2025 MFC Sessions

Full participation in MFC25 is applicable for 5.25 points in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification. Please refer to our CE Points Tracker (Word 384KB).

The Fragile Commodity of Trust and the Anchor of Kinship
Nneka Allen, CFRE, COC, PCC, The Empathy Agency

Two Black feminist philanthropic leaders in a conversation hosted by The Global Fund for Women during Black Philanthropy Month discussed a pivotal truth: progressive philanthropy must make solidarity and trust the center of moving money. As facilitators of philanthropy, we must confront some vital questions. What is the interplay between trust and solidarity? Does one precede the other, or do they perpetually feed into each other? What does trust and solidarity look like in action? How we cultivate trust and participate in solidarity is central to the philanthropy that the future demands.

Trust is not earned once and forever granted. It must be cultivated and re-earned constantly. Trust is established through maintaining behaviours and ways of being that clarify limits and instill confidence, responsibility, courage and truth. Trust means we can ask for what we need and interpret what other people do generously. These commitments make up the fabric of trust. Yet this fabric is often frayed when we look at Black people’s experience of trust in the charitable sector. 

The essence of radical kinship holds the key to rejuvenating our interpersonal connections and guiding us back to our true selves. When our collective inner revolutions spill over into the realm of philanthropy, they will fundamentally transform the charitable sector. By embedding the values of deep, meaningful relationships into philanthropic practices, this sector can be reshaped to truly embody the spirit of empathy and solidarity that drives human connection.

In this keynote, Nneka will delve into how the courageous community of Co-Conspirators anchor their activism in trust, strengthening their bonds of kinship as a consequence. She will revisit her difficult experiences with the AFP-GTC Board, highlighting how trust was eroded during this time. But it won’t end there. Nneka will also share how she and the Co-Conspirators actively nurture and continuously work to re-establish trust, resulting in deeper solidarity. These examples are crucial if we too seek to challenge the charitable sector and confront issues of injustice and inequity. Justice must precede love, highlighting that philanthropy is secondary to justice.

2025 Maritime Fundraising Conference Sessions, Tuesday, September 16, 2025

1A: Mission, Message, Money: Storytelling That Inspires Donor Engagement
Tia Upshaw

As someone who works at the intersection of community, business, and impact, l've learned that fundraising isn't just about the ask—it's about the story. In today's evolving philanthropic landscape, donors are craving deeper connection, transparency, and meaning. That's why I'm excited to lead this workshop, Mission, Message, Money: Storytelling That Inspires Donor Engagement. In this session, I'll walk you through how to use storytelling as a powerful tool to bring your mission to life and drive d o n o r action. I'll share t h e s a m e framework I use to turn lived experiences into compelling narratives that resonate, build trust, and create lasting relationships. We'll explore how to ethically center community voices, connect with today's diverse donor base, and move beyond transactional asks. Whether you're new to fundraising or a seasoned professional, you'll walk away with practical tools and fresh confidence to tell your story in a way that truly inspires giving.

Presentation Materials (PDF)

1B: From Donations to Collaboration: Unlocking the Full Potential of Stakeholders
Kathryn Levander, Manager, Business Development and Partnerships, United Way Maritimes

In today’s evolving philanthropic landscape, engaging stakeholders in deeper, more dynamic ways is key to growing revenue, increasing impact, and driving sustainable change. 

This session will explore how fundraisers can go beyond traditional philanthropic capital to tap into the full value stakeholders offer—including their expertise, influence, and networks. Through real-world examples, you’ll learn how to grow corporate partnerships into multifaceted, mutually beneficial relationships that deliver measurable social impact and support business goals. We’ll explore strategies for leveraging stakeholder expertise to co-create more effective solutions and using their networks to increase visibility and grow support. Participants will leave the session with practical insights and identified opportunities within their own organization’s strategy where these approaches can be applied. You’ll also hear from peers, sparking new ideas and inspiration to bring back to your team. This session is valuable for anyone looking to deepen engagement and drive innovation in their fundraising efforts—and especially beneficial for fundraisers in small shops, those focused on revenue diversification, building multi-faceted  corporate partnerships, or expanding stakeholder engagement.

Presentation Materials (PDF)

2A: We Come in Peace! From Eye Rolls to High Fives: Building Buy-in Across Your Team
Jaya Mootoo, Director, Fundholder and Community Engagement, Oakville Community Foundation
Shaylyn MacAulay, Development Officer, NSCC Foundation and Alumni Relations

Are you tired of coming up against internal roadblocks? Working with a colleague who just can’t seem to make time for the project you’re working on? Whether you’re new to fundraising or leading a team that needs to work together more collaboratively, this engaging session will equip you with the tools to foster a culture of generosity that starts from within.

Facilitators Jaya Mootoo and Shaylyn MacAulay will lead a discussion on breaking down silos, building relationships and empowering each team member to see their role in fundraising and the organization's impact. In the first half of the session, Jaya and Shay will share tips on how you can demystify fundraising for your colleagues, build inclusive strategies for both donor and team engagement and grow your fundraising program across teams. The second half of the session is an opportunity for attendees to share challenges and work through them in real time as a group. 

Key Takeaways:

• Proven strategies to engage all team members in fundraising, regardless of title or department.
• How to talk through common misconceptions about fundraising and build internal confidence.
• Tactics for embedding stewardship at every level—from donors to colleagues.
• Ways to highlight contributions across departments and celebrate collective wins.
• Practical steps to diversify your donor base and create a safe, inclusive workplace.
• How to lead from any level and inspire a shared sense of ownership in fundraising success.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the core principles of a culture of philanthropy and how to implement them.
• Learn how to break down silos and foster cross-functional collaboration.
• Gain tools to educate and empower your team around fundraising and stewardship.
• Explore inclusive practices that support both donor diversity and employee belonging.

Presentation Materials (PDF)

2B: Biscuits with the Boss: Believe in the Power of Moments and the Impact of Great Stewardship
Kathleen Murphy, Director, Communications
Community Foundation of Nova Scotia

You love what you do every day? That’s incredible! Let’s make you love it even more. In today’s ever-changing world of philanthropy, where donors crave connection, meaning, and a sense of purpose, stewardship isn’t just a follow-up. It’s your opportunity to build trust, spark joy, and  how donors they’re part of something truly good.

This session takes inspiration from the science of well-being, philanthropic psychology, and the power of moments. You'll learn how to turn events and touchpoints into memorable experiences. If you've ever wondered how to make stewardship feel less like a task and more like a gift, for both your donor and your team, this is for you. We’ll look at examples of stewardship copy and imagery from real charities and pop culture. We’ll vote live and discuss what works and what doesn’t when it comes to moving people to give. We’ll explore how to design emotionally resonant, human-centered experiences that reflect your donors’ values and support the future they want to help build. You’ll leave with practical, actionable strategies that deepen satisfaction, loyalty, and long-term connection. And yes, maybe even a little bit of Ted Lasso-style optimism.

Presentation Materials (PDF)

3A: Assessing What Your Organization Needs to Advance
Jeff Sodowsky, MBA, MA, CFRE, Pacific Vice-President and Senior Consultant
Global Philanthropic Canada

What if you had a map to the buried treasure, could you find it? Would you know what tools to pack for the journey? As organizations navigate increasingly challenging and competitive landscapes, many struggle. What few realize is the internal predictors of success and an ability to chart an improved and productive course toward the finish line for philanthropically financing the delivery of mission can be categorized and prioritized. In this Evolving Landscape of Philanthropy, responsiveness and adaptability are critical. Understanding environmental shifts is one thing, but all efforts are for not if key aspects of the organisation’s functioning are amiss. Fundraising – like a good quest for buried treasure – is a team sport. It is critical that fundraisers, leaders and key volunteers understand how applying three unique lenses across a charity will reveal its path forward. Whether applying the rubric to your charity or your personal career, join a conversation on how the Three Cs will chart your unique quest for success.

Presentation Materials (PDF)

3B: Staying Strong when the Mission Feels Heavy: Mental Fitness in a Changing World
Karen Dean, Mental Fitnss and Mindset Expert, Karen Dean Inc.

The philanthropic world is changing—and so are the demands placed on the people who keep it moving. Fundraisers are often the emotional backbone of organizations, balancing bold goals, donor expectations, evolving technology, and emotionally charged missions—all while trying to stay inspired, connected, and sane.

But what happens when the mission feels heavy?

In this refreshing and thought-provoking session, Mental Fitness & Mindset Expert Karen Dean offers a powerful reframe: instead of pushing harder, what if we trained smarter—mentally and emotionally? Drawing on personal lived experience and over two decades of leadership and entrepreneurial success, Karen shares practical tools that help fundraising professionals build their mental fitness, manage energy like a resource, and respond to stress with resilience and clarity. 

This session is for the humans behind the fundraising. It’s not about burnout band-aids or toxic positivity. It’s about staying strong, staying grounded, and staying in the game—even when everything is evolving around you.

4A: Navigating AI in Fundraising: From Fear to Function
Alexandra Theroux, Operations Specialist
AI First Consulting

Ready to demystify AI without losing the heart of fundraising? This session tackles the real concerns those working in fundraising and donor relations face about AI adoption—from leadership skepticism to ethical boundaries—while providing practical solutions that enhance rather than replace human connections.

We'll start with a brief AI primer covering what these tools actually do (and don't do), then address the elephants in the room: legitimate fears about job displacement, donor data privacy, and maintaining authentic relationships, alongside critical ethical concerns including exploitation of human creativity, environmental impacts of AI systems, and algorithmic bias. You'll learn how to facilitate collaborative discussions with leadership and teams about AI adoption, build compelling business cases, and establish comprehensive ethical guidelines through organizational dialogue that protects your values, donor trust, and broader community impact. The bulk of our time will focus on immediate, low-risk applications that streamline administrative tasks—think proposal writing, donor research, and communication drafting—freeing you to invest more time in meaningful relationship building. Through live demonstrations and real-world examples scaled for organizations of all sizes, you'll leave with specific tools and strategies you can implement immediately.

This isn't about replacing fundraisers with robots; it's about letting AI handle the administrative tasks so you can focus on what you do best—building meaningful relationships with donors. Whether you're AI-curious or AI-anxious, you'll gain confidence to navigate this evolving landscape while keeping donor relationships at the center of your work.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand AI fundamentals and realistic applications for fundraising work
• Address common fears and misconceptions about AI adoption in nonprofit settings
• Develop strategies for securing leadership buy-in and establishing ethical AI usage policies
• Learn practical AI tools for streamlining administrative tasks in donor management and campaign work
• Begin developing an AI usage framework that prioritizes human relationships while leveraging technological efficiency
• Identify appropriate boundaries and values-based guidelines for organizational AI use

Presentation Materials (PDF)

4B: From Burnout to Boundaries: Creating a Sustainable Grant Strategy
Vanessa Burns, Grant Consultant
Vanessa Burns Grant Consulting

As the philanthropic landscape evolves, so must the way we approach grants. Starting with boundaries, and not burnout. Nonprofits are facing growing pressure to “apply for every possible grant and hope something sticks” As a result, grant writers are burning out at alarming rates. 

It’s time to challenge this grant hustle mindset. In this energizing session, you will learn to build a more intentional, sustainable grant strategy and program. One that prioritizes alignment over urgency and impact over output. You’ll explore how to spot red flags in funder relationships, set realistic internal boundaries, and craft a grant calendar that serves your organization’s long-term goals. Not its short-term budget gaps. We’ll also dive into the equity implications of grants, including how underrepresented organizations often carry the greatest burdens. 

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, disillusioned, or plain tired of the grant grind, this session is your permission slip to do things differently. Walk away with mindset shifts, practical tools, and a clear framework for applying for grants with purpose. Yes, you can fundraise smarter, in the evolving landscape of philanthropy.

Presentation Materials (PDF)

Reference Guide (PDF)

Closing Plenary: Wije’winen – “Come with Us” in the Spirit of Giving: Indigenous Teachings in Ancestral, Cultural and Communal sharing.
Pam Glode-Desrochers, Executive Director
Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre

Corinne MacLellan, HCol., BPR, Founder
CMC Communications

Elder Debbie Eisan

As the closing session of the conference, this gathering explores Indigenous frameworks of giving—rooted in reciprocity, kinship, and responsibility to future generations—and how these concepts challenge and enrich dominant fundraising models.

Drawing from the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre’s (MNFC) 50-year journey and its current capital campaign for a new Centre, the session will show how ancestral teachings are being lived out in practice today. Rather than a “how-to,” this is an invitation for fundraisers to reimagine their work through Indigenous values of relationship, humility, and stewardship. The new Centre is not presented as a fundraising pitch, but as a living embodiment of Wije’winen: “Come with us, you are welcome.”

Learning Outcomes / Takeaways

Participants will:

1. Understand Indigenous meaning attached to wealth, generosity, and relationality.
2. Reflect on the limitations of transactional donor models.
3. Apply practices that foreground reciprocity, respect, and collective responsibility.
4. Explore what it means to steward gifts with humility and accountability