2025 Nonprofit Fundraising Conference: Request for Proposals

Submit a session proposal for MCN's 2025 Nonprofit Fundraising Conference

The eighth annual Nonprofit Fundraising Conference is back Wednesday, July 23.

Join us as a presenter by sharing your knowledge and experience as a nonprofit fundraiser, communicator, researcher, or grantmaker.

Proposal deadline is Thursday, March 27, 11:59 p.m. CST.

Session topics we’re interested in:

  • Scenario planning for volatility in federal and state funding.
  • Starting, growing, and nurturing individual donor programs.
  • Strategies and policies for sustained self-care and fundraiser retention.
  • Addressing challenges to race-conscious grantmaking. 
  • Ending relationships with funders who no longer align with your organization’s values.
  • Using grassroots fundraising as a way to organize and mobilize.
  • Developing compelling and flexible case statements that reach funders, legislators, and more.
  • Back to the basics: cultivation, stewardship, and good storytelling.
  • Practical and ethical uses of AI in fundraising.
  • Connecting research and trends in giving and grantmaking to the present and future work of nonprofit fundraisers.
  • Reimagining development events.

Submit a proposal:

Proposals can be submitted through the online proposal form and take 20 – 30 minutes to complete.

Preview the form questions.

You do not need to have a fully formed presentation to submit a proposal; you should share an idea that you will shape into a presentation.

The deadline to submit a proposal to present at the conference is Thursday, March 27, 11:59 p.m. CST. 


Wednesday, July 23 | 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
McNamara Alumni Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

At this full day, in-person gathering, learn from your fundraising and philanthropy peers about emerging trends and proven strategies across 20+ breakout sessions and keynote. Attendees include over 300 fundraising and philanthropy leaders from across Minnesota.

Save the date – registration opens this spring.


RFP Frequently Asked Questions

Who can submit a session proposal?

Anyone! MCN is seeking dynamic presenters like YOU, who are inquisitive and bring nuanced, clear, and equitable approaches to fundraising and development within the nonprofit sector.

Session proposals take 20 to 30 minutes to complete through the online form and are due by Thursday, March 27 by 11:59 p.m. CST. 

What types of sessions will be selected?

MCN is seeking dynamic presenters who are inquisitive and bring nuanced, clear, and equitable approaches to fundraising within the nonprofit sector. Proposals that encourage both strategic visioning as well as practical, skills-based learning are desired. 

This year, we are particularly interested in sessions that bring the following content areas to life: 

  • Scenario planning for volatility in federal and state funding.
  • Starting, growing, and nurturing individual donor programs.
  • Strategies and policies for sustained self-care and fundraiser retention.
  • Addressing challenges to race-conscious grantmaking.
  • Ending relationships with funders who no longer align with your organization’s values.
  • Using grassroots fundraising as a way to organize and mobilize.
  • Developing compelling and flexible case statements that reach funders, legislators, and more.
  • Back to the basics: cultivation, stewardship, and good storytelling.
  • Practical and ethical uses of AI in fundraising.
  • Connecting research and trends in giving and grantmaking to the present and future work of nonprofit fundraisers.
  • Reimagining development events.
Who will be selected as a presenter?

Session presenters must demonstrate a depth of knowledge on the proposed session topic. Sessions and presenters should reflect the racial, economic, cultural, age, and geographic diversity in the state of Minnesota.

Sessions that include nonprofit presenters will be given priority. Proposals from our allies in for-profit companies are welcome; however, please note that preference will be given to sessions that demonstrate active involvement of nonprofit professionals and sector researchers and members from the communities they engage as session presenters or co-presenters.

Consultants and/or for-profit businesses with an overriding interest in selling their products and services, as opposed to contributing to a learning community will not be invited to present.  

How are presenters compensated?

Presenters receive a stipend of $75, with a limit of $225 per session (for multiple presenters). 

This modest stipend is in addition to complimentary admission to the conference for presenters. Travel and lodging for presenters is not covered.

Is there a preferred session format?

To ensure the highest quality sessions for the conference, the planning committee will place priority on session proposals that emphasize participant engagement, interaction, and are accessible.

Recommended session formats incorporate:

  • Participant engagement in dialogue, discussion, and idea-generation throughout the session. 
  • Time for attendees to connect with one another.
  • Specific takeaways that attendees can implement in their work.
  • No more than three presenters (including a moderator).
  • PowerPoint slides filled with words should be kept to a minimum. Consider using pictures and stories to convey your message. 
Who attends this conference?

Attendees will include 400+ nonprofit, public sector, and philanthropy leaders including staff, board members, and volunteers. Past conference attendees included:

  • Fundraising staff
  • Executive Directors
  • Staff who collaborate with fundraising (e.g., communications, data, evaluation, finance)
  • Volunteers and jobseekers
  • Board members
How do I submit a session proposal?

Session proposals take 20 to 30 minutes to complete through the online form.

Preview the form questions.

You do not need a fully formed presentation to submit; you are sharing an idea that you’ll shape into a presentation. However, you should be clear about the learning objectives you are centering and what experience-level you expect your audience to have. 

The session deadline is Thursday, March 27 by 11:59 p.m. CST. 


If you have questions about submitting a proposal for the 2025 Nonprofit Fundraising Conference, please contact Courtney Gerber, MCN program director, at 651-757-3087 or cgerber@minnesotanonprofits.org. Thank you!