Fundraiser's Focus Week
Secrets to maximize event revenue.
Seats are limited to 1,000 live attendees per session. Don’t wait—secure your spot today and set your event up for success!
Register below
Agenda at a Glance
Monday, March 23
Tuesday, March 24
Wednesday, March 25
Thursday, March 26
Beyond the ask: stewardship that scales
2 PM ET | 11 AM PT
Session overview:
You planned the campaign, hit the goal, and felt the rush. Now comes the moment that defines the donor experience. Join Lynne Wester for a look at post-campaign care, from managing new donor volume to delivering acknowledgments that feel human and sincere. Learn how thoughtful stewardship and clear communication honor donor generosity, support organizational stability, and turn a high-energy campaign into the beginning of a lasting relationship.
Learning objectives:
- Plan post-campaign engagement before launch
- Manage growth without sacrificing personal care
- Deliver timely, meaningful donor acknowledgments
- Map out donor journey for long-term relationships
Lynne Wester
Founder & Principal, Donor Relations Group
For over two decades, Lynne Wester has been a dynamic force in the fundraising world, redefining how organizations think about and engage with their donors. A bold believer that donor relations is the secret sauce to fundraising success, Lynne champions the idea that the donor experience should be just as intentional and strategic as the ask itself. Renowned for her ability to challenge the status quo in all the right ways, Lynne steps in when organizations are facing pivotal moments — whether navigating a crisis or seizing an opportunity. Her approach? Smart strategy, authentic connection, and fearless innovation. As the founder and principal of DRG, Lynne leads a powerhouse team of experts who work with nonprofits of all sizes to transform their fundraising outcomes.
The art of the live ask
2 PM ET | 11 AM PT
Session overview:
The paddle raise is where connection meets generosity—and when done right, it’s the most powerful fundraising moment of your event. This session breaks down the three elements that make it work: a story that resonates, a well-timed and thoughtful ask, and a collection process that keeps energy high. Learn how advance pledges, the right messenger, and thoughtful tools help your community give confidently and come together around your mission.
Learning objectives:
- Create meaningful stories donors actually respond to
- Design asks that meet donors where they are
- Use advance pledges to build momentum
- Match the right speaker to the ask
Samantha Swaim
Founder, Swaim Strategies
Samantha Swaim has more than 20 years of event planning and fundraising expertise. She founded Swaim Strategies, a fundraising event consultancy, in 2004, working internationally with nonprofit organizations to produce impactful events that move missions forward. Samantha is the co-author of “Planning a Successful Major Donor Event”, is the founder of the annual Elevate fundraising event conference scheduled for March 3-4, 2026 and is the co-host of “The Fundraising Elevator” podcast. She is on a mission to support nonprofits in elevating their impact through events.
Centering community & antiracist principles in every event
2 PM ET | 11 AM PT
Session overview:
How can we design events that truly reflect and uplift the communities we serve? Rachel D’Souza shows how a community-centric, antiracist lens can guide resource allocation, event structure, and engagement strategies. Discover how to organize your events with equity, build authentic relationships, and design experiences that advance your mission and align with justice-driven values.
Learning objectives:
- Design events with inclusion as priority
- Center community voices in every event decision
- Shift resources for shared community benefit
- Build authentic, long-lasting community relationships
Rachel D’Souza
Founder, Gladiator Consulting
Rachel D’Souza is the founder of Gladiator Consulting, a boutique firm serving nonprofits across the country. Through Gladiator, Rachel has served as an innovator and pioneer in the Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF) movement, a global initiative to reimagine the nonprofit sector through a lens of radical collaboration, racial equity, social justice, and decolonization, and is a member of the CCF Global Council. In 2024, Rachel became the first person of color to serve as Board President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater St. Louis in its forty-nine year history. She recently graduated with her second Masters Degree at the Washington University School of Law, and hopes to build more transformative connections between the nonprofit and public sectors.
Ask the Experts: Maximizing event revenue
2 PM ET | 11 AM PT
Roundtable overview:
Join us in a roundtable discussion hosted by Rachel Muir where fundraising experts Lynne, Samantha, and Rachel answer your questions and provide thoughtful tips and advice.
Learning objectives:
- Answer your fundraising questions
- Provide key takeaways for your organization
- Wrap up Fundraiser’s Focus Week