Beyond the First Gift: Practical Strategies for Donor Retention, Growth and Stewardship

Retaining and growing donors requires more than good intentions—it requires systems, clarity, and shared ownership. Beyond the First Gift brings together fundraising leaders to unpack practical strategies for stewardship, relationship alignment, and sustaining donor programs that drive long-term impact. Join us for a morning that is sure to deepen your approach to donor retention, growth, and stewardship.

SESSIONS:

Session One: Designing the Donor Experience: Stewardship as a System, Not a Series of Thank-You's

• Judy Reissmann, Director of Development at Independent Curators International
  
• Anjelica Garcia, Senior Director of Individual Giving, The Door
• Thomas Moore, Executive Director, American Friends of the Louvre, Moderator

Session Two: Sustainers: Successful Strategies to Acquire, Maintain Upgrade and Steward Monthly Donors

• Aine Doddy, Director of Donor Marketing, and leads the sustainer program at Action Against Hunger.
  
• Sophia Palmer, Senior Manager, Annual Giving & Direct Marketing for Food Bank for NYC
  
• Gary Weinberg, President, DM Pros, Moderator

Session Three: Who Owns the Relationship? Aligning Staff, Boards, and Volunteers Around Donor Retention

• Alexandra Blair, VP Development, YMCA of Greater New York
  
• Claudette Scheffold, Chief Development Officer, Scouting America-Greater New York Council 
• Susan Sharer, Sharer Strategies, Moderator

AGENDA:

9:00am-9:15am: Breakfast + Networking

9:20am: Welcome + Intro 

9:30am-10:20am: Session 1 

10:20-10:30am: Break

10:30am: Session 2

11:20am-11:30am: Break

11:30am-12:20pm: Panel 3

12:20-12:30pm: Closing Remarks

Development and Communications: The Partnership, the Challenges, and the Keys to Success

Development and Communications fall under the same umbrella at many organizations and work side by side at others. What are the keys to a successful fundraising-focused communications strategy? Hear from three senior leaders and learn how they have adapted their approaches to fit varied size teams, a constantly changing landscape, and how they build a cohesive partnership.

AGENDA:
9:00 AM – Registration, Coffee + Networking

9:15 AM – Panel Discussion

10:15 AM – Interactive Q&A

10:45 AM – Networking & Closing Remarks

SPEAKERS:
(additional speakers coming soon)

Barbara Kancelbaum is the VP of Communications & Marketing for Henry Street Settlement, the social services, arts, and health care nonprofit on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Barbara joined Henry Street in 2018 and is responsible for branding, traditional and digital publications, and media relations. Previously, she worked with multiple nonprofits, including several universities and foundations, as a writer, editor, and strategic communications consultant in the areas of health care, social justice, and law. A former communications director of Doctors Without Borders, she has a B.A. from Northwestern and M.S. in journalism from Columbia University.

Join Us for AFP's Annual Spring Networking Event!

Whether you're just starting out or already established in the nonprofit world, this event offers the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and build relationships that will help you grow in your career. Enjoy a relaxed evening of conversation and new connections, all while sharing insights over drinks.

Don't miss this chance to engage with fellow professionals and expand your impact in the nonprofit sector!

LOCATION: Tailor Public House 

REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

Panel Session: Meet the Grantmakers

More information and registration coming soon!