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2023 Bridge Conference Track Descriptions

Track 1 | Analytics, Data & Strategy
Analytics and data are the key to amplifying your fundraising! Whether it is data lakes, using neuroscience, effective attribution or artificial intelligence, you will walk away from these sessions knowing how to use the latest in data and analytics to supercharge the lifetime value of your donors. Our panel of experts will share with you their secrets to success with best practice recommendations, tactics and resources.

Track 2 | Cost Management Strategies
We’re all feeling the pain at the gas pump and the grocery store with nonstop price increases – and fundraising costs are unfortunately no exception! In this brand new track, discover ways to make your dollars go even further to help optimize your bottom line. Is the cost of testing worth it?  Are digital or video expenses worth the investment? How are nonprofits managing board and executive level expectations? Your time is well spent in these innovative sessions!

Track 3 | Major Gifts & DAF
Major gifts – every organization wants them. Learn to build meaningful relationships with potential benefactors, strategize effective cultivation plans, and understand their philanthropic motivations. Discover trends and tactics to secure donor-advised fund contributions.

Track 4 |Digital
Digital is so much more than an email or two sent around a mail date. In an ever changing world of technology and newly emerging channels – this track will help amplify your expertise regardless of how many years you’ve been in the industry.    

Track 5 | Renewal/Retention Donor Engagement (Thursday only)
Many nonprofits benefited from the influx of new donors during the pandemic. But how do you retain these new COVID supporters in a post-pandemic world? Can the subscription-style mentality convert donors into annual or even monthly sustainers? This track is designed to help you with the strategies needed to engage and retain donors at a time when retention has never been more important!

Track 5 | Telefundraising (Friday only)
Everything old is new again – including using the phone to reach out to your constituents! Walk away from these sessions with the best practices – and the confidence – to start your own texting program. See how the power of a phone call still can strengthen your relationship with a donor.    

Track 6 | Creative (Thursday only)
If you need to intensify your creative, then this is the place to be! The expert presenters we have lined up for the Creative Track all have great stories to tell that will inspire you in how to craft and improve your story telling. They share ideas to from the simple to the complex… from optimizing your donation form design… to the graphics and colors that you use. You’ll walk away from these sessions with a laundry list of ideas to try out right away, in a variety of channels!

Track 6 | Direct Mail (Friday only)
There seems to be a new channel emerging all the time. Yet direct mail is still how the vast majority of donors prefer to communicate with their wallet. In these sessions, you will learn how to balance best practices against ongoing market changes and understand which pattens of language drive fundraising success in the mail. 

Track 7 | Acquisition (Thursday only)
The pandemic is over. People are no longer bored at home, reading their mail to pass the time. And inflation has skyrocketed. All of these factors have made it more challenging than ever to acquire new donors! Our Acquisition Track will cover the basics of data hygiene to canvassing for new donors on the street and everything in between. These insightful and innovative sessions will showcase for you the best acquisition techniques our industry has to offer to keep your donor pipeline active and growing.   

Track 7 Mid-Level (Friday only)
Who are your mid-level donors? How do you communicate with them? Whatever you do, you can’t ignore them! They could be your next major gift donor! You need to have a strategy for communicating with your mid-level donors and this is the track that will lead you on the path of success to do just that!

Track 8 | Planned Giving
Reaching planned giving donors is an effective way to achieve long-term, sustainable fundraising success. By leveraging a combination of direct mail and digital outreach, along with creative and blended gift vehicles, you can receive substantial support for your organization's mission.

Track 8 | Capital Campaigns
From conducting a feasibility study, writing a case for support, communicating through the various stages of a capital campaign, and ongoing campaign management, capital campaigns are likely the most significant fundraising efforts your organization will undertake.

Track 9 | Inclusion Diversity Equity Access
IDEA is an important framework to promote social justice and strive for a more equitable society. Learn about examples and practical ways to build an inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their fullest potential.

Track 10 | Advanced Track
This track is for those in fundraising with 10+ years’ experience. As a leader, are you following your organization’s strategic plan? Are you keeping up with the best practices to ensure the sustainability of your organization? How well are your development departments and marketing departments communicating? What tools are being used to build the culture in your organization? Attend the Advanced Executive Track sessions and get the answers you need and more!

Track 11 | Faith & Fundraising | Sessions curated by The Nonprofit Alliance Catholic Development Council
Faith-based fundraisers raise more each year than all other sectors, with nearly $130 billion in donations from U.S. donors. Yet, religious organizations face unique challenges, from cancellation of crucial in-person connections to aligning mission and messaging in the face of complex social injustices. This track, curated by TNPA’s Catholic Development Council, will showcase for you ways to amplify your thinking and approaches coming from the world of faith-based philanthropy. You’ll leave with techniques, insights and inspiration for your fundraising plans.

Track 12 | BridgeTECH | Sessions curated by NAPCO Media
This track is designed specifically for the technologist! Fundraisers and marketers lean on the technologists to make their digital fundraising work! In these sessions, technologists will be able to refine skills and strategies and learn about new technologies and how they can help support nonprofit organizations in their fundraising, as well as their outreach to donors.

Track 13 | Professional Development | Sessions curated by The Nonprofit Alliance
Mid-level managers and rising leaders are quickly gaining fundraising and marketing expertise, yet there are many other aspects of your professional life that will fuel your success. Intersperse your fundraising skill-building sessions with these interactive workshops that will help boost you to the next stage in your career. These sessions were incredibly popular in 2022!