Canada's Fundraising Conference 2026

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.

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

Does the “I” in DEI truly include those who self-identify as multiracial—particularly individuals who may not visibly reflect all aspects of their heritage? Do we ask who is in the room, or do we make assumptions?

This session explores how organizations engage and communicate with multiracial board members, employees, colleagues, donors, and the communities they serve. We will examine how self-identification shapes belonging, where gaps exist in current DEI strategies, and how language and representation influence fundraising, donor engagement, and stewardship.

Through practical insights and real-world examples, participants will learn strategies to ensure multiracial perspectives are meaningfully included in fundraising, policy development, grant-making, and decision-making processes.
Join us for an important conversation on moving beyond assumptions to build more inclusive, responsive, and equitable philanthropic practices.