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Canada’s conference with a heart!
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Thursday, May 28
 

7:30am EDT

Registration
Thursday May 28, 2026 7:30am - 8:15am EDT
Thursday May 28, 2026 7:30am - 8:15am EDT

7:30am EDT

Breakfast
Thursday May 28, 2026 7:30am - 8:15am EDT

Thursday May 28, 2026 7:30am - 8:15am EDT

8:00am EDT

Welcome and CFC Opening
Thursday May 28, 2026 8:00am - 8:15am EDT

Speakers
avatar for Angel Benedict, CFRE

Angel Benedict, CFRE

Executive Director, 880 CHED Santas Anonymous
With more than 20 years in the non-profit sector, Angel Benedict, CFRE, has made a career out of fundraising, storytelling, and gently (and sometimes not-so-gently) reminding people why this work matters. A nationally syndicated writer, media spokesperson and conference speaker, Angel... Read More →
avatar for David Kravinchuk

David Kravinchuk

Philanthropy Firebrand, The Common Good

Thursday May 28, 2026 8:00am - 8:15am EDT
Mandarin Ballroom AB

8:15am EDT

Special Welcome + Keynote Introduction by Toronto Foundation
Thursday May 28, 2026 8:15am - 8:30am EDT

Speakers
avatar for Sharon Avery

Sharon Avery

President & CEO, Toronto Foundation
Sharon Avery is President & CEO of Toronto Foundation, where she has led a shift toward more inclusive, participatory, and equity-focused philanthropy. She has championed gender-lens investing, built community-driven research like Toronto’s Social Capital Studies, and introduced... Read More →
Sponsors
avatar for Toronto Foundation

Toronto Foundation

Toronto Foundation
For over 40 years, we’ve offered donor-advised funds that generate grants for community organizations in Toronto, across Canada, and beyond. But our ambition for more meaningful change goes beyond that. We help philanthropists, charities, government and other partners maximize their... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 8:15am - 8:30am EDT
Mandarin Ballroom AB

8:30am EDT

Community and Belonging | The Simone Joyaux Memorial Opening Keynote | generously sponsored by Toronto Foundation
Thursday May 28, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Thanks to the support of Toronto Foundation, Canada's Fundraising Conference is pleased to welcome Floyd Jones as the SImone Joyaux Memorial Opening Keynote Speaker.

Floyd will kick off the conference with a high-energy, inspiring opening keynote that will energize the room and set the tone for the days ahead.

This session will explore how community and belonging are built not only around us, but within us—and how connection, trust, and lived experience shape thriving communities.

It’s an invitation to arrive fully, reflect deeply, and step into the conference feeling grounded, inspired, and ready to learn together.
Speakers
avatar for Floyd Jones

Floyd Jones

Speaker, Coach & Community Builder, Floyd Jones Enterprises
Floyd Jones is a speaker, coach, and community builder based in NYC, dedicated to helping nonprofits and purpose-driven entrepreneurs create sustainable, engaged communities that drive lasting impact. As the founder of Floyd Jones Enterprises, a media and coaching company, and BackBlack... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mandarin Ballroom AB

9:30am EDT

Nutrition and Networking
Thursday May 28, 2026 9:30am - 9:55am EDT

Thursday May 28, 2026 9:30am - 9:55am EDT
Ottawa Room

9:55am EDT

B1-1: Case Study: Building a Movement from Scratch: How Save The CBC Mobilized 100,000 People in Months
Thursday May 28, 2026 9:55am - 10:55am EDT
How do you build a movement when the stakes are high, the opposition is powerful, and your team is small?

When CBC came under threat, Save The CBC started with a small group of volunteers and quickly grew into a high-impact social media campaign with more than 100,000 followers. In this session, Harvey McKinnon breaks down how the campaign was built, what worked, and what non-profits can apply to their own advocacy efforts.

At a time when independent media is under pressure and civil society faces growing attacks, this session offers practical lessons in rapid audience growth, message development, volunteer-driven campaigning, and public mobilization.

If your organization wants to build support, cut through noise, and respond effectively in a polarized environment, this session will give you ideas you can use right away.
Speakers
avatar for Harvey McKinnon

Harvey McKinnon

President, Harvey McKinnon Associates
Harvey McKinnon has been a fundraiser for over 40 years and is recognized as one of North America’s leading fundraising experts. His consultancy raises money for hundreds of non-profits in Canada and the USA. He is a seasoned trainer who has delivered fundraising keynotes at conferences... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 9:55am - 10:55am EDT
Mandarin Ballroom AB

9:55am EDT

B1-2: Major Donors Are Closer Than You Think: Identifying Your Next Major Gift Donor From Within
Thursday May 28, 2026 9:55am - 10:55am EDT
No matter where you are in your campaign planning, building out a major gift strategy, or simply trying to breathe new life into a tired prospect pipeline, the goal is the same: engage and inspire more people to invest more meaningfully in your mission.

That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens with a system.

Your next major donor likely isn’t a headline name suggested at a board meeting or someone pulled from the latest news story. More often, they’re already in your database—quietly sitting in a report, tucked into an Excel spreadsheet, or waiting to be surfaced through thoughtful analysis. The opportunity? Hiding in plain sight.

This practical breakout session is designed for fundraising professionals who are planning a campaign, building or refining a major gift strategy, or looking to strengthen their prospect pipeline. Participants will learn to leverage internal data, recognize strong major-gift indicators, and implement a repeatable system for identifying and qualifying prospects.

We will walk through practical, real-world strategies to identify high-potential major gift prospects using the data you already have. Expect actionable tools, candid insights, and a bias toward implementation.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
  1. Apply a practical framework to identify major gift prospects using internal data and existing relationships.
  2. Recognize key attributes and behavioural indicators that signal major gift potential.
  3. Build or refresh a prospect pipeline aligned with campaign goals and the long-term major-gift strategy.

Speakers
avatar for Liz Rejman

Liz Rejman

Principal, Liz Rejman + Co.
Liz Rejman (she/her) is a fundraising operations strategist and donor data specialist with more than 20 years of experience supporting social service, arts, healthcare, and higher education organizations. Across her career, she has worked in nearly every facet of fundraising — from data management... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 9:55am - 10:55am EDT
Toronto Room

9:55am EDT

B1-3: The Mycelial Exchange: A Circular Dialogue on Community Centric Fundraising
Thursday May 28, 2026 9:55am - 10:55am EDT

In the forest, the mycelial network serves as a subterranean intelligence. A vast web of fungal threads connects individual plants into a collaborative ecosystem. This "wood wide web" facilitates reciprocal exchange, ensuring nutrients reach the most vulnerable and allowing the forest to communicate as a single organism. This session adopts a micellar learning model to explore Community Centric Fundraising (CCF).

Moving away from traditional, top-down lectures, this is a circular facilitated conversation designed to mimic ecological interdependence.

Participants are invited to submit questions ahead of time.

These inquiries will be grouped into thematic clusters: themes with the highest volume of questions will receive the most expansive time for discussion, ensuring an adaptive, emergent learning experience where we are all equal in learning and sharing.
Speakers
avatar for Chantelle Ohrling, CFRE

Chantelle Ohrling, CFRE

Senior Officer of Legacy Giving, David Suzuki Foundation
Chantelle Ohrling, CFRE (she/her), is the David Suzuki Foundation’s Senior Officer of Legacy Giving, helping caring Canadians alchemize their values and hopes into enduring environmental protections. Chantelle also serves as Chair of Communications and Chair of Equity & Reconciliation... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 9:55am - 10:55am EDT
Victoria Room

9:55am EDT

C1-1: Are You Ready for a Capital Campaign?
Thursday May 28, 2026 9:55am - 12:00pm EDT
Most nonprofits underestimate what campaign readiness really requires. Goals get set, timelines get announced, and fundraising teams are left sorting out what's actually realistic.

This interactive two-hour clinic is for development leaders who want to get ahead of that. Drawing on 25+ years of campaign experience from $5M to $200M, Emma Lewzey will walk participants through the leadership, organizational, and donor foundations that successful campaigns are built on - and the honest conversations that need to happen before you launch.

You'll leave with a clear picture of where your organization stands, whether a goal has already been announced or the conversation is just getting started.

Campaign results aren't decided at launch. They're decided months, sometimes years earlier.
Speakers
avatar for Emma Lewzey

Emma Lewzey

Founder and Lead Consultant, Blue Sky Philanthropy
Emma Lewzey, CFRE, is a strategic advisor and campaign specialist with 25+ years of nonprofit fundraising and leadership experience. She launched her major gift career in 2002, managing her first capital campaign for Canada's largest 2SLGBTQ+ Community Centre.

Since then, Emma has... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 9:55am - 12:00pm EDT
Vancouver Room

10:55am EDT

Comfort Break 1
Thursday May 28, 2026 10:55am - 11:00am EDT
Thursday May 28, 2026 10:55am - 11:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

B2-1: Trends in Online Giving from the 2026 Edition of The Giving Report
Thursday May 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
This session explores key findings from the 2026 edition of The Giving Report, offering a national snapshot of online giving in 2025 and the trends shaping the sector. Presented by Mitchell Hillier (Director of Business Development, Environics Analytics) and Julie Fiorini (General Manager, Charity and Donor Services, CanadaHelps), it will highlight shifts in donor behaviour, the continued reliance on fewer donors, and the growth of emerging giving channels, such as monthly donations and securities donations. The session distills these broader trends into practical, actionable takeaways to help charities plan and adapt with greater clarity and confidence. Attendees will also learn how to apply these insights within their own organizations, using a toolkit from Environics Analytics to put the data into action.
Speakers
avatar for Mitchell Hillier

Mitchell Hillier

Director of Business Development, Environics Analytics
Mitchell is the Director of Business Development leading the Not For Profit, Education and Public Health sectors at Environics Analytics. Whether it’s a custom segmentation, developing a strategic plan, or building data literacy, he has worked with organizations of all sizes to... Read More →
avatar for Julie Fiorini

Julie Fiorini

General Manager of Charity & Donor Services, CanadaHelps
Julie Fiorini is the General Manager of Donor Services and Brand Marketing at CanadaHelps. Julie brings a diverse background in marketing, communications, and fundraising to support Canadians on their philanthropic journeys and to drive much-needed donations to charities working every... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Mandarin Ballroom AB

11:00am EDT

B2-2: Community Building 101: Welcoming All Voices into Philanthropy
Thursday May 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Building meaningful relationships across communities requires more than outreach tactics or fundraising strategy. It starts with trust, listening, and creating spaces where more people feel genuinely welcomed into philanthropy.
In this engaging breakout session, Jaya Mootoo will explore practical approaches to community building for fundraisers and community foundation professionals working to connect with broader and more diverse communities. Through stories, insights, and real-world experience, participants will leave with fresh perspective and actionable ideas for building stronger, more inclusive relationships that can deepen generosity and community connection over time.

Speakers
avatar for Jaya Mootoo

Jaya Mootoo

Director, Fundholder and Community Engagement / Equity Seeker, Oakville Community Foundation/ Jaya Mootoo Consulting
Jaya is a driven professional, dedicated to equity and inclusion in fundraising, the nonprofit and charitable sector and society. She has over 20-years of experience in social services and community development, including working with women and children experiencing intimate partner... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Toronto Room

11:00am EDT

B2-3: Interactive Content to Boost Online Donations
Thursday May 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Details coming soon.
Speakers
avatar for Claire Kerr

Claire Kerr

Sr. Director, Care2, Inc.
Claire is a nonprofit veteran who has worked for organizations in economic development, education, and fundraising sectors. At Care2, she works with charities and nonprofits as they use digital channels to acquire new supporters. She has presented online, social and mobile fundraising... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Victoria Room

11:00am EDT

B2-4: Beyond Fundraising: What Charities Are Learning About Reserves, Investments, and Mission Capital
Thursday May 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
As financial pressures grow and community needs intensify, many charities are reassessing how reserves, investments, and long-term capital strategies contribute to organizational resilience and mission sustainability.

This session will explore emerging shifts in how charitable organizations are thinking about financial stewardship beyond annual fundraising, including reserve policies, investment approaches, liquidity, governance, and the role of long-term capital in supporting mission impact.

Drawing on early sector insights and perspectives from sector and investment leaders, this interactive discussion will invite participants to reflect on the tensions, opportunities, and financial realities shaping decision-making within their own organizations.

Ideal for: executive directors, finance leaders, fundraisers, and board members interested in organizational sustainability, financial resilience, and the future of charitable capital.
Speakers
avatar for Aneil Gokhale

Aneil Gokhale

Director, Philanthropy, Toronto Foundation
Aneil Gokhale is Lead, Philanthropic Advisory Services at Toronto Foundation, where he helps individuals, families, and professional advisors design values-based approaches to giving. Since joining in July 2012, he has helped grow the Foundation's platform from a few hundred funds... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Seattle Room - 26th Floor

12:00pm EDT

Lunch | generously sponsored by PearTree
Thursday May 28, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

Thursday May 28, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way
Thursday May 28, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
"Lead, follow or get out of the way" may not be the kindest call to action.  
Nonetheless, it comes close to sensing the urgency of our time in search of the next generation of leaders for the nonprofit / social impact sector in Canada.
Creating calm, instilling confidence, a focus on values and providing direction in the midst of a chaotic world is not easy.
How will leadership differ for the next generation?  What new challenges will leaders face? What new skills do they need to face a new world order?  And what can we do prepare them for the challenges ahead.   
We’ve assembled a panel of leading nonprofit professionals and leaders to address what may be one of the most critical and pressing issues of our time … for our sector, our country, and the world. 

Moderators
avatar for Tony Myers, Ph.D., M.A., LL.B., CFRE (Ret’d)

Tony Myers, Ph.D., M.A., LL.B., CFRE (Ret’d)

CEO, Leaders of Tomorrow Canada Foundation // Fondation des leaders de demain Canada
Tony is a passionate enthusiast, formerly an international fundraising consultant, now turned CEO of a start-up NPO facing the same challenges as many other leaders in the social impact sector. His background includes success as a strategist, author, speaker and executive coach who... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Chantelle Ohrling, CFRE

Chantelle Ohrling, CFRE

Senior Officer of Legacy Giving, David Suzuki Foundation
Chantelle Ohrling, CFRE (she/her), is the David Suzuki Foundation’s Senior Officer of Legacy Giving, helping caring Canadians alchemize their values and hopes into enduring environmental protections. Chantelle also serves as Chair of Communications and Chair of Equity & Reconciliation... Read More →
avatar for Sharon Avery

Sharon Avery

President & CEO, Toronto Foundation
Sharon Avery is President & CEO of Toronto Foundation, where she has led a shift toward more inclusive, participatory, and equity-focused philanthropy. She has championed gender-lens investing, built community-driven research like Toronto’s Social Capital Studies, and introduced... Read More →
avatar for Krishan Mehta

Krishan Mehta

Vice-President, University Advancement and Alumni Relations, Toronto Metropolitan University
As Vice-President, University Advancement, Krishan Mehta leads Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) fundraising and alumni relations programs. A respected leader in philanthropy, stewardship, and engagement, Krishan has been a driving force within the TMU community since 201... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Mandarin Ballroom AB

1:45pm EDT

Comfort Break 2
Thursday May 28, 2026 1:45pm - 1:50pm EDT
Thursday May 28, 2026 1:45pm - 1:50pm EDT

1:50pm EDT

B3-1: Braver Together: Community, Courage, and the Future of Fundraising
Thursday May 28, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
How to turn courage, collaboration, and belonging into measurable fundraising impact.

The fundraising sector is at an inflection point. Innovation is accelerating. Expectations are rising. Burnout is real. And too often, organizations respond by retreating into silos—between development and marketing, programs and leadership, generations and fundraising models.

But the future of fundraising will not be built by lone heroes. It will be built by teams and communities who know how to lead together.

In this interactive, skills-based workshop, Tammy Zonker and Floyd Jones equip fundraisers with practical tools to break down silos, align teams, and use community as a catalyst for growth. Participants will explore how courage and collaboration are not just cultural values—but strategic advantages that drive revenue and resilience. Grounded in real-world practice and built around Floyd’s 4Cs framework (Captivate, Communicate, Convert, Catalyst), this session provides a clear structure for strengthening alignment, deepening belonging, and activating supporters as partners in impact. Participants will leave with concrete tools and a defined 30-day action plan to unlock cross-team momentum and grow fundraising results—without sacrificing their humanity.

Participants Will Leave With:
  • A simple 30-minute silo audit to strengthen cross-team alignment
  • A practical way to apply the 4Cs framework to evaluate and improve fundraising strategy
  • Language that shifts teams from fear-based leadership to collaboration-centered messaging
  • A clear method for mapping the donor journey and removing one growth barrier
  • One specific community activation they can launch within 90 days
  • A defined 30-day action step to increase alignment and fundraising effectiveness

Speakers
avatar for Tammy Zonker

Tammy Zonker

President & CEO, Fundraising Transformed
Tammy Zonker is a passionate leader, strategic thinker, author, and recognized expert in major gift fundraising with nearly three decades of impactful experience. As the Founder and President of Fundraising Transformed, President of the Modern Institute for Charitable Giving, Aut... Read More →
avatar for Floyd Jones

Floyd Jones

Speaker, Coach & Community Builder, Floyd Jones Enterprises
Floyd Jones is a speaker, coach, and community builder based in NYC, dedicated to helping nonprofits and purpose-driven entrepreneurs create sustainable, engaged communities that drive lasting impact. As the founder of Floyd Jones Enterprises, a media and coaching company, and BackBlack... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Mandarin Ballroom AB

1:50pm EDT

B3-2: Legacy Landscape Report: What You Need to Know Now
Thursday May 28, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Epilogue Wills teamed up with Good Works to look at Canada’s Legacy Landscape in 2025, and the result is an insightful report that every fundraiser should read. Join him for the most urgent and actionable highlights.
Speakers
avatar for Arin Klug

Arin Klug

Co-Founder & COO, Epilogue Wills
Arin Klug is Co-Founder and COO of Epilogue. With backgrounds in Computer Science and Estate Planning, Arin co-founded Epilogue with the goal of democratizing estate planning for all Canadians.

avatar for Holly Wagg

Holly Wagg

Partner and CEO, Good Works
Holly Wagg, CFRE, leads both the people and business at Good Works - a Canadian fundraising agency that specializes in direct mail, digital and legacy giving for annual donors. She is the proud co-author of You Can’t Take It With You: The Art & Science of Legacy Fundraising (20... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Victoria Room

1:50pm EDT

B3-3: Fundraising and Membership Structures
Thursday May 28, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Historically, membership was an important source of funds for the nonprofit sector. This has declined in the 21st century, in part due to declining participation and in part due to modern corporate statutes such as the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act and Ontario's Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, which conferred increased rights on members; many nonprofits have switched to closed membership structures. This session would examine intersections of fundraising and governance concerns around membership structures, including:
  1. Unintended consequences of using the term "member" colloquially
  2. Why fundraisers should have an interest in discussions about membership structures
  3. Legal benefits of communicating to members over other groups

Speakers
avatar for Benjamin Miller

Benjamin Miller

Staff Lawyer/Policy Advisor Nonprofit Law Ontario, Ontario Nonprofit Network
Benjamin Miller (he/him) is a staff lawyer on the Nonprofit Law Ontario project, where he focuses on the legal needs of nonprofits and charities. Over the past 8 years, Benjamin has answered thousands of nonprofit law questions, developed and delivered hundreds of workshops, and developed... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Vancouver Room

1:50pm EDT

B3-4: Thirty Top Tips to Boost Your DM Program
Thursday May 28, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Join Sonya for this rapid-fire session where she’ll share 30 great suggestions to help you raise more money with your direct mail appeals.

These tried-and-true techniques have been carefully collected from Sonya’s wide-ranging experience both within charities and agency-side. Whether you’re in a small(er) shop or a large organization, and no matter if your DM activities are new or mature, this session will offer practical takeaways you can implement immediately.

You’ll head back to work full of ideas to improve your direct mail copy, enhance your DM packages, and strengthen your overall program – just in time for the critical fall and holiday fundraising season!

Speakers
avatar for Sonya Swiridjuk

Sonya Swiridjuk

Principal, Sonya Swiridjuk Consulting
Sonya Swiridjuk, CFRE, got her start in fundraising with her youth bowling league in Winnipeg, convincing her dad to make a “major gift investment” and buy her lot of chocolate after most of it had already been eaten. Today, Sonya’s fundraising activities and writing convince... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Seattle Room - 26th Floor

1:50pm EDT

C2: Inside a $1 Million Monthly Program (And What You Can Steal From It)
Thursday May 28, 2026 1:50pm - 4:15pm EDT
Monthly giving programs are the backbone of sustainable fundraising—but how do you grow one meaningfully without overcomplicating your strategy?

Join Mary Saretski, Director of Donor & Stakeholder Relations at the Edmonton Humane Society, as she shares how a strong existing monthly giving program was elevated to new heights—currently generating $1 million annually. Since 2024, Mary and her team have grown monthly revenue from $61,000 to over $85,000 through intentional stewardship, thoughtful upgrades, targeted conversions, and consistent messaging about the value of monthly support.

In a sector where reliable funding is critical, monthly donors provide a vital, dependable foundation. This session will highlight how these donors truly become the backbone of an organization.

Attendees will walk away with practical, proven strategies to:
  • Strengthen donor stewardship to improve retention
  • Identify and implement simple, effective upgrade opportunities
  • Convert one-time donors into long-term monthly supporters
  • Build compelling, consistent messaging around monthly giving
  • Scale a program at any stage—from startup to mature
Whether you’re launching a monthly giving program or looking to take an established one to the next level, this session will provide actionable insights you can implement right away.
Speakers
avatar for Mary Saretski

Mary Saretski

Director, Donor & Stakeholder Relations, Edmonton Humane Society
A relationship builder, creative thinker, and problem solver, Mary brings more than 20 years of experience in the charitable sector, including leadership roles with the University of Alberta and Habitat for Humanity Edmonton. She currently serves as Director of Donor & Stakeholder... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 1:50pm - 4:15pm EDT
Toronto Room

2:50pm EDT

Nutrition and Networking
Thursday May 28, 2026 2:50pm - 3:15pm EDT

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:50pm - 3:15pm EDT
Ottawa Room

3:15pm EDT

B4-1: Building Proposals That Work
Thursday May 28, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT
How is your closing rate on proposals? If your closing rate is not 100%, this is the session that you need to attend. Learn the art of proposal development and understand how to move your closing ratio to 100%! (Just think of the leverage with your boss to be able to say… I deserve a raise… I closed every proposal I presented this past year… who else is doing that?)

The session will look at the format for designing a winning proposal, the steps for making a winning proposal, and the process of negotiating and closing a winning proposal. Whether that proposal is for a major gift ask or a sponsorship proposal, the process works.
Speakers
avatar for Brent Barootes

Brent Barootes

President and CEO, Partnership Group - Sponsorship Specialists
Brent Barootes has spent over 35 years in the sponsorship marketing industry, developing and delivering profitable sponsorship programs to charities and non profits that result in high returns on investment for these organizations. As President and CEO of the Partnership Group... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT
Mandarin Ballroom AB

3:15pm EDT

B4-2: From Hello to High Impact: AI Powered, Multichannel Fundraising Across Phone, SMS and Digital
Thursday May 28, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT
The way donors engage has changed—and tele-fundraising has changed with it. Today’s most effective fundraising programs place live conversations at the centre, supported by integrated SMS, digital touchpoints, and AI-informed insights that strengthen donor relationships across channels. In this interactive session, we’ll explore how tele-fundraising teams are working today within multichannel environments to create more connected, responsive donor experiences. You’ll see how SMS can thoughtfully support live conversations, how AI is shaping timing and follow-up behind the scenes, and why integration—rather than adding more channels—is the key to better engagement and retention. Using real-world examples, we’ll look at what it takes to align phone, text, and digital outreach into a cohesive donor journey without losing the human voice that makes tele-fundraising effective.

Participants will leave with practical insights on how to:
  • Integrate tele-fundraising, SMS, and digital channels into a seamless donor experience
  • Use AI-informed tools to support stronger conversations and smarter outreach
  • Improve donor retention through timely, relevant multichannel follow-up
  • Strengthen tele-fundraising programs in ways that are ethical, sustainable, and donor-centred
Whether you’re new to tele-fundraising, refining an existing calling program or rethinking how your channels work together, this session offers a grounded, practical look at how multichannel fundraising is reshaping tele-fundraising—and how to use it well.

Speakers
avatar for Alison Keys

Alison Keys

CEO, Keys Marketing Group
As Founder, President & CEO of Keys Marketing Group, has spent nearly three decades helping nonprofits and professional associations unlock transformational growth.

Over the past 29 years, she and her team have designed and delivered thousands of successful fundraising campaigns a... Read More →
avatar for Lisa Smith

Lisa Smith

Director of Operations, Keys Marketing Group
Lisa Smith is the Director of Operations at Keys Marketing Group, where she helps Canadian charities, non-profits, and member-based organizations build stronger donor relationships through thoughtful fundraising strategy, clear communication, and meaningful conversation.Lisa has more than a decade of... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT
Toronto Room

3:15pm EDT

B4-3a: How to Connect with Multi-Racial Donors
Thursday May 28, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT
Presented by Eric Saarvala, Executive Director of the Raymond James Canada Foundation

Fundraisers often talk about connecting with specific cultural communities — but what happens when more and more donors don’t fit neatly into just one group?
As Canada’s population continues to evolve, a growing number of people identify as multi-racial, bringing different lived experiences, perspectives, and identities to the donor journey. In this timely and thought-provoking session, Eric Saarvala will explore what this shift means for fundraising and how organizations can adapt to ensure more people feel seen, welcomed, and valued.
Participants will leave with fresh ideas for building stronger relationships and deeper donor engagement in the future of Canadian philanthropy.

Speakers
avatar for Eric Saarvala

Eric Saarvala

Executive Director, Raymond James Canada Foundation
Eric Saarvala is the Executive Director of the Raymond James Canada Foundation and Head, Corporate Sustainability. His 20+ years of consulting and management experience in the private, public, and non-profit sectors focuses on social impact through sustainability, corporate social... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT
Victoria Room

4:15pm EDT

Comfort Break 3
Thursday May 28, 2026 4:15pm - 4:20pm EDT
Thursday May 28, 2026 4:15pm - 4:20pm EDT

4:20pm EDT

Building a Culture of Generosity in Canada
Thursday May 28, 2026 4:20pm - 5:20pm EDT
If we’re going to shift culture, it has to come from multiple angles (eg. time, money, community), while also grounding the conversation in what actually makes movements resonate and scale.  Join Duke Chang, CEO of CanadaHelps, in a fireside chat about building a culture of generosity in Canada and the role the sector can play in sparking something bigger than any one organization. 
Moderators
avatar for Duke Chang

Duke Chang

President & CEO, CanadaHelps
Duke Chang is the President and Chief Executive Officer of CanadaHelps, the country’s largest online platform for donating and fundraising. Duke is leading CanadaHelps’ efforts to transform the way Canadians support charities, ensuring that organizations of all sizes can thrive... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Megan Conway

Dr. Megan Conway

President & CEO, Volunteer Bénévoles Canada
Megan Conway loves sparking creativity, curiosity and capacity across teams, organizations and networks to mobilize social change. With twenty years of diverse leadership roles in government and the charitable, voluntary and academic sectors, Megan has been recognized for her ability... Read More →
avatar for Brad Offman

Brad Offman

Chief Executive Officer, Greater Purpose Inc.
Brad Offman is the Founder & CEO of Greater Purpose. He has spent his career in both the business and charitable sectors, launching Spire Philanthropy, co-founding the Partnership Conference and Social Impact Professionals Canada, and holding senior roles at Mackenzie Investments... Read More →
Thursday May 28, 2026 4:20pm - 5:20pm EDT
Mandarin Ballroom AB

5:20pm EDT

Closing Platitudes and Gratitudes
Thursday May 28, 2026 5:20pm - 5:35pm EDT
Life is hard.  There will be prizes.

Speakers
avatar for Angel Benedict, CFRE

Angel Benedict, CFRE

Executive Director, 880 CHED Santas Anonymous
With more than 20 years in the non-profit sector, Angel Benedict, CFRE, has made a career out of fundraising, storytelling, and gently (and sometimes not-so-gently) reminding people why this work matters. A nationally syndicated writer, media spokesperson and conference speaker, Angel... Read More →
avatar for David Kravinchuk

David Kravinchuk

Philanthropy Firebrand, The Common Good

Thursday May 28, 2026 5:20pm - 5:35pm EDT
Mandarin Ballroom AB

5:30pm EDT

Fundraisers in Cathedrals Drinking Cocktails
Come enjoy an evening of networking, conversation, and cocktails at the beautiful and historic Church of the Holy Trinity—just a six-minute (450m) walk from the DoubleTree Hotel along Toronto’s parkland paths. The venue is fully accessible and offers a warm, inspiring atmosphere.

Opened in 1847, Holy Trinity is a recognized heritage landmark. Its bright, open nave and sanctuary create a welcoming space for connection and celebration.

For generations, Holy Trinity has supported diverse and marginalized communities, including a strong commitment to 2SLGBTQ+ people and families. This spirit of inclusion aligns closely withCanada’s Fundraising Conference values: bringing people together to strengthen communities and create positive change.

Join us in a setting that reflects our shared commitment to belonging and well-being for a joyful evening of meaningful connection.

Note: Please use the Bay Street entrance (west of CF Eaton Centre and east of Nathan Phillips Square; between Bay & Yonge Streets and Dundas & Queen).
Thursday May 28, 2026 5:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
The Church of the Holy Trinity 17 Trinity Square, Toronto, Ontario
 
Canada's Fundraising Conference 2026
Register to attend
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