older to younger Americans has begun, with Baby Boomers poised to transfer up to $70 trillion in assets. Learn more about what The Great Wealth Transfer means for your nonprofit and get insights into key generational giving trends that you can use to cultivate more transformational gifts this year. You’ll also get a look at how 1,450+ nonprofits are using the FreeWill platform to grow non-cash gifts in support of their missions – and how you can too as you look to take advantage of The Great Wealth Transfer.
Matching the Ask to the Motivation (Presented by Blackbaud)
Giving feels good. When a donor’s own motivations, values, and needs are met and matched with an opportunity to give, that giving feels even better. In the session, you will meet donor models, and by working through the moves management process you’ll learn their motivations and learn how to shape approaches that will resonate with the donor’s personal vision and motivations.
Cognitive Impairment in Donors: Best Practices & Considerations
With 1 in 9 people aged 65+ years showing signs of cognitive impairment, encountering a donor with this issue is inevitable. We will teach the top signs of cognitive impairment, best practices to utilize in this situation, and pose questions about incorporating this in your culture, metrics, CRM, and stewardship.
Low–Code App Development: A First Step to Creating Your Own AI–Powered Tools (Presented by Blackbaud)
What's possible when you empower business users and admins to create software solutions using low-code development tools? Those closest to your operational challenges are armed with AI power and other transformational approaches. With free tools and low-code approaches to application, your team can develop custom solutions to solve operational challenges, automate clumsy processes, drive efficiency, and fuel social impact. Want to take advantage of these capabilities? Come explore examples of how low-code approaches can be used to solve operational challenges and get valuable resources to help organizations of all sizes launch and govern their low-code programs. Whether you’re interested in creating your own apps or equipping your team, you’ll leave with actionable next steps to embrace this new frontier.
Don’t Close the Door on Your Donors: Intentional Inclusivity in Fundraising Events (Presented by OneCause)
One positive change that arose during the pandemic was the increased access to philanthropy for diverse donors through virtual events and engagement opportunities. But now that we’re spending less time at our screens, large and small, how can nonprofits ensure that access is maintained and that their fundraising strategies?
AFP Membership, What’s In It for Me? (Learning Lab) Presented by AFP Global
Description: Current and prospective AFP members will learn about key benefits of membership including professional development, local events, mentorship and volunteer opportunities, publications, leadership training, and more. Find out how you can maximize the value of your professional involvement while meeting your AFP peers!
Breaking the Silence: Confronting Anti-Black Racism in AFP
Join this session with the Co-Conspirators, a group of racial justice activists who supported Nneka Allen, Mide Akerewusi, and Múthoní Karíukí in their pursuit of racial justice. This session will provide an overview of the obstacles, risks, and learnings in the Co-Conspirators quest for accountability from the AFP-GTC chapter. The session will explore the group’s calls to action designed to catalyze institutional and systemic change.
In February 2023, this group of 16 individuals became co-conspirators through a commitment to their relationship with Nneka Allen and a desire to amplify and share the impact that Nneka, Mide, and Muthoni's experiences of anti-Black racism as board members at AFP-GTC had, and the subsequent failure to address those concerns. The Co-Conspirators united in a shared mission, to demand repair; acknowledgment, restitution and closure by the perpetrators of harm and AFP-GTC.
From the beginning of this journey, the mission was clear - to ensure that Nneka, Mide, and Muthoni's experiences with anti-Black racism as members of AFP were illuminated. For too long, the experiences of anti-Black racism in the fundraising sector have been minimized or actively suppressed. In order for the sector to change, the Co-Conspirators pushed these stories to the forefront, to force one of the most powerful voices in the sector to reconcile with its racist history. The focus was on the voices of Black fundraisers, lifting up their stories, to call for a genuine apology and change.
During this session, the Co-Conspirators will vulnerably share their personal experiences navigating this transformative movement. Gain insight into what they have learned in this struggle, hear the collective barriers they faced, and the individual challenges encountered while standing against injustice. Join us in unpacking this movement in the making from the perspective of these change-makers and discover how they are reshaping the narrative for a more equitable and just charitable sector.
Do More Good With Your Golf Fundraiser (Learning Lab) Presented by Golf Status
A golf event can be a hassle—but with the right tools, it doesn’t have to be! GolfStatus is the leading platform for charity golf tournaments and fundraisers. Hear how it makes organizing and executing a successful golf fundraiser easier than ever, with solutions that save time and raise more money.
Get to know your donors to increase engagement. Legal Aid and their LGBTQ+ audience
You need to know who your audiences are so that you can engage them. Learn how Legal Aid Society targets new donors to continue an important initiative defending the rights of LGBTQ+ people. We will show you how to target new donors and present content in a brisk fundraising pitch.
Demystifying Wellbeing: Taking the “Woo Woo” out of Individual and Organizational Wellbeing
This interactive session will focus on demystifying “wellbeing” by sharing research and practical examples of the how to prioritize individual and organizational wellbeing. The session will illuminate the importance of wellbeing as foundational element for leadership. The session will also highlight the important connection between wellbeing and inclusion.
Fundraisers, let's dominate the world! The fundraising profession is present in every continent of the world and in this session you will develop a global perspective of the profession, its ethics and career opportunities, with examples from Egypt, Brazil, Japan and other countries.
AI and Ethics: What We Know … and Don’t Know (Learning Lab) Presented by AFPeeps
AI offers exciting opportunities for charities and nonprofits, from automating administrative tasks to gaining insight from data. However, integrating AI requires navigating complex ethical considerations unique to the fundraising sector. This session will highlight the findings in the recent Rogare report, Artificial Intelligence and Fundraising Ethics: A Research Agenda, with Cherian Koshy, project chair, and Alice Ferris, a member of the project group.
Alice Ferris, ACFRE, CFRE, MBA, AFP Master Trainer
Mon, Apr 8, 2024
1:00pm - 1:30pm
Learning Lab 2
Are You Fit to Fundraise? Transform Your Donation Form for Greater Giving (Learning Lab) Presented by Donor Box
Are you looking to boost your fundraising efforts, bring in more donations, and better support your mission? The solution could be simpler than you think - transforming your online donation form! A well-designed form builds donor trust, improves the donor experience, and makes donating fast and easy, leading to increased gifts. In this interactive session, Donorbox experts will discuss the key elements of a successful donation form through a comprehensive “donation form fitness test.” You’ll leave with several actionable tips and the knowledge to get your form into shape, helping you raise more funds for your cause.
Everything You Need To Know About African American High Wealth Donors
Are you effectively engaging African American high wealth donors? The data available on major gift donors of color is limited as compared to other demographic groups, and especially for African Americans. But these donors are highly philanthropic and give more of their household income per capita - don't miss out!
How to Implement Strategies for Increasing Engagement and Philanthropy among Donors of Color
This presentation will allow participants to assess their organization’s diverse constituency landscape and establish a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) action plan to embed into their current fundraising initiatives. The session will introduce DEI strategies that align with their fundraising plans and priorities. Participants will work in small groups to assess their organization’s DEI goals, shortfalls, and opportunities; and will leave with the building blocks to create an action plan to improve the donor engagement and giving within their organization.
How to Create a Donor Newsletter That Raises Money
Donor newsletters can play a key role in your annual (and legacy!) fundraising strategies. Join Holly to learn how to plan and execute all the details of a newsletter appeal, how and when to integrate digital with print, what data to track, and get inspired by lots of real-life examples!
Gifts that Grow: AI-Enhanced Strategies for Expanding Major Contributions - (Learning Lab) Presented by Donor Search
Gifts that Grow: AI-Enhanced Strategies for Expanding Major Contributions" is a dynamic session for forward-thinking philanthropists, fundraisers, and nonprofit leaders seeking to elevate their major gift efforts. In this engaging session, participants will delve into the cutting-edge intersection of artificial intelligence and philanthropy, discovering how AI can predict potential major contributions and enhance the personalization and effectiveness of fundraising campaigns.
Raising Money Where You Don’t Live: Funding in Secondary Markets
Sometimes our organizations are so good at what they do, they decide to grow. And our network has too, also.
In our time together, we'll be breaking down that stigma that we’re an “outsider” in the community, orienting funders in a new area, and how to steward relationships over time.
Can small nonprofits raise major gifts? You bet! Let's break down the taboos surrounding money and explore cultivating a mindset of abundance. You'll leave with the confidence you need and the practical steps of how to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts.
Charting Success: Navigating the Dynamics of Fundraising with the Fundraising Effectiveness Project (Learning Lab)
Step into the strategic realm of the Fundraising Effectiveness Project (FEP) and explore its transformative influence on fundraising methodologies within nonprofit organizations. This session highlights FEP's critical role in refining fundraising practices by offering advanced tools for measuring and boosting annual growth in contributions. A joint initiative between the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy and GivingTuesday, FEP employs a comprehensive approach through its annual Fundraising Effectiveness Survey and the innovative Fundraising Fitness Test. Gain insights into how FEP's detailed analysis of data from a myriad of nonprofits and a multitude of donors informs organizations, steering them towards data-driven, growth-focused decisions. Engage with us to comprehend the imperative of weaving FEP's nuanced analyses and strategic recommendations into the fabric of your everyday fundraising activities. Attendees will also receive a print copy of the 2023 Q4 Report.
Share laughs as we unpack the ridiculous situations happening in sector. Sometimes we just have to laugh at ourselves in order to learn.
The root of each of these stories is a serious ethical question, a system or structure or person that allowed it to happen.
Because fundraising is funny.
Write and Wrong: Developing Million Dollar-plus Proposals
Proposal structure, wording and imagery could motivate some donors to give to your organization, and cause others to take their generosity elsewhere. We will discuss inspiring with emotion and justifying with logic, including the steps to take and the ones to avoid when your goal is securing a significant gift.
The Cockpit, Congress, and Charities: Stories from a Nonprofit CEO (Presented by CharityEngine)
From flying Navy jets to lobbying for the beer industry to serving as the CEO (and savior) of Help Heal Veterans, “Captain Joe” McClain has overcome challenges in many forms. In this presentation, he will share inspiring stories from the military, political, and nonprofit sectors. Through his personal anecdotes and practical insights, nonprofit executives will learn how to apply leadership principles, turn obstacles into opportunities, and foster a culture of resilience in their organizations.
Join CharityEngine’s Director of Client Success, Alexis Langley, CAE, as she chats with Joe about his unique career and lessons he’s learned.
The Keys to Donation Form Conversion: Design and Optimization (Presented by Blackbaud)
In this session, you'll learn how to design a donation form that converts visits into donations. We'll cover the 6 hallmarks of a high-converting nonprofit donation form and how you can modify your donation forms accordingly. We'll also define optimization and discuss strategies for making and testing small changes to your forms to best meet the needs of your donors. Finally, we'll share a case study where design and optimization had a real impact on conversions.
CANCELLED Unleashing Leadership Potential: Coaching for Nonprofit Success and Building Inclusive Teams
Unleash your leadership potential and build strong, diverse, and inclusive teams in your nonprofit organization. This interactive workshop using John Maxwell's leadership principles teaches effective communication, team-building strategies, and how to create a culture of success. Gain valuable insights and actionable steps to enhance your leadership skills.
AI and Innovations in Prospecting and Marketing with Sylogist MISSION CRM + Microsoft Cloud for Nonprofit (Learning Lab)
AI and Innovations in Prospecting and Marketing with Sylogist MISSION CRM + Microsoft Cloud for Nonprofit
See the latest AI tools and innovations from Microsoft and MISSION CRM to make fundraising and communications easier and more effective. We’ll explore how fundraisers can use this cutting-edge tech to segment, analyze, target and execute effective campaigns to attract new donors and unearth potential opportunities.
You Can Be More Than Remotely Successful Fundraising Remotely
While meeting prospects face-to-face is the preferred method, raising money while video-conferencing is becoming increasingly common. In this session, we will provide strategies for fundraisers stewarding donors and cultivating gifts without a single in-person meeting. You will learn best practices for successfully working remotely while developing deep connections with colleagues.
Interactive Listening Workshop: AI for Fundraisers (Presented by Microsoft)
Interested in AI for your nonprofit, but not sure where to start? Join our interactive workshop where you’ll discuss best practices for AI with your fellow fundraising practitioners and connect with technology providers who making a global impact in the AI space. In this hands-on session, you’ll also have the chance to share your thoughts on AI with teams that are building the technology, and leave with valuable connections and ideas you can implement in 2024.
Unlocking Impact: Exploring the Power of Impact Frameworks for Nonprofits (Learning Lab) Presented by UpMetrics
Unlock your nonprofit’s impact potential with our transformative session on crafting impact frameworks. Discover why impact frameworks are essential for operationalizing your impact, including measuring progress, driving continuous improvement, and showcasing outcomes to attract support from funders and donors. In essence, an Impact Framework is more than a tool; it's a blueprint for driving meaningful change, maximizing effectiveness, and instilling confidence in stakeholders. Learn to articulate your mission and objectives with clarity, and select the right metrics to measure progress towards goals. This session equips you with the skills and insights needed to measure, communicate, and amplify your nonprofit's impact.