Swaim Strategies Recommends: Top 10 Fundraising Trainings + Conferences
We are always learning—and we love a good nonprofit conference, fundraising class, or training program that helps us better understand our work in fundraising. Here are some of our favorites:
1. Elevate: A Conference for Fundraising Events
https://elevatenonprofit.com/the-conference/
We admit we’re biased on this one. Elevate Nonprofit, our resource hub, is where all of our work in fundraising and nonprofit events fuses together through building blocks that take virtual and hybrid events to a whole new level. Because we believe that movements are built on gathering, this conference offers attendees the space to uncover powerful solutions when planning a meaningful, impactful, and movement-building fundraising event. Plus, Elevate Nonprofit also offers courses for nonprofit professionals to learn more about fundraising events and gain the confidence needed to host a successful event of their own.
2. The Nonprofit Storytelling Conference
https://nonprofitstorytellingconference.com/
This is a conference for storytellers by storytellers. Every year, the best in the business gather to look at the intersection of fundraising and storytelling. This is where you’ll get the best advice for your next campaign, direct mail piece, video or event. One of our favorite parts is the opportunity to workshop your next appeal letter in a story lab with an expert.
3. WVDO Annual Conference
WVDO (Willamette Valley Development Officers) has gone national with a virtual conference that focuses on building a collaborative learning community and the skills that nonprofit staff and volunteers need to succeed. Not only does this conference focus on game changing conversations like community-centric fundraising, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion efforts and dismantling racism in fundraising, WVDO also creates a community of development professionals growing and learning together in their year-long affinity groups and learning cohorts. Beyond the conference, WVDO also offers nationally recognized training certification programs.
4. The Nonprofit Academy Training Program
https://thenonprofitacademy.com/
Guided by leadership and fundraising coach Marc A. Pitman, The Nonprofit Academy Training Program offers affordable, monthly content with advice and training from a group of experts. With a new training each month from leading experts, this program also provides monthly consulting calls and a library of expertise to tap into.
5. Fundraising Transformed Training Program
https://tammyzonker.mykajabi.com/become-a-fundraising-transformer
This training program offers you live trainings every month plus a library of on-demand trainings with the incredible fundraising coach Tammy Zonker.
6. The Greater Giving Thought Leadership Summit
https://www.greatergiving.com/en/lp/thought-leadership-summit
This conference is all about fundraising events and auctions! Hosted by the leaders of nonprofit auction tools, Greater Giving’s summit gives you training to maximize software for your next event and look at where the fundraising event industry is headed. Learn about trends and best practices and get advice from other auction planners.
7. Cause Camp Nonprofit Conference
This is an ideal conference for those who want a small group learning intensive. This fun two-day conference brings together great thought leaders and informative breakout sessions. It’s a quick way to hone your skills and immerse yourself in a collaborative learning environment.
8. SXSW Conference
This two-week conference in Austin, TX is designed around thought leadership of all kinds. Tap in for a day or a week. They have industry tracks in their conference along with three festivals running concurrently including a film festival, music festival and comedy festival.
9. NTEN – The Nonprofit Technology Conference
This three-day conference covers everything you can imagine about technology, safety, data, security, digital inclusion, fundraising and information technology for the nonprofit community. Beyond the conference, they offer trainings, sessions, webinars and workshops throughout the year.
10. Bloomerang Academy Free Classes
https://bloomerang.co/academy/
Bloomerang offers a series of learning opportunities with a team of fundraising and technology experts. Each workshop or webinar offers best practices and a deep dive into specific subject matter. The workshops are free to attend and bring to the stage some of the nation’s best coaches.
