education sessions
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.
Current And Prospective Donor Research
20 Years of Women’s Philanthropy Research: Implications for Growing Giving By and For Women
Building on two decades of research on gender and philanthropy, this session will highlight unique insights from the Women's Philanthropy Institute's new research on trends in women's philanthropy since 2000. Attendees will learn about the driving forces behind these changes and gain practical strategies for engaging women in philanthropy.
Education Track(s): Current and Prospective Donor Research
Audience: Applied
Speakers
Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy - Interim Director, Women's Philanthropy Institute
Jacqueline Ackerman is interim director at the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, which believes that gender matters in philanthropy, and that solving the world’s complex problems requires perspective, leadership, and generosity from women and men. Her work centers on moving WPI research into action, delivering insights to donors, fundraisers, and sector leaders that grow women’s giving and deepen fundraisers’ engagements with women donors. Jacqueline joined the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in 2012 after earning a Master’s in Public Affairs from the Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs in Bloomington.
Women's Funding Network - President & CEO
Elizabeth Barajas-Román is President & CEO of the Women’s Funding Network, the largest philanthropic network in the world devoted to gender equity and justice. In this role, Elizabeth leads strategy to strengthen the collective power of the network as a unified platform for change. For more than 20 years she has been a leader in progressive movements, including advocating at the national level for the health and rights of immigrant women and their families. Elizabeth is a graduate and Trustee of Oberlin College, and she received her master’s degree in international policy from Harvard University.A Decade of LGBTQ+ Philanthropy: Trends and Implications for Funders and Nonprofits
The Equitable Giving Lab's LGBTQ+ Index reveals that despite heightened attention to LGBTQ+ issues, giving to LGBTQ+ organizations remains a small share of overall giving. This session will unpack trends, challenges, and opportunities that have emerged in LGBTQ+ philanthropy and discuss implications for funders and nonprofits in this pivotal moment.
Education Track(s): Current and Prospective Donor Research
Audience: Applied
Speakers
Katie Hultquist, MA
Outright International - Director of Leadership Giving
Katie Hultquist is Director of Leadership Giving for Outright International, a global nonprofit advancing human rights and equality for LGBTIQ people around the world. She has 25+ years of experience in nonprofit management, philanthropy, and social justice activism for local, national, and international organizations including NPH USA, Ashoka, and many others. Katie holds an Executive Masters in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University and a BA in International Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy - Interim Director, Women's Philanthropy Institute
Jacqueline Ackerman is interim director at the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, which believes that gender matters in philanthropy, and that solving the world’s complex problems requires perspective, leadership, and generosity from women and men. Her work centers on moving WPI research into action, delivering insights to donors, fundraisers, and sector leaders that grow women’s giving and deepen fundraisers’ engagements with women donors. Jacqueline joined the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in 2012 after earning a Master’s in Public Affairs from the Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs in Bloomington.Una Osili, PhD
Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy - Associate Dean for Research and International Programs
Dr. Una Osili is a global expert in philanthropy and social innovation. She holds the Efroymson Chair in Philanthropy and serves as the associate dean for research and international programs at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, where she leads research on the Global Philanthropy Environment Index, Global Philanthropy Tracker, and Giving USA report. Dr. Osili earned her bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University and her master’s and Ph.D. from Northwestern University.GivingPulse: Applying Trends in Giving Behavior and Perspectives for Donor Engagement Strategies
Understanding your donors and what motivates them to get and remain involved in your organization is critical for maximizing your fundraising strategies. Explore the latest research from GivingPulse, a comprehensive analysis of donor behaviors and motivations, alongside the Field Guide for a deeper dive into practical implementations of these findings.
Education Track(s): Current and Prospective Donor Research
Audience: Applied
Speakers
GivingTuesday - Chief Data Officer
As Chief Data Officer for GivingTuesday, Woodrow has been instrumental in shaping the global generosity movement and has led ground-breaking research of individual giving behaviors. He leads the GivingTuesday Data Commons, bringing together a coalition of more than 1,000 collaborators across over 50 countries to understand the drivers of generosity to inspire more giving. Woodrow is a member of the Generosity Commission Research Task Force, serves as an advisor and is a past-Chair for Global Impact Canada's Board of Directors, and was previously a Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School.
GivingTuesday - Sr. Director, US + Canada Hub
Celeste Flores, director of GivingTuesday's US and Canada Hub, manages and collaborates with local leaders on growth strategies and mobilization of GivingTuesday in communities across the United States and Canada. This includes managing the learning community of over 300+ leaders growing generosity movements for their respective and diverse communities, causes, and cultures. Celeste is a strategist focused on community-led efforts with decades of experience engaging more people in giving. Celeste previously held leadership positions at I Live Here I Give Here, Foundation For the Carolinas, University of Virginia Darden School of Business, Texas Children’s Hospital, and United Way in Houston.
GivingTuesday - Data Scientist
Annie Collins is a Data Scientist with the GivingTuesday Data Commons team. Prior to GivingTuesday, Annie spent several years in data management and research roles within the Canadian charitable sector. She utilizes this experience alongside her academic background in mathematics and statistics in hopes of supporting data-driven philanthropy worldwide.
RKD - Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Justin McCord leads the Go To Market efforts for RKD Group, a leading fundraising solutions company for nonprofits. Justin is the host of the award-winning RKD Group: Thinkers podcast, has served as Co-Chair for the 2023 Bridge Conference and currently serves as Marketing Co-Chair for the Direct Marketing Association of Washington Board of Directors. He is a nerd for professional wrestling and the Grateful Dead. His favorite role, however, is being husband to an Elementary School Principal and father to two incredible humans.Hidden Gems: Finding Legacy Prospects (and more) Within Your Database
Data shows an organization only knows about a third of the people who have committed to legacy gifts prior to their passing- so how do you identify the two thirds you don’t know about? Learn how to use the data you already have to identify ideal legacy donors.
Education Track(s): Current and Prospective Donor Research
Audience: Applied
Speakers
Carolyn Soule, MS
San Diego Natural History Museum - Campaign and Philanthropy Manager
Carolyn Soule, MS, is an experienced and results-driven fundraiser with a demonstrated history of success spanning over a decade within the arts and culture sector. Armed with a Master's degree in Strategic Fundraising and Philanthropy, she brings strategic insight and expertise in legacy giving and campaign fundraising. Her track record includes spearheading impactful initiatives that have significantly contributed to the growth and sustainability of organizations. Carolyn is committed to fostering meaningful connections and cultivating lasting relationships with donors, and excels in utilizing data to inspire philanthropic support.How to Ensure Donor Retention Success
Are you seeing low donor retention numbers year after year? Spending thousands of dollars annually to acquire new donors? We will share some of our successes in donor retention in hopes of igniting a thoughtful, engaging conversation in which participants leave with some new tools for their organizations.
Education Track(s): Current and Prospective Donor Research
Audience: Applied
Speakers
Justin Duran, CFRE
Child Crisis Arizona - Vice President of Development & Communications
With more than 20 years of nonprofit experience, Justin leads a talented philanthropic resource development and communications team. Since 2016, he has been connecting a community of supporters with the mission and vision of Child Crisis Arizona. As Vice President of Development and Communications, Justin oversees the agency’s philanthropic and marketing efforts. His passion for the agency’s mission is shown through his efforts in expanding our impact by ensuring a sustainable future through philanthropic giving. Justin holds a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management from Northern Arizona University and earned his Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certificate in 2019.Leveraging Data-Driven Strategies to Amplify Fundraising Success!
Join fundraising's best frenemy duo as they spar over their secrets behind research-driven fundraising successes. This session will dive into lively case studies and dissect the game-changing strategies that have supercharged donor engagement and fundraising outcomes. Discover how targeted research and savvy data analytics can transform your fundraising efforts.
Education Track(s): Current and Prospective Donor Research
Audience: Applied
Speakers
Brooke Solutions - Founder
Cannon Brooke, founder of BROOKE Solutions, is a highly successful professional specializing in data-driven insights for nonprofits of all sizes. Building on his extensive experience, he integrates creativity and analytics to offer prospect identification, wealth analysis, giving trends, and engagement strategy services to organizations throughout the United States. Cannon has served in leadership roles at Chapman University, the University of Hawaii Foundation, and Hawaii Pacific Health, where he spearheaded successful prospect research for annual giving programs, capital projects, comprehensive campaigns, and legacy giving. Board service includes The California Advancement Researchers Association and APRA's Executive Leadership Cohort committee.Jennifer Oyer, CFRE, MA, AFP Certified Facilitator (formerly AFP Master Trainer), FCEP
Community Impact Advisors - Founder & Chief Joy Officer
Jennifer Oyer is the Founder and Chief Joy Officer of Community Impact Advisors, a boutique fund development consulting firm providing strategic counsel for nonprofit organizations and corporations striving to increase capacity and positively impact the community. As a connector and navigator in the fundraising sector who is deeply committed to creating space for partners to achieve greater philanthropic goals, Jennifer envisions a world where joyful giving is an integral part of society and every nonprofit is financially sustainable.Managing the Avalanche: Prospect Research & Assignment for 2,000+ Prospects
A challenge for many development offices is conducting research on and making relationship management assignments when there are a surplus of prospects. In this session, we present a suite of processes for addressing this challenge can be adapted and replicated at other organizations.
Education Track(s): Current and Prospective Donor Research
Audience: Strategic
Speakers
Campbell & Company - Consultant
Cara Anderson Rosas joined Campbell & Company as an Operations Consultant after 20 years with the University of Florida Foundation and UF Health. During that time, she took on or supervised many roles in advancement operations, including prospect research, prospect management, gift processing, CRM training, data integrity, and analytics. At UF Health, she developed and managed the hospital’s grateful patient and concierge programs. Cara brings her expertise in development operations to the full range of Campbell & Company clients. She has a BA from Wesleyan University in History and an MA from University of Florida in African History.
Campbell & Company - Senior Consultant
Jon is a Senior Consultant on Campbell & Company's Strategic Information Services team, where he conducts analytics projects and fields surveys to generate actionable insights for nonprofit organizations and improve operations processes. Jon is a graduate of Ohio State University, where he received his PhD in Political Science. During graduate school, he wrote and fielded original surveys, conducted experiments, and used a wide array of statistical models to answer research questions related to polarization and democratic norms.
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital - Research Manager
Cara Josephson serves as a Research Manager on the Research and Portfolio Management Team at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. In her role, Cara oversees the identification of new prospects, as well as in-depth research that furthers substantial relationships with supporters. Previously, Cara worked for JCCA as a Development Associate and worked in market research at various consumer insights and strategy consulting firms. Cara graduated with a BA in Communications and Digital Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.Navigating New Horizons: Leveraging Data Insights from FEP Q4 2024 for Enhanced Fundraising Effectiveness
Join a team assembled by FEP to hear the latest research from the initiative’s Q4 2024 report. This session brings together experts and seasoned fundraising practitioners to discuss the latest trends and data insights that will inform and enhance your fundraising strategies, helping you make informed, growth-oriented decisions.
Education Track(s): Current and Prospective Donor Research
Audience: Introductory/Foundational
Speakers
GivingTuesday - Data Scientist
Parsa Torabian is a Senior Data Scientist at GivingTuesday focused on sector-wide research, technology, and data infrastructure in supporting the GivingTuesday Data Commons. With a background in engineering, Parsa brings his experience in software development, statistical modelling, and AI research to solve complex technical challenges in the non-profit sector. He leads the technical development of the Fundraising Effectiveness Project on behalf of GivingTuesday.Tim Sarrantonio, MA
Neon One, LLC - Director of Corporate Brand
Tim Sarrantonio is an internationally renowned speaker on generosity, technology, and the trends in the social good sector. After helping various causes raise over $3 million, he then moved into providing support for thousands of nonprofits through his work at Neon One. He has spoken at AFPICON, NTC, TEDx, and holds a Certificate in Philanthropic Psychology from the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy. He lives in Niskayuna with his lovely wife, three lovely daughters, and a deep love of the Adirondacks.Suspect – Prospect – Donor! Demystifying Prospect Research for Major Gift Success from Identification to Gift
Whether you are managing a large or small fundraising shop, prospect research can turn the chaos of data into smooth processes that help you close more major gifts. You will discover how to use the right amount of research to work your way through the solicitation cycle to gift
Education Track(s): Current and Prospective Donor Research
Audience: Applied
Speakers
Tracey Church, MA, AFP Certified Facilitator (formerly AFP Master Trainer), MLIS
Tracey Church & Associates, Research + Consulting Services - Principal, Researcher & Consultant
A professional researcher for over 25 years, Tracey has worked with over 400 organizations in education, healthcare, environment, social services, Indigenous, the arts, and STEM initiatives, among others. She was Founding President of AFP London & Region (ON) and is the Treasurer & Chair, Sponsorships. Tracey is the Co-Editor & Contributor to APRA’s ”Prospect Research in Canada” book and chapter contributor to “Excellence in Fundraising in Canada” (2nd ed.). Tracey taught Prospect Research in Fundraising in Western University’s MLIS program for 15 years; received the inaugural APRA Canada Excellence in Prospect Research Award; and, is an AFP Certified Master Trainer.
Aspire Research Group LLC; Prospect Research Institute - CEO
Jennifer Filla is a veteran fundraiser with a focus on prospect research. As CEO of Aspire Research Group LLC, she believes that every development officer deserves a methodical, replicable process for major gift success. That’s why Aspire provides specialized major gift consulting, research services, and training. Jen is co-author of “Prospect Research for Fundraisers: The Essential Handbook” as well as numerous other research workbooks, and has served as a volunteer and trustee for a variety of organizations.Two Studies on the State of African American Philanthropy
Uncover the essence of African American philanthropy with Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D. and Dr. Emmett D. Carson. From boosting HBCU support to advocating for collective giving, delve into vital research and actionable strategies for societal equity. Join the dialogue shaping a more inclusive future through philanthropy.
Education Track(s): Current and Prospective Donor Research
Audience: Strategic
Speakers
Valdry Center for Philanthropy at Southern University - Former CEO, Silicon Valley Community Foundation and Minneapolis Foundation
A social innovator, Dr. Emmett D. Carson has helped create new institutions, programs and research in the pursuit of a more equitable society. He was the first COO of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, founding CEO of Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and CEO of The Minneapolis Foundation. He has authored seminal research on African American giving and philanthropy. His graduate and undergraduate degrees are from Princeton University and Morehouse College, respectively.
Howard University - Director, Ronald W. Walters Leadership & Public Policy Center
Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D. is the founding director of the Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center at Howard University. She has served as president and CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, executive director of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, in local government and college teaching positions. She has a Ph.D. from Atlanta University in political science.Alfred Harrell, III, CFRE, MBA
Southern University System Foundation - CEO
Alfred E. Harrell, III serves as CEO of the Southern University System Foundation (SUSF). The Southern University System is comprised of five campuses located in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport, Louisiana, and is the only Historically Black College and University -System (HBCU) in the nation. As CEO, he has activated programming and expanded the organizations capacity to serve the University and its surrounding communities through the creation of the Southern University Innovation Center for Business Opportunities and Entrepreneurship and the Valdry Center for Philanthropy — the first of its kind at an HBCU.Using Donor Research to Grow Your Income AND Increase the Diversity of Your Donor Base
This session will present key findings from donor research done by Amnesty International in 2022, tracking progress from an earlier survey in 2012. During that interval, racial diversity of the organization's donor base increased by 55%, and donor engagement also increased. Data collection using an equity lens will be covered.
Education Track(s): Current and Prospective Donor Research
Audience: Strategic
Speakers
Rosemary Oliver, CFRE
Canadian Civil Liberties Association - Advancement Director
Rosemary joined the Canadian Civil Liberties Association as Advancement Director in 2022. Rosemary was previously the Fundraising Director at Amnesty International (Canada) for 23 years and spent seven years leading Greenpeace's fundraising program. Rosemary has also raised funds for Oxfam and a small multicultural hospital. Rosemary is passionate about donor research and using research findings to develop communications and stewardship programs that result in higher levels of retention, giving and diversity of supporter bases.
Amnesty International Canada - Fundraising Director
Marie-Hélène is a seasoned nonprofit leader with over 20 years of fundraising expertise. As the Director of Fundraising at Amnesty International Canada, she oversees a diverse portfolio spanning Major Gifts, Legacy Giving, Digital, and Monthly Giving. Her impressive track record includes roles at respected organizations like MSF and CARE Canada, where she honed her skills in Annual Giving, Monthly Giving, and Donor Services. Marie-Hélène's unwavering commitment to social impact drives her to maximize resources and deliver exceptional results for the causes she champions.What Do Middle Donors Really Want - A Landmark Study
Attend this important briefing on a landmark study of the attitudes and preferences of more than 5900 midlevel donors from 36 different organizations. The study has yielded critical information for fundraisers looking to recruit, retain and upgrade this loyal and generous donor group.
Education Track(s): Current and Prospective Donor Research
Audience: Strategic
Speakers
Mark Rovner, JD, PCC
Sea Change Strategies - Principal
Mark is founder and principal at Sea Change Strategies, a research, coaching and fundraising practice serving non-profits. In his best-selling book Tribes, Seth Godin called Mark a “fundraising heretic” and a leader in the field of non-profit communications. Mark describes himself as a fundraiser who cares more about the donors and the fundraisers than the money itself. Mark works primarily with mid-level fundraisers and has co-authored multiple studies on the state of mid-level fundraising, including the latest study of nearly 6,000 mid-level donors from 36 organizations. Mark is a certified coach and holds a Law degree from Georgetown University.Alia McKee, MA
Sea Change Strategies - Principal
Alia McKee is co-principal of Sea Change Strategies. She is a veteran fundraising strategist with strategic chops and practical “in the trenches” experience developing brand-perfect fundraising strategies and campaigns. Clients have included: Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Population Services International, Everytown for Gun Safety, MoveOn, National Audubon Society, among others. Alia is a noted speaker, author and blogger. Her work has been featured in Forbes, NPR and The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Alia earned her Masters in Public Affairs and an MSW from University of Texas at Austin.How Australia’s Largest Domestic Charity Grew its Digital Fundraising by 250%+ from $6.4M to $22.8M
In the past 4 years, the Salvation Army Australia has undergone radical digital transformation, increasing digital fundraising by 250%+ and moving its donor base from legacy donors to younger donors. Learn the insights, tests applied and strategies behind how digital is powering up every part of the Salvos’ fundraising.
Education Track(s): Current and Prospective Donor Research
Audience: Applied
Speakers
