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.
Data-Driven Do-Gooders: Unleash Your Nonprofit's Superpowers with Data
Achieve fundraising success with data-driven decision making! Join Maggie Dubyk and Meena Das for expert insights on using data to set and measure achievable goals, understand donor behavior, and more. Get real-life examples of how nonprofits have used data to succeed and level up your nonprofit game!
Learning from the Present to Prepare for the Future of Volunteer Engagement
The modern volunteer is changing. Are you ready to change with them? Join us to explore the past, present and future of volunteer engagement in an interactive session packed with tips for meaningful community engagement and tools to advocate for successful volunteer participation.
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.
Measuring Major Gifts Success: The Top 10 Metrics That Matter
Are you struggling to determine what metrics are best for your major gifts program? Is everyone on the same page about which benchmarks you’re using and why? Attend this fast-paced session for a rousing, interactive discussion (and debate!) about effective metrics application and how to measure success at your organization.
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.
Development and Communications Teams Working Together: How to Get Along and Get On With It
This session courageously explores this age-old friction, including research results on what Fundraising and Communications teams face in trying to working together collaboratively. We present common tensions and creative solutions on how teams can build stronger collaborative processes and relationships -- without sacrificing each of their important missions.
What Not to Say to Your Donors, Eh? (And What to Say Instead)
Why give you money? Why you and not someone else? One thing: words. Without knowing it a reader thinks... "Wow, they really get me. Sign me up for some of that!" Come strike a memorable chord in a noisy world. Your donors long for it. Your bottom line demands it.
AI in Fundraising: Enhancing Efficiency and Impact while Ensuring Accountability
In this interactive session we'll explore how to ethically incorporate AI into your fundraising workflow while ensuring accountability. Learn about potential risks and challenges associated with AI integration in fundraising and best practices to manage them. Join us to discover how AI can help enhance your fundraising productivity.
Thinking Big Around Legacy Giving for Growth & Long-term Connection
Legacy marketing is about a values connection and understanding donor needs/motivations. This session will provide new insights into how to make these valuable connections, what is working to inspire people to take action and how you can harness the power of legacy to grow your programs and deepen relationships.
Turn data into dollars: How insights and technology together can deliver major giving wins for fundraisers (Presented by Bonterra)
When it comes to major giving, you need a way to do more with less and we have a solution. Bonterra and Altrata will take you through best practices for leveraging data and technology to make a bigger impact. Improve campaign engagement. Never miss an opportunity. Make the most of every conversation.
Continuing the Conversation on being an Equitable, Inclusive, Diverse Leader
To take on the biggest problems, all need to lead in an inclusive, diverse and equitable manner. This session will focus on the leadership skills you need for personal and professional success. These diverse leaders on the panel live their lives with IDEA everyday. Learn how you can as well!
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.
Not ANOTHER AI session!? The Unexpected Applications of AI (Presented by Fundraise Up)
Explore AI-driven strategies to enhance nonprofit campaigns and donor engagement without sacrificing the personal touch. Learn from real-world examples how AI can amplify fundraising efforts and nurture long-term donor relationships. Gain actionable insights into integrating AI into your development strategy, boosting your team's efficiency, and focusing on impactful work. This session is for both AI skeptics and enthusiasts, aiming to demystify AI's role in aligning with organizational values and missions, moving past the hype to unlock AI's potential in nonprofit fundraising.
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.
Fundraising Reimagined: 5 Innovative Tools to Skyrocket Donor Acquisition (Learning Lab) Presented by Bloomerang
Discover the power of 5 cutting-edge tools that are transforming the landscape of donor acquisition and fundraising. Learn how to use AI and new payment methods to target the right donors and boost your donation conversion. Leverage peer-to-peer and integrated volunteer management to grow your network and nurture your biggest supporters. Join us to elevate your 2024 fundraising game with the latest innovations
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.
Moving Up or Moving Out: A Donor-Centric Approach to Portfolio Management and Handoffs - (Learning Lab) Presented by Gravyty
In a recent survey of over 160 fundraising leaders, internal handoff and portfolio procedures was one of the top five challenges teams currently face. Not establishing clear internal processes for portfolio management lead to major misses for growing key donor relationships. In this session, two seasoned fundraising experts cover the state of portfolio management and lay out best practices for internal handoffs, relationship continuity and white-glove donor engagement.
Big Donors Love Big Ideas: Vision & Innovation Leading to Major Gifts
Since big donors love big ideas, nonprofits need to cast vision and innovate to devise the major opportunities that captivate major gift donors. An easy-to-use framework for identifying a compelling vision, a six-step innovation process, and a paper clip will strengthen your ability to craft big ideas for big donors.
Hidden Gold: How Monthly Giving will build donor loyalty and improve donor retention
Join Harvey McKinnon, author of three books on monthly giving and one of North America's leading experts on the subject, and Jas Jhooty, who led one of the largest monthly giving programs in Canada and learn how to create lifelong donors through recurring giving
Boost your next capital or comprehensive campaign by strategically branding that initiative. In this session, you will learn why branding a campaign is important, how it can enhance your organization's visibility and reputation, and what the four key milestones of campaign branding are and how to reach them.
Using the Power of Connections and Influence in Global Corporate Fundraising
Social initiatives are increasing within corporations due to the ESG agenda. Learn how to define the best strategies of relationship building and maintenance to connect your cause with businesses and make your nonprofit part of the impact companies want to generate. Corporate fundraising is waiting for you!
Becoming a Changemaker: How Fundraisers are Positioned for Advancing Equity
Fundraisers are changemakers. We identify issues, make connections, generate support, and solve problems. These attributes make fundraisers well-positioned for leadership roles helping advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in our organizations at any level. This session will share personal stories, identify skills and provide resources for your IDEA success.
Empowering Change: Engaging Black Communities and Donors in Fundraising
In today's dynamic philanthropic landscape, the importance of engaging and empowering Black, Indigenous and people of color ( BIPOC) communities and donors cannot be overstated. Many nonprofit organizations have faced challenges in actively engaging Black donors in the United States for various reasons — historical context, lack of diverse representation, limited awareness and outreach, and cultural sensitivity, to name a few. Habitat has recognized these challenges and is actively working to address them.
In this session, you will gain insight into housing disparities affecting Black communities, discover innovative philanthropic strategies, and leverage cultural competency to amplify Black voices. Join us as we delve into the important and timely topic of engaging Black donors in fundraising at HFHI, which can empower Black donors as agents of change and create a more equitable future for all.
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.
Trust, Impact, and Communications to Overcome Donor Skepticism and Increase Fundraising Results
This session will help participants demonstrate trustworthiness and program results and provide accountable communications to support fundraising efforts by presenting seven steps to assure ethics are meaningful, eight disciplines to ensure programs achieve good results, and a communications strategy that highlights responsibility and accountability, thereby increasing funding and program impact.
Eligible for 1.25 ACFRE credits in Ethics, Accountability and Professionalism
How We're Transforming Our AFP Chapter Through a Commitment to IDEA
AFP Silicon Valley Board Members will share how they're transforming CA Chapters with the innovative IDEA Fellowship for diverse fundraisers. Learn about launching the program with provided tools and templates after a group discussion and interactive brainstorm about your Chapters commitment to IDEA.
Unlocking Donor Potential: Transforming Volunteers into Cause Champions through Relationship-Driven Fundraising (Presented by Fundraising Academy)
Volunteers are essential in every organization. They know your cause and support your organization throughout the year. They are your greatest advocates and possess linkage, ability, and interest in filling resource gaps. The question now is: Does your organization have a strategic plan to elevate volunteer commitment into meaningful financial contributions? Volunteers represent untapped potential as major gift prospects. If your major gift prospect pool currently overlooks this hidden treasure within your volunteer base, this session is for you. Join us to explore converting loyal volunteers into enthusiastic donors, unlocking a new dimension of support for your cause.
Building a Sustainable Fundraising Plan: A Research-backed Guide to Healthy Fundraising (Presented by Qgiv)
With rising costs, the Great Resignation, and donor numbers declining, nonprofit leaders face increased pressure to keep their teams motivated to raise more money with even fewer resources. What can be done to address these challenges? Qgiv’s Sustainable Giving Report sought to answer that question! Join us to learn how you promote wellness and job satisfaction within your organization and ultimately improve staff retention, donor relations, and revenue.
Becoming an AFP volunteer leader is an important and decisive step in your fundraising career. And it is much more than just your time, your energy, and your ideas. Join us as we share our leadership journey and (hopefully) inspire you on yours.
Emerging Trends in Fundraising Research (Sponsored by AFP Foundation for Philanthropy)
Join the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy for an engaging panel discussion with fundraising scholars from around the country. Learn about their cutting edge research - both recently published and in process - and consider how it can be applied to improve your fundraising.
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.
Let’s create a board that’s fired-up, enthusiastic and ready to work. Discover how to change your board’s culture, build an internal culture of philanthropy, and create new involvement and commitment. You’ll learn 10 ways to Liven Up Your Board Meetings, and the Tough Questions to discuss with your board.
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.
Navigating Donor Expectations In a Smartphone World (Learning Lab) Presented by Fundraise Up
Showcasing Fundraise Up's robust mobile-centric features and user interface, designed to meet and exceed the expectations of modern donors. We'll highlight functionalities that ensure your nonprofit is equipped to provide a seamless and intuitive giving experience on any mobile device. Expect to learn about: - Mobile-optimized donation forms that increase conversion rates - One-click donations via Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other mobile wallets - Personalized mobile outreach strategies to engage new donor demographics - Real-time analytics and how they can inform your mobile fundraising strategy.
We will also discuss emerging demographics that are more likely to contribute when approached with mobile-friendly giving options. By understanding these groups and their preferences, your organization can tap into new sources of support and foster lasting donor relationships.
Tech for Impact: A Look at 2024 Nonprofit Trends (Learning Lab) Presented by Sage
As Managing Director for Sage in North America, Mark Hickman empowers U.S. and Canadian businesses by simplifying workflows to break down barriers and achieve growth. With more than 20 years of experience at the executive management and leadership-levels, where he consistently grew revenues at leading organizations, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge essential to successfully navigate the channel, partner, and SMB landscapes in North America. As a leader, Mark looks to empower colleagues, partners, and customers to seek out solutions through creativity and innovation.
AFPeeps Game Show: AI Edition (Learning Lab) Presented by AFPeeps
This is more than just a workshop; it's an adventure into the realm of artificial intelligence, packed with learning, laughter, and the spirit of competition. Prepare to challenge your mind, unleash your creativity, and deepen your understanding of artificial intelligence in the most entertaining way possible. Whether you're an AI enthusiast, a professional looking to sharpen your skills, or simply curious about the world of technology, this game show-style workshop promises to be an unforgettable experience.