8:30-9 a.m. – Pre-Conference Registration
9-11:30 a.m. – Pre-Conference Workshop: An Introduction to Annual Giving
Free Pre-Conference Monday Morning Workshop – Registration Required
SGA Room
Designed for both newcomers and seasoned professionals who want to strengthen their annual giving programs, participants will explore the art and science of annual giving, from storytelling and omni-channel strategies to data-driven decision-making and campaign planning. This pre-conference workshop is free with your conference registration, but workshop registration is required.
More information is here.
11:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m. – Lunch Break
Noon – Conference Registration and Sponsor Hall Open
1-2:00 p.m. – Opening Welcome and Conference Preview
Bob Burdenski, with Heather Junod, Associate Vice President, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving at the University of Central Florida, and the Conference Committee, Sponsors and Presenters
Ballrooms A and B
We will launch the 2026 Southeast Annual Giving Conference with a special welcome from Heather Junod, Associate Vice President, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving at the University of Central Florida, followed by a rapid-fire rundown of the great annual giving conference sessions and speakers to follow. We will also highlight our sponsors, our scholarship recipients, and maybe even you!
2-2:15 p.m. – Break
Refreshments in the sponsor foyer.
2:15-3:15 p.m. – Plenary Session: An Annual Giving Directors’ Forum
Above the Annual Giving Trees – An Advancement Leaders Forum
Harold Williams, Old Dominion University, (Moderator), Heather Junod, UCF, Andria Silva, Rollins College, and Skylar Beaver, The Out-of-Door Academy
Ballrooms A and B
Join a terrific panel of advancement leaders for a discussion of this year’s hot topics that impact us all, including:
✔ Emergency Education Fundraising
✔ Annual Giving Integrations in Advancement
✔ As Usual, AI
✔ Budget Challenges and the Impact on Annual Giving
✔ The Continuing Use of Alumni Giving Participation as a Metric
✔ What Else is Next For Annual Giving?
…and More.
3:15-3:45 p.m. – Break
Refreshments in the sponsor foyer
3:45-5 p.m. – Breakout Sessions
A Digital Fundraising Forum
Joe Nullet, Florida Atlantic University and Sadiki Perry, MS, Florida State University
Ballroom A
There’s more to digital fundraising than your giving day! Join a terrific team of hosts for a chat about all things digital fundraising. What’s actually working right now—and why? From email and social media to giving days, automation, personalization, and donor journeys, participants will explore practical strategies that drive engagement and inspire giving across online platforms. Come ready to discuss lessons learned, compare tools and tactics, and exchange ideas you can immediately apply to strengthen your digital fundraising results.
Behind the Magic: Building a Smarter Crowdfunding Program
Sharon Horinka, UNC Charlotte and Alex Echeveste, UTSA
Ballroom B
Crowdfunding can be a powerful way to engage new donors, support specific projects, and give faculty, staff, students, and volunteers a hands-on role in fundraising—but building a successful program takes more than launching a website. This session will explore how to create and grow a sustainable crowdfunding program, from identifying the right projects and recruiting campus partners to setting expectations, developing compelling stories, and promoting campaigns across multiple channels. We’ll discuss strategies for training project leaders, building internal support, establishing timelines and guidelines, and measuring success beyond dollars raised. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to strengthen an existing program, you’ll leave with practical ideas for making crowdfunding an effective part of your annual giving and donor engagement strategy.
An Independent Schools Fundraising Forum
Skylar Beaver, Out-of-Door Academy (Sarasota)
Ballroom C
Bring your questions, answers, challenges and solutions to this open discussion session on the unique opportunities and challenges facing fundraising programs at independent schools. From annual giving and parent participation to alumni engagement, stewardship, volunteer management and events, this session will encourage the sharing of ideas, lessons learned, and practical solutions. We’ll exchange successful strategies, discuss emerging trends, and collaborate on ways to strengthen donor relationships and build a culture of philanthropy within our school communities.
Direct Mail Still Delivers
Matt Sulzer & Sara Pond, MCR
SGA Room
Direct mail remains the primary driver of donors and dollars for most annual giving programs. Join MCR for an interactive session that explores classic best direct mail performers, as well as cutting-edge ideas to get your mail opened, read and churning results. Together we’ll dive into:
▪️Audience Styling – unique campaign packaging, creative marketing, as well as eye-popping designs and copy for your core segments
– Leadership
– Renewal/Retention
– Acquisition
▪️Priming & Timing – connect your message with other channel
– Giving Days
– Donor Journeys
▪️Ask Strategies – when, where and how much to ask
5:15 – 8 p.m. Special Event – Opening Reception
Opening Conference Reception
Fairwinds Alumni Center
Join your conference attendees for an evening of networking, food, drinks, music and… karaoke! Either outside on the Fairwinds Alumni Center patio, or in the Karaoke Ballroom, we’ll have complimentary drinks, nibbles and entertainment, compliments of MCR.