Fundraising Conference – Breakout Sessions

Capital Campaigns: Where Finance Meets People
Room: Ski-U-Mah Room | Track: Relationship Building

Learn how to design and implement a capital campaign that balances financial goals with stakeholder engagement and organizational values. You’ll gain an in-depth look at the importance of campaign storytelling, practical strategies for engaging diverse stakeholders, common challenges, out-of-the-box solutions.

Presented by: Mary Niedermeyer, Chief Executive Officer and David Monterrosa, Director of Finance and Operations, CAPI USA; Wale Falade, Locus Architecture 

The Case for Ethical AI Use in Nonprofits
Room: Johnson Great Room | Track: Research & Trends

Discover not only potential AI applications like enhanced donor engagement, automated routine tasks, and improved decision-making, but also the critical ethical considerations, such as data privacy, bias mitigation, and responsible AI governance. You’ll gain insights into best AI practices while ensuring alignment with your mission-driven values.

Presented by: Lou Bialon-Crane, Manager and Jamie Van Nostrand, Director, RSM US 

The Donor Journey: Targeted Communications for Fundraising Success
Room: Heritage Gallery | Track: Relationship Building

Donors, like consumers, engage at their own pace.  Discover the “Donor Journey,” a structured communication and cultivation model that aligns donor engagement with marketing best practices. By tailoring messaging to a donor’s familiarity with your organization, you can build trust and move donors from awareness to deep investment.

Presented by: Gena Johnson, Vice President of Development, Rein in Sarcoma 

The Fundraiser’s Secret Tool: Non-Development Staff
Room: Thomas Swain Room | Track: Relationship Building

Every staff member plays a role in donor cultivation. Let’s reimagine the donor journey by mapping how staff touchpoints influence donor trust and engagement, identify gaps and opportunities in your current donor experience, and learn how to equip non-fundraising staff with simple ways to authentically engage supporters (without feeling like fundraisers).

Presented by: Heidi Louise, Annual Fund Manager, Dodge Nature Center and Preschool 

Partnership as Resistance: Strengthening Nonprofits Through Collaboration
Room: Minnesota Room | Track: Philanthropic Reform and Disruption

Let’s explore innovative strategic partnerships that disrupt the status quo, move us forward in solidarity, and ensure vital programs and services continue. Through interactive activities and discussion, gain an understanding of collaborative opportunities including mutual fundraising events, joint service ventures, and shared leadership models such as subsidiaries.

Presented by: Kimberly Peterson, Director of Development, Rebuilding Together Minnesota

Cut Through the Noise: Meaningful Messaging Amidst Uncertainty
Room: Ski-U-Mah Room | Track: Relationship Building

Explore emerging trends and proven strategies for engaging donors through impactful storytelling. Going beyond presentation to applied practice, you’ll craft a compelling case for support that weathers uncertainty and cuts through the noise, and leave understanding how to use your fundraising to connect with audiences during times to change and volatility.

Presented by: Jenna Ray, Executive Director, and Maddie Korva, Director, Marketing & Communications, GiveMN 

How All Board Members Can Amplify Resource Development Impact
Room: Heritage Gallery | Track: Relationship Building

Rethink and re-conceptualize board fundraising so simple asks feel realistic, possible, and rewarding. You’ll cover board member annual gifts, amplifying board social media involvement, and realistic ways boards can help with grant seeking.

Presented by: Steve Boland, Director, NEXT in Nonprofits

Real Talk: A Candid Conversation for White Managers
Room: Minnesota Room | Track: Philanthropic Reform and Disruption

This panel will reflect on the highs, lows, and lessons learned as a white manager and BIPOC fundraiser. From embarrassing faux pas to career-changing breakthroughs, they’ll share their experiences to help you build strategies for strengthening your allyship and better understand the important role you play in building a more resilient, fulfilling sector. 

Presented by: Courtney Backen, President, Association of Fundraising Professionals – Minnesota; Adam Breininger, Director of Development and Communications, Minnesota Land Trust 

Talking Place, Legacy, and Generosity: Fundraiser’s Toolkit
Room: Thomas Swain Room | Track: Research and Trends

Discover a toolkit created by community foundations to better understand Minnesota’s historic transfer of wealth. You’ll practice using messaging and engagement tools from the toolkit to discover how you can capitalize on this moment to benefit your fundraising.

Presented by: Dominic Papatola, Chief Impact Officer, CommunityGiving; Katy Sullivan, Consultant and Allan Martinez Venegas, Consultant, AmplifyDMC 

Giving Beyond Fear: Building Individual Philanthropy That Reflects Your Values and Powers Your Mission

Room: University Hall | Track: Relationship Building

What if your individual giving program didn’t just bring in money — but helped build the future your mission imagines? This session reimagines individual fundraising as an act of relationship-building and power-sharing. Anchored in a values-forward approach to donor engagement, we’ll explore concrete tools to grow and sustain support from individuals — not just as donors, but as partners in solidarity. From tapping donor-advised funds and employer match opportunities to inclusive messaging strategies and donor segmentation that prioritizes equity, we’ll dig into what it takes to build a resilient revenue stream rooted in trust. Attendees will leave with fresh tactics, messaging strategies, and a renewed sense of purpose in their fundraising practice.

Presented by: Aileen Rosa Sánchez, Chief Development Officer, The Funders Network

Write Smarter, Not Harder: Winning Grants with AI
Room: Johnson Great Room | Track: Grant Prospecting and Writing

Go beyond buzz to explore the real impact of AI on grantwriting: what’s working, what’s not, and how to strike the right balance. We’ll debunk AI myths, highlight best practices, cover writing strategies to improve generated content, and show you how you to use AI responsibly and authentically to write stronger grants, faster and maintain funder trust.

Presented by: Katie Castillo, Instrumentl; Danette Fettig Halloran, Corporate and Foundations Relations Manager, Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery 

Crafting a Compelling Story: Connecting People and Impact
Room: Thomas Swain Room | Track: Relationship Building

Learn about elements of compelling stories and ways to identify, collect, and share them. You’ll learn tips on telling a good story with passion and authenticity and avoiding exploiting someone’s trauma. The session covers storytelling trends, training exercises for training staff and board members, and examples from the speakers’ experiences. 

Presented by: Mary Jones, Chief Advancement Officer, TPT; Gretchen Piper; Kristen Spargo 

Demystifying Endowments
Room: Johnson Great Room | Track: Grantmaking

Endowments are more accessible than you may think. This session demystifies endowments, offering a clear understanding of what they are, how they work, and how small- to mid-sized nonprofits can successfully create and grow endowed funds. You’ll also discuss partnering with a local community foundation to overcome common barriers.

Presented by: Tod Herskovitz, Nonprofit Strategies Manager, St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation; Heather Logelin, President/CEO, St. Croix Valley Foundation

Planning a ‘Friendraiser’: Why Overthinking is Your Enemy
Room: Heritage Gallery | Track: Relationship Building

Are you looking for a low-investment fundraiser? Learn from this case study on how this nonprofit planned and executed a ‘friendraiser’ that is light on budget but big on impact. You’ll leave ready to explore outside-the-box ideas for your next donor event.

Presented by: Kaylie Burns Gahagan, Director of Advancement, Genessis Lopez, Advancement Coordinator, and Andrew Kochen, Communications Specialist, Missions Inc. Programs 

Unlocking the 20%: Essential Strategies for Digital Fundraising
Room: Ski-U-Mah Room | Track: Relationship Building

Feel empowered to enhance your online presence and fundraising capabilities without overwhelming your team or budget. You’ll learn to identify and focus on high-impact digital fundraising strategies, discover practical ways to incorporate AI, and gain actionable tactics and tools to improve your donor engagement, increase online giving, and build lasting relationships. This workshop is designed for small to mid-sized nonprofits.

Presented by: Rich Dietz, Founder, Nonprofit R+D ; Jennifer Bratulich, Director of Development & Partnerships, AmazeWorks

Advocacy Across the Aisle: Legislative Case Statements that Grab Bipartisan Attention
Room: University Hall | Track: Relationship Building

Whether your goal is policy change or landing a state appropriation, it’s tough to grab and hold a lawmaker’s attention, and even harder to engage bipartisan support. Learn tips and tricks for developing case statements for bipartisan legislative audiences that are authentic to your mission, and learn how to deploy your case statement effectively.

Presented by: Andy Eilers, Associate Lobbyist, Christopherson Advocates, LLC; Martha Grave, Director of Institutional Giving and Government Affairs, Neighborhood Development Center; Julian Loscalzo, Lobbyist, JEL Consulting

Amplifying Impact: Lessons from a Multi-Nonprofit Fundraising Initiative
Room: Johnson Great Room | Track: Philanthropic Reform and Disruption

Discover the insights, challenges and successes of working in a multi-nonprofit project to raise funds collectively. You’ll learn their process for identifying a shared initiative, creating a framework for shared fundraising, dividing the proceeds, and engaging donors. Get inspired to consider what partnerships might amplify you fundraising and grow your donors.

Presented by: John Briel, Member Relations Manager, Friends of the Mississippi; Jennifer Foth, Director of Development, Metro Blooms; Jenna Ray, Executive Director, GiveMN

Piloting a Donor Organizing Capacity Building Program
Room: Ski-U-Mah Room | Track: Relationship Building

Gain an in-depth perspective on donor organizing and practical strategies to support relational fundraising within your base. You’ll learn from this nonprofit’s experience launching a grassroots fundraising program with donors, board members, staff, and community members, how it was structured and staffed, and reflections for continued development.

Presented by: Malaika Eban, Executive Director and James Miller, Development and Communications Manager, Legal Rights Center; Ray Martinez, Founder and Principal Consultant, RM Methods 

Practical Systems for Prospecting Strategy and Fundraising Intelligence
Room: Heritage Gallery | Track: Grant Prospecting and Writing

Gain an introduction to the core competencies of prospect development—prospect research, relationship management, and data science—and the ways they support and enhance your fundraising work. A prospect management system can make your fundraising more sustainable, save us from burnout, and amplify our impact.

Presented by: Don Irwin, Senior Manager of Data and Research, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota

Unlocking Local Partnerships: Unique Opportunities to Collaborate and Fundraise with Businesses
Room: Thomas Swain Room | Track: Relationship Building

Explore unique opportunities to partner and fundraise with local businesses in ways that go beyond traditional sponsorships. You’ll gain insights into creative fundraising initiatives, employee engagement programs, cause-marketing campaigns, and how to align a business’ goals with your mission-driven work. 

Presented by: Stacey Jensen, Development Director, CornerHouse; Aaron Bedessem, Vice President of Marketing and Operations, Running Aces Casino, Hotel, and Racetrack; Eddie Coblentz, Director of Community Partnerships and Fan Services, Saint Paul Saints