Learning Labs & Workshops
Seeing Your Work Differently: Where AI Fits in Fundraising
Most AI education starts with the tool, not the work. The result: low adoption, inconsistent usage, and a lingering sense that AI is interesting but not quite useful yet.
Who's in the Room? Everyone
Theme/Sector: AI & Technology
What's Your Donor Love Language?
Learn to speak your donor’s love language, translating it into stronger relationships and new impact opportunities.
Who's in the Room? Everyone
Theme/Sector: Engagement & Retention Strategies
The Data Detective: Using Critical Thinking
to Make Better Fundraising Decisions
Every fundraiser works with data—but not everyone knows how to uncover the story hidden within it. The ability to interpret data, ask better questions, and challenge assumptions is what separates good decisions from great ones.
Who's in the Room? A practical hands on refresher for everyone
The Fundraising Myths We Keep Repeating (and Why They’re Holding Us Back)
In this lively, discussion‑based session, senior fundraisers are invited to take a thoughtful (and good‑natured) look at some of the most common fundraising myths we keep repeating—and ask what impact they’re really having on our work.
Who's in the Room? Senior Leadership
Small Shop
Approved
2 in 1: Build Your Personal Brand &
The Permission to Stop
Part One: Learn to define your Zone of Genius. Take authority over how you communicate about yourself.
Part Two: Fundraisers are often encouraged to do more, give more, and carry more—but what if sustainable impact begins with deciding what to stop?
Who's in the Room? Everyone
Netflix & Will: Marketing Legacy Giving to a Millennial Audience
Redesigning Millennial marketing strategies for next gen legacy giving.
Who's in the Room? Everyone
Theme/Sector: Marketing & Next Gen Engagement
Ethical Storytelling for Fundraising
Ever question the stories you are asked to tell? Or want to evolve how your organization communicates impact ? develop targeted messaging while retaining empathy, respect and credibility.
Who's in the Room? Everyone
Theme/Sector: Ethics & Engagement Strategy
Case & Research Studies
The Cost of Saying Yes: A Gift Acceptance Ethics Workshop
Following a brief introduction to research, best practices, and decision-making frameworks, participants will work through a realistic gift acceptance scenario and grapple with the trade-offs involved.
Who's in the Room? Everyone
Theme/Sector: Ethics
Prevalence and Preference: Why Some Conditions Raise Millions (And Other Don't)
Insights on Canadian attitudes towards 20 major health conditions and contrasts in giving in Ireland and the UK.
Who's in the Room? Health Related Organizations/Foundation/Social Enterprise
Theme/Sector: Engagement, Health Care
From Must-See to Must-Support
Exploring how TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) has turned the emotion, access, and sense of belonging surrounding the Festival into sustained philanthropic engagement.
Who's in the Room? Everyone
Theme/Sector: Engagement, Arts & Culture
Tidal Waves: Women's Philanthropy in Canada
Women’s giving in Canada has tripled over the past decade. To understand the strategies and implications of women’s philanthropy, we need to assess giving in country-specific contexts beyond the US-dominant literature and consider charitable giving as one of several philanthropic vehicles.
Who's in the Room? Everyone
Theme/Sector: Engagement, Arts & Culture
What’s Enduring. What’s Evolving. What’s Emerging: KCI 2026 Campaign Trends Report
Drawing on new national research and real-world campaign experience, this session will explore what is changing, what is holding steady, and what it means for philanthropy today.
Who's in the Room? Everyone
Theme/Sector: Trends
Panel Sessions
Fragmentation to Flow: Catalyzing Collaborative Funding for Systems Change in Canda
A critical conversation on the current landscape of collaborative funding in Canada.
Insights into what enables (and destabilizes) collaboration, early access to emerging standards and commitments that stand to shape the field, and an opportunity for attendees to contribute.
Updated findings from the Canadian Collaborative Funders Initiative (CCFI), a national effort stewarded by Tamarack Institute in partnership with Philanthropic Foundations Canada and SETSI.
Who's in the Room? Everyone
Theme/Sector: Community/Pooled Funding/Access
The Shifting Landscape of Next Generation Engagement
This session will bring together leaders from across the arts, culture, and philanthropic sectors to explore how organizations are adapting their engagement strategies to cultivate meaningful relationships with younger audiences, supporters, and future leaders.
Panelists will share lessons learned, emerging trends, and practical insights on building sustainable communities of support in an increasingly dynamic environment.
Who's in the Room? Everyone
Theme/Sector: Community/Next Gen
Fireside Chats
Beyond Borders: Reflections on a Changing Philanthropic Landscape
Drawing on more than three decades of fundraising leadership and conversations with nonprofit leaders across sectors, Birgit will discuss how organizations are adapting to today's changing environment, where new opportunities are emerging, and what leaders can do to build resilient organizations prepared for the future.
This session is not about politics. It is about leadership, adaptability, and the enduring role of philanthropy in addressing society's greatest challenges.
Who's in the Room? Everyone
Theme/Sector: Global POV - fundraising insights from south of the border
Coming Soon...
Presentations
Scriptless: What to Say When You Don't Know What to Say
We've all been told to listen more, talk less, and put ourselves in the other person's shoes. But when a colleague loses a loved one, when a donor's circumstances change, or when you have to tell someone something they don't want to hear — the advice runs out exactly where the conversation starts.
Who's in the Room? Everyone
Theme/Sector: Community & Ethics
The Human Signal: Using AI to Strengthen Donor Trust and Retention
We'll explore how leading organizations are using donor signals, behavioral insights, and emerging AI tools to better understand donor intent, personalize stewardship, and create more meaningful donor experiences.
Who's in the Room? Everyone
Theme/Sector: Engagement
The Neuro Workflow: When Neuroinclusion, AI & the Workforce Unite
This session will provide a practical exploration of Neuroinclusion in the workplace, examining what Neuroinclusion is, what it is not, and why it matters for organizations seeking to build stronger, more innovative, and inclusive teams.
Who's in the Room? Everyone
Theme/Sector: Ethics