The
Year-End Fundraising Boost
Workshops 2025 Schedule
Doing Year-End Fundraising Differently: What’s Changed. What’s Working. What’s Next - Blake Arata, Community Boost
This opening session sets the stage for what’s ahead by unpacking the major shifts nonprofit teams need to know right now—from donor expectations and AI adoption to economic headwinds and digital engagement trends.
We’ll highlight five key mindset, technology, and behavior shifts your team must embrace to stand out this giving season—so you can raise more with less stress.
Expect a fast-paced, no-fluff breakdown of:
- What’s changed in donor behavior (and how to adapt)
- What strategies and tools are actually working in 2025
- What’s next—and how small teams can stay ahead of the curve
Let’s rethink what’s possible and kick off this day of learning with insight, energy, and action.
The Year-End Fundraising Playbook: How To Plan, Launch, and Win Your Biggest Campaign Yet - Stephanie Barnhill // Givebutter
Whether you're a team of one juggling it all or part of a small-but-mighty crew, you deserve a clear, doable plan that works for you, not the other way around.
In this friendly, action-packed session, we’ll guide you through a year-end campaign playbook designed to help you rally your community, tell your story, and reach your goals. From timelines and messaging to built-in Givebutter tools that save time and make your campaign shine, we’ve got your back.
You're doing incredible work. Let us help make year-end fundraising just a little bit easier.
Key takeaways:
- How to build a campaign timeline that keeps you on track (and leaves room for real life)
- Tips to craft a message that moves your supporters to give
- Fundraising tools and templates to save time, reduce stress, and raise more with Givebutter
Ask an Expert: Year-End Marketing Q&A - Chloe O’Rourke // Community Boost
2025 year-end fundraising is shaping up to be unlike any year before—economic shifts, donor behavior changes, and new tech are pushing nonprofits to think differently. That’s why we’re giving you direct access to one of the sector’s top digital strategists for a live Q&A designed to help you confidently move forward.
Join Chloe O’Rourke, who’s helped hundreds of nonprofits maximize their reach and revenue, for an open Q&A to get expert advice on your biggest campaign challenges.
🎯 Bring your questions, campaign drafts, or year-end hurdles
🎯 Drop them in the Q&A pane or join Chloe live on stage
🎯 Get custom, real-time support to adapt your strategy for today’s climate
Whether you’re stuck on messaging, not sure where to invest ad spend, or wondering how to retain donors this year—this is your chance to ask your questions and leave with actionable insights.
You don’t need to figure out 2025 year-end alone. Let’s work through it together.
Thank, Connect, Sustain: Building Year-End Giving into Year-Round Relationships - Bridgette Bitzegaio // DonorDock
How do you turn a year-end donation into a year-round relationship? We break down the donor stewardship loop and show how intentional communication before and after year-end can lead to more loyal supporters and stronger fundraising results.
We’ll walk through practical stewardship touchpoints, donor thank-you strategies that go beyond the generic, and ways to stay connected after the calendar flips to January.
Whether you’re looking to boost retention or build a stronger donor community, this session gives you the tools to sustain loyal donors.
Fueling Impact: Campaign Strategies that Cut Through the Noise - Megan Waters // Public Interest Registry
In a crowded nonprofit space, standing out takes more than a good cause. This session looks at how teams of all sizes are building strong campaigns by staying focused, thinking creatively, and making the most of what they have.
Two .ORG Impact Awards finalists will share how they have connected with supporters, grown their reach, and raised funds during the year-end giving period, while staying true to their mission.
Key Takeaways:
- Real-world examples of how small teams built successful year-end fundraising campaigns
- Creative strategies to engage supporters and grow visibility with limited resources
- Insights on staying mission-focused while adapting to the fast-changing year-end giving landscape
The New Frontier for End-of-Year Fundraising: Online Giving via Crypto, Stocks & Donor-Advised Funds - Emily Fascilla // The Giving Block
In today’s rapidly evolving philanthropic landscape, fundraisers must think beyond cash to stay competitive and mission-aligned. With crypto markets surging, there's no better time to tap into one of the fastest-growing—and time-sensitive—giving opportunities.
This workshop will demystify the fastest-growing online giving vehicles—crypto, stocks, and donor-advised funds—and show you how to tap into a new generation of tax-savvy, impact-driven donors. Whether you're just starting or ready to scale, this session will equip you with the tools and language to fundraise smarter, not harder.
Key Takeaway #1
Clarity on Tax-Smart Giving:
Understand how crypto, stocks, and DAFs offer significant tax advantages for donors—and how to position your nonprofit to receive and promote these gifts with confidence.
Key Takeaway #2
Donor Demographics & Messaging That Converts:
Discover who is giving through these assets (hint: it’s not just tech bros) and the proven language and platforms that resonate with modern donors.
Key Takeaway #3
Strategies to Attract Millennial Wealth:
Learn how to connect with millennials—one of the largest generations inheriting and generating wealth—through digital tools, values-based messaging, and frictionless donation experiences.
Key Takeaway #4
Timing Matters: 2025 is Primed for Crypto Fundraising
Understand why the 2025 crypto market is different and the best time to accept crypto donations—when donors are experiencing significant gains and are most motivated to give. Learn how to seize this window of generosity and turn market momentum into mission-driven support.
The Art of the Thank-You Campaign: Pre-Wiring & Retargeting for Year-End Success - Brianna Ruloma, Community Boost
Your best year-end donors aren’t just the ones you acquire—they’re the ones who feel seen, valued, and inspired to give again.
In this tactical session, we’re diving into the underrated power of a thank-you campaign—how to use it not just as a follow-up, but as a strategic lever to pre-wire donors for your next ask and build momentum across Q4.
We’ll cover:
- How to build a thank-you campaign that deepens emotional connection (and doesn't feel automated)
- Timing and messaging to pre-wire supporters before Giving Tuesday and December appeals
- Retargeting strategies to stay top-of-mind with donors and warm audiences
- Tools and creative examples to help your message break through the noise
If you want to raise more, you need more than just great asks—you need gratitude that converts.
Leading with Confidence: How to Coach Your Nonprofit Team to Year-End Success - Julia Gackenbach // DonorPerfect
This year has been full of uncertainty—funding cuts, new regulations, and stretched resources—and now you’re heading into the most critical fundraising season of the year. As a nonprofit leader, your job is to set the tone, shape the vision, and lead your team across the finish line with confidence. Instead of another tactical year-end checklist, this session is your leadership playbook.
In this fast-paced presentation, join Julia Gackenbach, DonorPerfect Nonprofit Advocate, to talk about setting ambitious goals, activating your team, and avoiding burnout. You’ll learn how to energize every player on your team, make smarter decisions through data, and create the kind of alignment that inspires high impact.
Whether it’s your first or fiftieth year-end campaign, you'll walk away with a clear action plan to motivate your team, achieve measurable results, and finish the year strong.
Key takeaways:
- Learn how to activate your team, board, and volunteers with a focused plan to prioritize outcomes, play to their strengths, and prevent overwhelm.
- Identify critical aspects of data maintenance that have held your team back in the past campaigns, but will propel them forward in the new year.
- Discover how to aim for impact instead of dollars by creating customized reports that highlight retention indicators and untapped opportunities.
Demystifying Video for Year-End: How to Unlock Donor Engagement Across Every Channel
Video doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or out of reach—especially during year-end, when donor attention is limited and stakes are high. In this 30-minute, action-packed workshop, John Wilson from Arbor will break down how nonprofits can lean into video now to boost year-end engagement and fundraising results.
You’ll learn:
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The big-picture trends showing why video is a must-have for year-end 2025.
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How to identify “low-hanging fruit” in your existing content library and create effective DIY videos for appeals and stewardship.
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Why cross-channel promotion is the secret to maximizing ROI (and how the “rule of 7” can guide your donor touchpoints).
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How LinkedIn—through staff, volunteers, and board members—is one of the most underutilized channels for donor engagement this giving season.
Walk away with actionable steps you can implement immediately, plus a behind-the-scenes look at how Arbor makes it simple for nonprofits to scale video storytelling during the most important fundraising season of the year.
You’ve Got This: Fueling Your Year-End Momentum - Ernad Civic // Community Boost
After a full day of insights, tools, and fresh strategies, this final session is where it all comes together—and your voice matters.
We’re closing out the Year-End Fundraising Boost Workshops with an interactive, high-energy recap designed to help you reflect, share, and take action. You’ll get a rundown of the top takeaways from the day, a flexible roadmap for your next steps, and expert advice to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
🗣️ Come ready to participate:
Bring your key takeaways, your next steps, or your biggest question—and you may be invited to join us on stage to share with the community. We’ll also leave space for live Q&A and personalized guidance to make sure you leave feeling empowered and equipped.
You’ll walk away with:
- A recap of the most actionable strategies from the day
- Community-shared insights and ideas to spark momentum
- A simple framework to turn learning into execution
- A final confidence boost to lead your best year-end campaign yet
Let’s close it out strong—together. You’ve got this 💪 and we’ve got your back.