Conference

2023 Conference Schedule

TimeFundamentalsStrategy & MessagingSpecial InterestsLeadershipDonors & Funding
      
8:00-9:00 amOpening Session Earl Bridges  
      
9:00-9:30 amCoffee Break 
      
9:30-10:30 am Session ONEMarci Bradley:
How to Succeed as a Small Shop Fundraising Team


Toby Creek (48)
Patton McDowell, Lea Williams, Donté Shannon: 4 Ways to Inspire and Elevate Your Nonprofit Board of Directors
49er Green (144)
Michelle Hamilton: Your Fundraising Program Needs a Check-Up!


49er Gold (144)
 Autumn Keck: The Grant Cycle: How to Elevate Your Grant Program Before You Hit Submit.

Mallard (98)
      
11:00-12:00 pm Session TWORobin Taylor: Make Your Database Work For You





Mallard (98)
Lori Avery, Rachel Sutherland:
Shining a Light on your Organization Creating a Public Awareness Campaign to Raise Funds and Awareness
49er Gold (144)
Steve Waiksnoris, Derek Alley: Capital Campaign Accerlerator: Igniting Your Path to Success



Reedy (36)
Elizabeth Freeze: Strengths-Based Leadership in Philanthropy




49er Green (144)
Lauren Williams: Launching a Major Donor Program





Toby Creek (48)
      
12:00-1:30 pmLynette Bell 
      
2:00 pm Session THREEClare Jordan, Allen Burrows: Solving Dismal Donor Retention with Superior Stewardship

49er Gold (144)
Eric Tomalis:
The Responsive Midset How to Build Resilient Teams and Drive Growth with Confidence Admist Uncertainty
Reedy
Barbara Coury: The Nonprofit Marketplace: High Trust, Low Understanding

Toby Creek (48)
Sarah Lanners Avinger, Stephanie Stenglein: You Won't Keep Your Donors if You Can't Keep Your Staff
49er Green (144)
Mariah Monique: Unleash Your Impact Through Corporate Sponsorships


Mallard (98)
      
3:00-3:30 pmCoffee Break/Grab-N-Go 
      
3:30 pm Session FOURChristine Casey:
From Overwhelmed to Organized: Ten Strategies to Create Your Ultimate Campaign Plan

49er Green (144)
Amy Fazio: More Than a Mission, it's a Movement: 3 Steps to Build a Wildly Engaged Community


49er Gold (144)
Markeeta Stokes: Prioritizing solitude: How to unplug, reset, and recharge it



Reedy (36)
Mendi Nieters, Stephen L. Smith: From Development Shop to Development Tribe: Building and Equipping a Team of Champions
Mallard (98)
Matt Garner: High Net Worth Philanthropy: A Unique Perspective on Your Biggest Donors


Toby Creek (48)

Keynote Speakers

Lynette Bell Headshot (1)

Lynette Bell is president of Truist Foundation, an organization committed to collaborating with innovative nonprofits and investing in communities to build better lives. In this role, she is responsible for leading philanthropic solutions focusing on small businesses and career pathways for historically underserved communities to help level the playing field, so all people are given equal opportunities to thrive. 

Previously, Bell served as enterprise community reinvestment act officer for SunTrust now Truist, leading the community development program to support underserved communities. In her more than 30-year career with SunTrust, she held positions in operations, regulatory affairs, bank examinations, and compliance. 

Bell currently serves on the board of directors of Purpose Built Communities and Living Cities Foundation as well as the President's Council for the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Manny Ohonme, chair of International Board of Directors at Sanford Health, called Bell a "difference maker" whose "commitment to make lasting change in our communities is truly inspiring." 

She received her bachelor's degree in Finance from Florida State University and certification as a compliance manager from the University of Georgia and the Georgia Bankers Association.
Earl Bridges

Earl Bridges is best known as the host of the EMMY Nominated PBS travel-documentary series, The Good Road, where he and co-host Craig Martin travel the globe highlighting stories of philanthropic individuals making a difference in the most difficult situations. With more than 25 million viewers nationwide, The Good Road continues to be the most-viewed television program focused on global philanthropy.

His 25-year career in nonprofit-focused technology, storytelling, and activism, Earl Bridges has served as the President and Chief Generosity Office of Uncommon Giving. Bridges was also the founder of Good Done Great, an industry pioneer in corporate grant management, employee giving, volunteer hour tracking and employee engagement programs for large and small businesses. Founded in  2009 and headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, Good Done Great served more than 60 companies and over 2 million employees before being sold to YourCause in 2017. YourCause was subsequently acquired by Blackbaud in 2019 for approximately $157 million.

Throughout his career, Bridges has been a visible voice about the role of technology as a means for making sustainable change for good, and for the role of profitable corporations to a provide a triple-bottom line to their stakeholders. Bridges received a master's degree in International Business Studies from the University of South Carolina after earning his bachelor's in accounting from USC.

When he is not on the road you can find him on the water, in the woods, or tending his bee hives, but if you see him out drinking in some bar somewhere, you can be sure that he is sharing a pint with other brave technologists, passionate philanthropists, compelling storytellers and other like-minded folks.

 

Pre-Conference

 

The AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising course is an introductory, 2-day course providing a comprehensive overview of fundraising principles at the fundamental level. The course content covers the roles and responsibilities of fundraisers, with emphasis on responsibilities you are likely to encounter at the beginning of your career.

The course is taught in an active learning style and includes case studies and projects for groups and individuals, making the learning experience both substantive and enjoyable.

The AFP CFRE Refresher Course uses case studies to provide a "refresher" of the six fundraising knowledge domains and the core principles and concepts that all experienced fundraising professionals should know.  While the course is designed as a refresher and not an in-depth review, this 2-day option allows extra time for discussion. 

The course is taught in an active learning style and includes mini case studies ("caselets") for group discussion, making the learning experience both substantive and enjoyable. 

Both courses will be August 23 -24 at the Harris Center at Johnson Glen. 

Register for Preconference courses here.

Pricing

 
AFP Member Pricing
  • Early Bird $175
  • Regular Rate $200
Non-Member Pricing
  • Early Bird Rate $175
  • Regular Rate $250
Pre Conference Pricing
  • AFP Member Fundamentals of Fundraising $390
  • Non-Member Fundamentals of Fundraising $490
  • AFP Member CFRE Refresher $390
  • Non-Member CFRE Refresher $490
 

Location

 
Our 2023 NC Philanthropy Conference will be held at the UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Charlotte, NC.

Conference Hotel
UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
9041 Robert D. Snyder Rd
Charlotte, NC 28262

Speakers

 
*Sessions and speakers subject to change. Additional speakers may be added at a later date. Speaker information is provided by the speaker.
Lori Avery

Lori Avery

Chief Development Officer, Pat's Place Child Advocacy Center


Session


"Shining a Light on your Organization Creating a Public Awareness Campaign to Raise Funds and Awareness"
While a public awareness campaign may seem daunting and overwhelming, with a strategic plan, clearly defined goals and objectives, a public awareness campaign can bring great publicity and financial support to non-profit organizations.

Education Track: Strategy & Messaging
Presentation Method: Interactive Presentation; Two Speakers

Sarah Lanners Avinger

Sarah Lanners Avinger, CFRE

Chief Philanthropy Officer, YWCA Central Carolinas


Session


"You Won't Keep Your Donors if You Can't Keep Your Staff"
In an environment where the average fundraiser's tenure is 18 months, this session will focus on how to combat that trend. Attendees will learn from two seasoned fundraising professionals with track records for developing and retaining healthy teams who worked together for many years. We will discuss tangible ways to make employees feel valued, create an inclusive work environment, and encourage employee growth. This session is appropriate for managers who want to create the best working environment for their staff and are actively seeking retention strategies or future managers that want to learn best practices.

Education Track: Leadership
Presentation Method: Two Speakers

Marci Bradley

Marci Bradley, MA, CFRE

Founder and CEO, Marci Bradley Consulting


Session


"How to Succeed as a Small Shop Fundraising Team"
Ready to take your small shop fundraising team to the next level? From fundraising strategy to donor engagement tips, our team will share their insights and real-world experience to help you achieve your fundraising goals. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your fundraising efforts and make a real impact!

Education Track: Fundamentals
Presentation Method: Interactive Presentation, Individual Speaker

Allan Burrows_CapDev

Allan Burrows

Partner and CEO, CapDev


Session


"Solving Dismal Donor Retention with Superior Stewardship"
Donor retention data has been dismal for years. Let's take a deep dive into the causes and the solutions with a keen eye for solid donor stewardship. Only 45.5% of donors are giving more than once to the same organization, a rate that continues to decline. The #1 way to capitalize on your philanthropic potential is to overcome poor donor retention rates. Stop bleeding $1.25 costs to obtain $1 from a new donor, and keep the donors you have. Learn about changing donor relations concerns relative to donor retention; discuss the factors that led to this challenge and their impact; learn what you should be measuring and how; consider some current examples; exchange real-time ideas; reframe your messaging to better appeal to repeat donors; and consider ways to gather and use data for decision-making. Because we know that nearly a third of all giving occurs from Giving Tuesday through year-end, with 11% in the final three days of the year, these focus points provide a year-long emphasis on donor cultivation and retention by starting now to beat the year-end scramble.

Education Track: Leadership
Presentation Method: Two Speakers

Christine Casey (1)

Christine Casey. MSG, MBA, CFRE

Vice President of Philanthropy, Transistions Life Care


Session


"From Overwhelmed to Organized: Ten Strategies to Create Your Ultimate Annual Campaign Plan"
Building a successful Annual Campaign takes more than a great mission and loyal donors. It also takes a great plan! Learn tips and tricks for creating your ultimate Annual Campaign plan from someone who has raised millions of dollars in annual campaigns over a 30 year career. Together we'll discuss ten key strategies to get you from overwhelmed to organized including: Telling a Great Story; Budgeting & Goal-Setting; Volunteer/Stakeholder Engagement; Wealth Screening; Segmentation; Creating Your Annual Calendar; Stewardship strategies; and Reporting & Evaluation. Participants will go home prepared with a take-home workbook and worksheets to help get started immediately.

Education Track: Fundamentals
Presentation Method: Interactive Presentation, Individual Speaker

Barbara Coury

Barbara Coury

Vice Chancellor and Foundation President, North Carolina School of Science and Math Foundation


Session

"The Nonprofit Marketplace: High Trust, Low Understanding"
The American public trusts the nonprofit sector, yet has very little understanding of how it works. The majority of nonprofit board members come from the for-profit sector and would benefit from a toolkit that is written in their language. The toolkit explains how nonprofits function in the marketplace, where the money comes from, which activities raise money efficiently, and the board's role in each fundraising segment. Learn how to staff your board members to actively participate in the fundraising process once they understand how to maximize their own ROI. You'll raise more money and your board will be more engaged.

Education Track: Special Interests
Presentation Method: Individual Speaker


Amy Fazio

Amy Fazio

CEO and Nonprofit Growth Consultant, Magnify Your Mission


Session


"More Than A Mission, It's a Movement: 3 Steps to Build a Wildly Engaged Community"
Social movements and nonprofits are fueled by the power of community. Effective community leaders understand how to organize and activate supporters into a force for good and how to leverage their collective power. We'll explore key strategies to attract and galvanize a more inclusive, diverse, and fired-up coalition of change-makers into a movement - an army of engaged advocates, so that everything else gets easier... fundraising, strategic partnerships, and bigger impact. In 2023, it is essential to acknowledge why digital community building is the future of fundraising and learn how to build trust, authority and emotional connection online.

Education Track: Strategy & Messaging
Presentation Method: Interactive Presentation, Individual Speaker

Elizabeth Freeze

Elizabeth Freeze

Director of Development for Major Gifts, Guilford College


Session


"Strengths-Based Leadership in Philanthropy"
In a more chaotic job market, when fundraisers have shorter and shorter tenures within organizations, what can we do to increase fundraising effectiveness and increase employee satisfaction? A strengths-based approach to your team focuses energy on what your team members do well. Everyone has something to contribute: a skillset, knowledge base, an attitude that can be leveraged to support the team and its broader goals. Let's talk about how to get there.

Education Track: Leadership
Presentation Method: Individual Speaker

Matthew Gardner

Matt Gardner

Senior Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch


Session


"High Net Worth Philanthropy: A Unique Perspective on Your Biggest Donors"
The world of philanthropy is changing, especially for high-net-worth families. Today's affluent donors are using a combination of direct giving and charitable giving vehicles as part of a more intentional charitable strategy that integrates their philanthropic goals, tax planning, and broader wealth management strategy. A discussion of trends in high-net-worth philanthropy and recent and proposed tax law changes will give you deeper insights into your organization's largest donors. You will enjoy hearing a unique perspective on philanthropic planning from wealth managers working with both affluent families and nonprofit organizations.

Education Track: Donors & Funding
Presentation Method: Individual Speaker

Michelle Hamilton

Michelle Hamilton, CFRE

Managing Director, Carter


Session


"Your Fundraising Program Needs a Check-Up!"
Participants in this interactive workshop will leave with the knowledge and tools to "audit" their development program and chart a path toward best practices. The knowledge base for this session is built on the essential components of a successful fundraising program and the infrastructure required to support it. Takeaways will include a guided workbook for auditing their own fundraising program. This is appropriate for intermediate and advanced participants.

Education Track: Special Interest
Presentation Method: Interactive Presentation

Clare Jordan_CapDev

Clare Jordan

Vice President, CapDev


Session


"Solving Dismal Donor Retention with Superior Stewardship"
Donor retention data has been dismal for years. Let's take a deep dive into the causes and the solutions with a keen eye for solid donor stewardship. Only 45.5% of donors are giving more than once to the same organization, a rate that continues to decline. The #1 way to capitalize on your philanthropic potential is to overcome poor donor retention rates. Stop bleeding $1.25 costs to obtain $1 from a new donor, and keep the donors you have. Learn about changing donor relations concerns relative to donor retention; discuss the factors that led to this challenge and their impact; learn what you should be measuring and how; consider some current examples; exchange real-time ideas; reframe your messaging to better appeal to repeat donors; and consider ways to gather and use data for decision-making. Because we know that nearly a third of all giving occurs from Giving Tuesday through year-end, with 11% in the final three days of the year, these focus points provide a year-long emphasis on donor cultivation and retention by starting now to beat the year-end scramble.

Education Track: Leadership
Presentation Method: Two Speakers

Autumn Keck

Autumn Keck

Owner and Principal Consultant, Scribe LLC


Session


"The Grant Cycle: How to elevate your grant program before you hit submit."
While organizations tend to focus all their efforts on submitting a competitive grant application, grant writing is just one step in securing grant funding. Much like individual giving, the grant cycle begins at prospect identification and continues after you receive funding. This presentation focuses on the entire grant cycle while providing insight on critical steps that organizations often miss. Participants will learn how to apply proven grant strategies that will bolster their chances of securing funding.

Education Track: Donors & Funding
Presentation Method: Individual Speaker

Patton McDowell_PMA

Dr. Patton McDowell, MBA, CFRE

President, PMA Nonprofit Leadership


Session

"4 Ways to Inspire and Elevate Your Nonprofit Board of Directors"
Are your board members micromanaging you, or "checked out" and disengaged? It's challenging to engage even your best members, especially as it relates to fundraising. Join us for a dynamic workshop that will explore four principles with associated strategies and tactics to reengage the kind of board your organization needs.

Education Track: Strategy & Messaging
Presentation Method: Interactive Presentation


Mariah Monique

Mariah Monique

Sponsorship Strategist & Consultant, The Sponsorship Catalyst


Session

"Unleash Your Impact Through Corporate Sponsorships"
Do you desire to do more, but find that funding is always an issue? Success in securing sponsorships and creating long lasting partnerships requires solid relationships and sellable sponsorship opportunities. Create a burning desire for sponsors to want to be a part of what you are doing by learning strategies proven to get you one step closer to a closed sponsorship deal. Greater impact is on the other side of tapping into sponsorship dollars. I'll help you prepare to secure!

Education Track: Donors & Funding
Presentation Method: Individual Speaker


Mendi Nieters

Mendi Nieters

Armstrong McGuire


Session


"From Development Shop to Development Tribe: Building and Equipping a Team of Champions"
Dreaming of a true culture of philanthropy that penetrates your entire organization from staff to the board to volunteers and donors and seeps across your community? Longing for authentic storytelling that paints a picture of your organizational impact?

Education Track: Leadership
Presentation Method: Interactive

Donte Shannon_PMA

Donte' Shannon, FASAE, CAE

Consultant, PMA Nonprofit Leadership


Session

"4 Ways to Inspire and Elevate Your Nonprofit Board of Directors"
Are your board members micromanaging you, or "checked out" and disengaged? It's challenging to engage even your best members, especially as it relates to fundraising. Join us for a dynamic workshop that will explore four principles with associated strategies and tactics to reengage the kind of board your organization needs.

Education Track: Strategy & Messaging
Presentation Method: Interactive Presentation


Stephen L

Stephen L. Smith 

Armstrong McGuire


Session


"From Development Shop to Development Tribe: Building and Equipping a Team of Champions"
Dreaming of a true culture of philanthropy that penetrates your entire organization from staff to the board to volunteers and donors and seeps across your community? Longing for authentic storytelling that paints a picture of your organizational impact?

Education Track: Leadership
Presentation Method: Interactive

Stephanie Stenglein

Stephanie Stenglein, CFRE

Associate Executive Director, Arts+


Session


"You Won't Keep Your Donors if You Can't Keep Your Staff"
In an environment where the average fundraiser's tenure is 18 months, this session will focus on how to combat that trend. Attendees will learn from two seasoned fundraising professionals with track records for developing and retaining healthy teams who worked together for many years. We will discuss tangible ways to make employees feel valued, create an inclusive work environment, and encourage employee growth. This session is appropriate for managers who want to create the best working environment for their staff and are actively seeking retention strategies or future managers that want to learn best practices.

Education Track: Leadership
Presentation Method: Two Speakers

Markeeta Stokes

Markeeta Stokes

Speaker, Coach, Author, Entrepreneur, Markeeta Speaks


Session

"Prioritizing solitude: How to unplug, reset, and recharge it"
My presentations help women in their 30's up through their 60's reinvigorate themselves by transforming their mindset, and teaching them how to balance work and life in real time. I am extremely passionate about changing the lives of women for the better, and I bring that energy, combined with actionable techniques and real advice, to my presentations.

Education Track: Special Interests
Presentation Method: Individual Speaker


Rachel Sutherland1

Rachel Sutherland

Founder and CEO, Rachel Sutherland Communications


Session


"Shining a Light on your Organization Creating a Public Awareness Campaign to Raise Funds and Awareness"
While a public awareness campaign may seem daunting and overwhelming, with a strategic plan, clearly defined goals and objectives, a public awareness campaign can bring great publicity and financial support to non-profit organizations.

Education Track: Strategy & Messaging
Presentation Method: Interactive Presentation; Two Speakers

Robin Taylor

Robin Taylor

Consultant


Session


"Make Your Database Work For You"
Are you frustrated with your database? Does it feel like a very expensive rolodex that doesn't actually help your organization? Too often, organizations are frustrated and feel like their database doesn't actually meet their needs. Designed with front-line fundraisers and development managers in mind, learn about common mistakes organizations make when it comes to databases, how to avoid them, and how your database can help your organization work smarter, not harder, when it comes to fundraising.

Education Track: Fundamentals
Presentation Method: Individual Speaker

Erik Tomalis Headshot

Eric Tomalis

Virtuous


Session


"The Responsive Mindset: How To Build Resilient Teams & Drive Growth With Confidence Amidst
Uncertainty"



Presentation Method: Individual Speaker

Windi-Website-Headshot

Windi White
Director of Development, Healing Transitions


Session


"Launching a major donor program"
Join us to learn what constitutes a major donor program, why it matters, and how you can take the first steps to build a major donor program at your organization. For most nonprofits, major donors are the key to both sustainable operational funding and visionary projects or capital campaigns. It's critical to cultivate and steward these individuals through a unique donor journey with a variety of touchpoints throughout the year. We'll share with you best practices, tips and tricks to launch a major gifts program that support moves management, communications efforts and a healthy donor lifecycle.

Education Track: Donors & Funding
Presentation Method: Individual Speaker

Lauren Williams

Lauren Williams

Client Sucess Executive, Angel Oak Creative


Session


"Launching a major donor program"
Join us to learn what constitutes a major donor program, why it matters, and how you can take the first steps to build a major donor program at your organization. For most nonprofits, major donors are the key to both sustainable operational funding and visionary projects or capital campaigns. It's critical to cultivate and steward these individuals through a unique donor journey with a variety of touchpoints throughout the year. We'll share with you best practices, tips and tricks to launch a major gifts program that support moves management, communications efforts and a healthy donor lifecycle.

Education Track: Donors & Funding
Presentation Method: Individual Speaker

Lea Williams_PMA

Lea Williams, Ph.D.

Managing Director, PMA Nonprofit Leadership


Session

"4 Ways to Inspire and Elevate Your Nonprofit Board of Directors"
Are your board members micromanaging you, or "checked out" and disengaged? It's challenging to engage even your best members, especially as it relates to fundraising. Join us for a dynamic workshop that will explore four principles with associated strategies and tactics to reengage the kind of board your organization needs.

Education Track: Strategy & Messaging
Presentation Method: Interactive Presentation