Join us for an engaging and dynamic fundraising event designed to cater to all career stages with three tailored breakout tracks.

Newcomer Track
- Develop vital skills through sessions such as “Cultivating & Stewarding Supporters” and “The Art & Science of Asking.”
- Featured speakers: Nancy Renkes, Sue Rector, Jennifer VonKaenel & Anne Calder
Mid-Career Track
- Enhance your influence with sessions on “Collaborative Partnerships” and “Empowering Ambassadors.”
- Featured speakers: Mauricio Diaz, Becky Alpen, Marcie Ordaz, Hannah Howard & Courtney Thomas
Seasoned Track
- Delve into advanced strategies like “Managing Burnout,” “The Psychology of Giving,” and “AI & Tech Tools.”
- Featured Speakers: Linda Wastyn, Courtney Thomas & Amber Wood

Keynote Speaker: Courtney Thomas
Every Connection Matters: Identifying and leveraging the strengths of the team to connect more deeply with donors + the community
Courtney Thomas is the President & CEO of Newhouse, Kansas City's first domestic violence shelter, and Founder & CEO of Thrive 360. Courtney was named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Missouri, and she is also a Silver Stevie Award winner and Rising Star recipient. Courtney is a strategically wired visionary, complex problem solver, captivating public speaker, and dynamic people motivator. Her entrepreneurial approach, which leverages innovation to grow both people and businesses, has been the key ingredient to her successful career in business turnarounds.

Known as an innovative, empathetic disruptor, Courtney has transformed the customer + staff experience, delivered award-winning marketing campaigns, and unlocked new revenue opportunities for the animal welfare, veterinary medicine, leadership development, and social services industries since moving to Kansas City in 2002. As a true believer that magic lives inside of all of us, Courtney helps people and businesses discover their hidden potential and achieve it. She thrives in optimizing the strengths of people to amplify business + life outcomes and has dedicated herself to a life of service in Kansas City.

Breakfast & lunch provided!

Schedule:

8 - 8:45 AM - Breakfast & networking

8:45 - 9:00 AM - Welcome (all tracks)

9:00 - 10:00 AM - Breakout Session 1
*Newcomer: Supporters Come In All Shapes and Sizes | Sue Rector, Director of Development, CASI
*Midcareer & Seasoned: The Psychology of Giving | Linda Wastyn, President, Wastyn & Associates

10:00-10:15 AM - Break

10:15 - 11:00 AM - Breakout Session 2
*Newcomer: Cultivating & Stewarding | Jennifer VonKaenel, Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations at Western Illinois University & Anne Calder, Vice President of Development at Quad Cities Community Foundation
*Midcareer: Collaborative Partnerships: Enhancing Nonprofit Impact for Our Community | Becky Alpen, QC Outreach Coordinator, Women Lead Change, Mauricio Diaz, Executive Director, Dress for Success, Marcie Ordaz, Development & Program Manager, Lift Women's Foundation, Hannah Howard, Executive Director, Lead(h)er
*Seasoned: Managing Fundraiser Burnout | Courtney Thomas, CEO of Newhouse

11:05 - 11:50 PM - Breakout Session 3
*Newcomer: The Art & Science of Asking | Nancy Renkes, retired CEO of River Bend Food Bank & Nonprofit Navigator for DMW Design
*Midcareer: Empowering Ambassadors & Advocates to Tell your Story | Courtney Thomas, CEO of Newhouse
*Seasoned: AI & Tech Tools | Amber Wood, Vice President of Development & Communications, Empowering Abilities

11:50-12:00 PM - Break

12:00-1:00 PM - Networking Lunch & Roundtable Discussion (all tracks)

1:00- 2:00 PM - Keynote - Courtney Thomas: Every Connection Matters: Identifying and leveraging the strengths of the team to connect more deeply with donors + the community (all tracks)

AFP QC will be hosting a free networking social immediately following the event, details to follow!

Don’t miss this incredible chance to gain valuable knowledge and connect with professionals at every stage of their fundraising journey!

Breakfast & lunch provided!

Success in Fundraising is made possible by Moline Regional Community Foundation, Regional Development Authority, and Wastyn & Associates