Responsive Nonprofit Summit: Where Fundraisers Belong

Kick off the morning by getting to know our sponsors and engaging with fellow attendees during our networking session.

Welcome to The Responsive Nonprofit Summit! Thousands of nonprofit leaders have gathered to learn fresh insights and tactical strategies to create deep, personal connections with every donor.

• Carly Berna, VP of Marketing, Virtuous
• Scott Holthaus, Manager of Campaigns & Programs at Virtuous
• Becky Endicott, Co-Founder at We Are For Good
• Jon Mccoy, Co-founder & CEO at We Are For Good

Be the first to explore never-before-seen data from the 2025 Virtuous Benchmark Report. This exclusive session reveals how donor behavior is shifting, which fundraising strategies are proving most effective, and what sets top-performing nonprofits apart. We’ll break down the key findings, share real-world implications, and provide actionable takeaways to help you improve donor retention and maximize generosity. If you want to stay ahead of industry trends and make data-driven decisions with confidence, don’t miss this first look at the latest fundraising benchmarks!

• Carly Berna, VP of Marketing at Virtuous
• Gabe Cooper, CEO at Virtuous

In today’s digital age, nonprofits aren’t just competing for donations—they’re competing for attention. As distractions multiply at an accelerated pace, creating meaningful connections with donors is more critical than ever.

Join award winning author Nathan Chappell, a global expert on AI and generosity, as he shares strategies for fostering Radical Connection. Learn how to shift from transactional fundraising to building deeper, trust-centered relationships that inspire long-term engagement.

Nathan will offer practical insights on leveraging technology, rethinking organizational priorities, and building a community that donors are proud to support.

Nathan Chappell, Founder at Fundraising.AI &
SVP at DonorSearch

Great fundraising starts with great data. But how do you ensure your data is clean, connected, and ready to power smarter decisions?

In this session, Clay Buck and Tim Paris from Dataro will explore the crucial role of data quality in fundraising success—and how AI can take it even further.

Learn how clean, well-structured data lays the foundation for predictive analytics, helping you identify high-potential donors, forecast giving trends, and optimize your outreach.

Whether you’re looking to improve donor retention, increase giving, or streamline your efforts, this session will show you how to harness both data integrity and AI-driven insights to make better fundraising decisions.

• T. Clay Buck, Founder and Principal at Next River Fundraising Strategies
• Tim Paris, Cofounder + CEO at Dataro

Keeping donors engaged and committed is more challenging than ever, but it’s also the key to long-term fundraising success. In this session, we’ll explore proven strategies for strengthening donor relationships and scaling retention efforts without losing the personal touch.

Learn how to create meaningful connections, communicate impact effectively, and build loyalty that lasts.

Whether you’re looking to refine your stewardship approach or expand your retention efforts, you’ll leave with actionable tactics to keep supporters engaged and giving in 2025 and beyond.

• Create confidence in your communication
• Avoid embarrassing communication mistakes
• Allow for team-wide visibility into (trusted) metrics
• Create increased data coverage (contact info, attribution, project impact/funding, etc.)

In this conversation, we’ve gathered the leading nonprofit experts in data readiness to explore the key KPI’s every team should align to, best practices in data health and reporting, and the role technology plays to fundraise in the modern world.

• Christine Robertson, Consulting Manager at NPact
• John Mark Vanderpool, Co-Founder at Social Impact Solutions

Join us for a live demo of Virtuous and discover how to engage every donor personally, increase generosity, and streamline your fundraising efforts.

Explore how our nonprofit CRM, marketing automation, online giving, donor insights, and more work together to create impactful supporter experiences.

Discover how fundraising automation and donor signals empower your team to engage and retain donors more effectively.

• Cath Kutys, Solutions Engineer at Virtuous

At the heart of community-building is the power to reclaim and rewrite our narratives, because if we don’t tell our story, someone else will, and they may get it wrong. This panel explores how impact professionals can move beyond outdated, deficit-based storytelling and instead embrace narratives that honor dignity, agency, and the lived experiences of the communities they serve. By shifting from transactional engagement to transformational co-creation, we activate trust, belonging, and collective impact.

• Becky Endicott, Co-Founder at We Are For Good
• Jon McCoy, Co-founder & CEO at We Are For Good
• Rebecca Bernard, Director of Innovation, The Teaching Well
• Dr. Tim Lampkin, Executive Director, at Higher Purpose Hub
• Stacy Huston, Executive Director, SixDegrees.org
• Vivian Borja, EVP, Chief Marketing Officer at Food For The Poor 

In uncertain times, grant funding can feel unpredictable, competition is fierce, priorities shift, and the future is anything but clear. But with the right technology, nonprofits can navigate these challenges with confidence. This session will reveal how to leverage smart tools to identify the right funders, streamline applications, and manage grants more efficiently. Learn how to cut through the noise, stay ahead of shifting funding landscapes, and secure the resources your mission needs to thrive, no matter what the future holds.

• Gauri Manglik, CEO at Instrumentl

Your nonprofit’s average gift amount is one of the most powerful indicators of fundraising success, yet it’s often overlooked. A small increase in gift size can lead to significant revenue growth, helping you do more without constantly chasing new donors. In this session, we’ll break down practical, data-backed strategies to elevate your average gift, from optimizing donor communications to refining your ask amounts. Walk away with proven tactics to inspire generosity, deepen donor relationships, and create a lasting impact for your mission.

• Nic Prenger, CEO at Prenger Solutions
• Matt Hussey, Lead Strategist at Generosity X

Frontline fundraisers often struggle to build meaningful, long-term relationships with donors due to disconnected systems and inefficient workflows.

Join us for a live demo of Virtuous and discover how our Responsive Fundraising Platform equips frontline fundraisers with personalized engagement tools, real-time donor insights, and automation to streamline their efforts.

Learn how Virtuous helps fundraisers strengthen donor connections, increase giving, and drive sustainable fundraising growth, all while saving time and maximizing impact.

• Ben Harney, Strategic Solutions Engineer at Virtuous

Is your nonprofit effectively building lasting donor relationships? This session introduces a clear framework to evaluate and improve your fundraising strategy. We’ll break down the key stages of growth—from basic data management to advanced personalization—helping you assess where you stand and what steps to take next.

Walk away with a roadmap to better donor engagement, stronger retention, and greater fundraising success.

• Gabe Cooper, CEO at Virtuous

• Jason VanLue, VP of Product at Virtuous

Recurring giving is experiencing a renaissance driven by the subscription economy, which first shaped the way individuals subscribe and has subsequently begun to transform the way they give.

In his new book The Rise of Sustainable Giving, Dave Raley unpacks lessons from a two-year national sustainer study, two decades of experience, and insights from top practitioners in both recurring giving and in subscriptions. Sustainable giving is more accessible to more nonprofits than at any other time in history – this session will show you how.

Key Takeaways:
-Understanding major trends reshaping sustainer giving.
-How recurring giving is more accessible to more charities than ever.
-Insights from successful nonprofits to build a resilient giving program.
-Tap into actionable insights to grow subscription giving.

• Dave Raley, Founder of Imago Consulting

Universities and Institutions struggle to build lasting relationships with alumni and donors due to outdated, one-size-fits-all engagement strategies. Join us for a live demo of Virtuous and see how our Responsive Fundraising Platform helps colleges and universities create personalized, data-driven donor experiences.

Learn how Virtuous empowers your team to increase giving, strengthen alumni connections, and drive sustainable fundraising growth.

• Ashley Keene, Solutions Engineer Team Lead at Virtuous

Meet us at the Main Stage for the Day 1 Closing, where we’ll unearth the biggest takeaways from the day and give you a sneak peek into the agenda for day 2 of the Responsive Nonprofit Summit.

The first few touchpoints with a new donor set the tone for a lasting relationship. In this interactive workshop, we’ll break down the seven essential elements of an impactful new donor welcome series—one that builds trust, deepens engagement, and increases retention. 

You’ll walk away with practical strategies and real-world examples to craft a welcome series that turns first-time donors into lifelong supporters. Get ready to map out a plan that makes every new donor feel valued and inspired to give again!

• Rachel Specht, Manager of CX Enablement at Virtuous
• Brad Davies, Vice President Ministry Digital Growth at Salem Media Group

A donor’s journey doesn’t end with a gift—it’s just the beginning. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll dive into the art and science of donor stewardship, equipping you with practical strategies to nurture long-term relationships, increase retention, and inspire greater generosity.

Through interactive exercises and real-world examples, you’ll learn how to create meaningful touchpoints, personalize donor engagement, and build a stewardship plan that keeps supporters invested in your mission for years to come.

• Kayla Schneider, Database Administrator in Residence at Virtuous
• Beth Fisher, Author, Speaker, Business Consultant + Executive Coach