Fundraising professionals across Canada are navigating uncharted territory. Between economic uncertainty, rapid technological change, and shifting donor demographics, the familiar playbook is no longer enough. In this evolving landscape, one question looms large: how do we move from reaction to reinvention?
The Canadian National Fundraising Conference (CNFC), a one-day, national-scale event taking place October 23, 2025, in Toronto, is the perfect opportunity to reset, recharge, and realign.
What is CNFC?
This isn’t just another sector event. It is about making connections with the best thinking and practical tools, designed for the changing trends we are seeing in response to the economy, technological advances and changing demographics.
Designed with the needs of real-world fundraisers in mind, to tackle the most pressing sector challenges—from donor engagement and technology adoption to marketing in an age of skepticism and overload.
“This conference was built to equip the Canadian fundraisers facing these challenges with the skills, ideas and tools to thrive,” says Jim Hilborn, founder of The Hilborn Group and conference co-chair
The New Rules of Fundraising
This year’s theme, "The New Rules of Fundraising," is tailored for the people doing the real work: fundraisers, nonprofit marketers, and executive leaders who are ready to lead change, not just adapt to it.
The CNFC 2025 agenda is built around five session tracks, each reflecting a pillar of current and future fundraising practice in Canada. Sessions are designed to go beyond theory—delivering real strategies, tested tools, replicable ideas and connecting practitioners from across the sector.
Reimagining Fundraising: Strategy, Channels & Technology in Turbulent Times
Explore multi-channel integration, donor journeys, and how to shift strategy in the face of inflation, AI, and donor attrition. It’s where fundraising meets the future—ready or not.
National Voices
Fundraisers from across Canada—especially those in small or regional organizations—will share how they are adapting, succeeding and connecting with communities under pressure. Think practical, gritty, and deeply rooted in experience.
Traditional Media Matters
This track makes a strong case that direct mail, radio, television, and even print still matter for retaining and upgrading mid- and major-level donors. Experts will reveal how these tools are still an integral part of the marketing mix, how they complement digital marketing, what’s working, and how to scale it.
Membership Fundraising
Memberships are typically used by museums, galleries, and cultural organizations in the nonprofit sector, but the model is being adopted by more and more industries to drive revenue. Learn how the membership model can drive fundraising by offering targeted advice on loyalty, value exchange, and sustainable revenue models that come with memberships.
Science of Donors
These sessions spotlight tools and systems: segmentation models, donor scoring, geo-mapping, AI assistants, payment platforms, and app integrations. It’s an eye-opening look into how data is reshaping fundraising workflows.
“Whether you need to sharpen your strategic approach or implement new tools for donor acquisition and retention, the CNFC agenda has something built for you,” says Steve Lloyd, conference co-chair and president, Lloydmedia.
Three Keynote Speakers with Unique Perspectives on Fundraising
This year’s keynote speakers bring both academic depth and frontline insight, offering a dynamic mix of research, strategy, and practitioner experience.
Phil Nichols, CEO of the Toronto Humane Society, will present on how his organization is looking at systems change to redefine what is possible. Nichols and attendees will explore how a leading animal welfare organization is reshaping its mission to address both urgent animal needs and the human conditions that lead to crisis. Through strategic leadership, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration, Nichols and the Toronto Humane Society are challenging the traditional boundaries of animal welfare.
Rachel Hunnybun, Vice President, Donor Experience at Blakely and a leading voice in integrated campaigns and creative fundraising strategy, will engage attendees with her fresh perspective on donor experience as driving loyalty, amplifying messaging and fueling sustainable growth. Hunnybun challenges attendees to question the traditional boundaries of stewardship. Her mission: to reshape how donor experience is designed and place it at the core of an organization’s mindset
Russell James, PhD, a globally recognized expert in charitable giving and planned gifts, and professor at Texas Tech University, will walk us through the donor brain—literally. Using his expertise in neuroscience, behavioural economics and real-world data, James will share how he decoded the cognitive processes behind generosity and legacy decisions, helping fundraisers better connect messaging with mission.
Go Deeper: An Optional Half-Day Workshop
For those who want to go even further, keynote speaker Russel James, PhD, is facilitating a half-day workshop, based on his book The Socratic Fundraiser.
James will outline how successful major gifts come from asking the right questions. Based on his scientific and real-world applications of appreciative inquiry in asset-focused conversations, attendees will learn specific, stress-free questions to use throughout the donor relationship to unlock significant gifts of assets and a deeper understanding of major gift decision processes and plenty of real-world “magic” questions to try out right away.
A Community of Peers
While the CNFC is packed with content, it’s also a place to connect. Fundraisers and sector professionals from across the country will be attending—making the conference a hub for connection, shared wisdom and renewed energy.
On top of all that, registration comes with advertising space from sponsoring media outlets—a rare and valuable opportunity to promote your cause to a wider audience.
There’s no early-bird pricing trickery here. The value is built in.
If you register on behalf of a registered charity or nonprofit, you will receive complimentary ad space in the Canadian Giving Guide, while corporate delegates will be featured in Hilborn Charity eNews and Foundation Magazine.
Be part of the conversation that will shape the future of fundraising in Canada.
Presented by Foundation Magazine, Hilborn Charity eNews and Civil Sector Press. With lead sponsor Blakely Fundraising, session sponsors BNP Inspire, Next After, Canada Helps and workshop sponsor Keys Marketing.
