2025 Schedule at a Glance
Opening Plenary
8:45-9:45 am
Ask Less, Raise More
Jeff Hall and Lisa Actor
Universe Theatre
Jeff Hall and Lisa Actor developed the principles of Servant Fundraising, their donor centric approach to fund development, while seeking support for Lowell Observatory from 2015 through 2024. They credit putting donors’ needs first with raising over $100 million for science research, education, and capital projects, including $54 million for the Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center. In this keynote, they will explore how to bring these principles to your philanthropic efforts, bringing meaning and joy to your donors’ giving.
Morning Breakout A
10:00-11:00 am
The Do-Gooder’s Attitude: Cultivating a Mindset for Fundraising Results
Laura Alexander, CFRE; Jenny Carrillo, CFRE; Lana Baldwin, CFRE; Lisa Robinson, CFRE, Alexander Carrillo Consulting
Universe Theatre
Do you have the “Do Gooder’s Attitude”?
To succeed in fundraising, mindset matters. The most effective fundraisers—what we call “Do-Gooders”—are mission-driven, optimistic, and confident in their ability to solve problems. It might sound cliché, but after decades of working with development professionals, we’ve seen it firsthand: attitude is everything. In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore the emotional highs and lows of fundraising and how to keep your energy positive, your cynicism in check, and your motivation strong. We’ll break down the elements of a resilient mindset—and how to build one. No platitudes, we promise.
With ❤️ and 🙏🏽: Crafting Marketing Emails That Feel Like Personal Notes
Frank Velásquez Jr., 4 Da Hood
Great Planetary Hall
Transform your email marketing game as Frank Velásquez Jr. shares proven strategies to craft messages that feel like personalized notes, resonating deeply with subscribers. Learn how to maintain a genuine voice, master the art of creating subject lines that demand attention, and build a truly engaged community of subscribers. Drawing from his success at 4 Da Hood, where he achieves exceptional open rates using his authentic voice, Frank will demonstrate how to make every subscriber feel personally seen and valued. This session will equip you with practical techniques to turn your marketing emails into meaningful conversations that foster genuine connections.
How to Get Grants!
Annagreta Jacobson, GPC, GoalBusters Consulting
Classroom
Have you ever been told, "There is so much grant funding out there, why aren't we asking for it?" Are you mystified by the grants process? Have you tried for a grant and become overwhelmed by the application process? This session will provide you with an understanding of how to determine if your organization is "grant ready" and what to expect out of the process to successfully secure grant funding.
Break
11:00-11:15am
Morning Breakout B
11:15am-12:15pm
Philanthropy Evolving: Are We Keeping Up and What is Our Role in the Shifts?
Monica Nuvamsa, Nuvamsa Designs, Moderator
Universe Theatre
The landscape of philanthropic giving has shifted drastically since the housing and tech bubbles of the past decade. The Covid 19 Pandemic also changed the landscape of grantmaking even further as funders seek collective impact grantmaking strategies and also seek more of the same from their grantseeking communities. In the new landscape of impact-driven grantmaking, how can nonprofits make their case for capacity building funds? Is operating support taking on new language framework or is it just a trend?
Values Over Valuables: Turning Transactions Into Transformational Donor Relationships
T. Clay Buck, CFRE, Next River Fundraising
Rooftop Planetarium
We all know it’s more cost-effective to keep a donor than to find a new one — yet retention rates keep falling. Why? Because too many fundraising strategies focus on the gift, not the giver. In this session, we’ll explore how centering donor values (not just their valuables) leads to stronger relationships, deeper engagement, and greater long-term support. Using real data, behavioral science, and a healthy dose of fundraising philosophy, we’ll examine what makes people stay connected—and what pushes them away.
Together, we’ll rethink stewardship, cultivation, and even the ask itself through the lens of identity, alignment, and emotional resonance. You’ll leave with practical ways to turn retention into a strategy (not just a statistic) and build donor journeys that feel less like transactions—and more like transformations.
Lunch Buffet and Keynote
12:30-1:30pm
TBD
Afternoon Power Sessions
1:45-2:15pm
10 Strategies to Engage Your Board in Fundraising
Lisa Robinson, CFRE, Alexander Carrillo Consulting
Universe Theatre
Your board can be your best fundraising asset—if you give them the tools, confidence, and clarity to succeed. In this fast-paced session, we’ll explore 10 practical strategies to increase board engagement in fundraising, tailored to fit the diverse strengths and comfort levels of your board members. Whether you're working with a seasoned group or building a culture of philanthropy from the ground up, you’ll leave with actionable ideas you can implement right away to spark involvement and boost results.
10 Ways You’re Screwing Up Your Direct Mail
Laura Amerman, CFRE
Great Planetary Hall
Topic TBD
Emily Reed, CFRE, CNP, University of Oklahoma
Classroom
Afternoon Breakout Sessions
2:30-3:30pm
Topic TBD
Richard Tollefson, Phoenix Philanthropy Group
Universe Theatre
Turnaround in Times of Crisis: How to Seek Help When You Need a Lot of It
Jennifer Tersigni, CFRE, Raise the Bar Consulting
Classroom
Topic TBD
Jim Anderson, CFRE, GoalBusters Consulting
Rooftop Planetarium
Break
3:30-3:45pm
Closing Keynote
3:35-4:45pm
Embracing the Messy Middle: A Virtual Poolside Chat
Chip Conley, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of MEA (formerly Modern Elder Academy)
Alice Ferris, CFRE, ACFRE, Faciliator, GoalBusters Consulting
Great Planetary Hall
Closing Reception and Dusk Program
4:45-6:30pm
Rooftop Planetarium
2022 CFRE Tracker and Conference Program
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