As philanthropy continues to evolve, today’s fundraisers must grow as leaders, learners, and strategic partners. The Evolving Fundraiser centers on professional development, leadership readiness, and lifelong excellence in the fundraising profession.
Designed with CFRE expectations in mind, this two-day conference will equip fundraisers at every career stage with practical guidance for managing teams, partnering effectively with boards and executives, and building resilient, future-ready careers in philanthropy. Through engaging plenary sessions, interactive workshops, and peer learning, attendees will explore the skills, strategies, and ethical frameworks needed to lead with confidence in a changing philanthropic landscape.
About the Conference
featured Speakers
We’re excited to announce that we have secured Vu Le as our Wednesday morning keynote speaker and Dr. Russell James as a featured speaker.
Vu Le
Vu Le writes the blog nonprofitAF.com, which details the humor and frustration of nonprofit work. He is a vegan, Pisces, seitan-worshipper, and defender of the Oxford Comma. Vu has over two decades of experience in the sector, including 13 years as an executive director across two nonprofits. He is one of the co-founders of the Community-Centric Fundraising movement. Vu has written a new book called “Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy: Unlocking the Full Potential of a Vital and Complex Sector,” which his 9-year-old said, “Is not as boring as I thought it would be.” In his free time, Vu hangs out with his kids, watches TV shows and movies, and eats way too much dark chocolate. He has a BA in psychology and a Master of Social Work, which disappoints all his relatives.
Russell James III, J.D., Ph.D., CFP
Through his Deep Dive session, You’re in the will. Now what?, attendees will gain practical, research-informed strategies to strengthen legacy commitments and leverage those relationships to grow both major and annual giving.
Russell James, J.D., Ph.D., CFP® is a professor in the School of Financial Planning at Texas Tech University where he directs the graduate program in Charitable Financial Planning (planned giving). He graduated, cum laude, from the University of Missouri School of Law where he was a member of the Missouri Law Review and received the United Missouri Bank Award for Most Outstanding Work in Gift and Estate Taxation and Planning. He also holds a Ph.D. in consumer economics from the University of Missouri, where his dissertation was on charitable giving. He is as an Honorary Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estates Counsel (ACTEC) and a member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners Hall of Fame.
Who Should Attend
The Gateway for Philanthropy Conference is designed for:
- Fundraising professionals at all career stages
- CFREs and CFRE candidates
- Development leaders and managers
- Emerging leaders seeking professional growth
- Executives and board partners invested in fundraising excellence
What to expect
- Two full days of professional development and networking
- Sessions aligned with CFRE Knowledge Domains
- Practical tools and real-world insights you can apply immediately
- Content focused on leadership, ethics, strategy, and sustainability
- Opportunities to connect with peers across sectors and experience levels
Conference Topics May Include
- Leadership development and career pathways
- Ethical fundraising and donor-centered practice
- Managing and leading high-performing teams
- Board and executive partnerships
- Strategic planning and organizational impact
- Stewardship, sustainability, and long-term donor engagement
- Emerging trends and best practices in philanthropy
Registration Information
Conference Pricing
| AFP Member | $265 |
| Nonmember | $310 |
| Students | $89 |
| Group Rate | $2,500 |
Planning to attend as a team? Organizations registering 10 or more individuals are eligible for our group rate. To qualify for the group rate:
- All participants must be from the same organization.
- Registrations must be submitted together as one group.
- This discounted rate is exclusively for individuals affiliated with your organization only and cannot be combined with attendees from other organizations to meet the 10-person minimum.
Have a larger group? No problem—there’s no upper limit! We’re happy to work with you to make the registration process smooth and efficient for bigger teams. Contact us at [email protected] for more information.
CFRE Continuing Education
The Gateway for Philanthropy Conference is designed to offer sessions eligible for CFRE Continuing Education credit, supporting fundraisers committed to professional excellence and ongoing learning.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Conference sponsorship provides meaningful visibility with fundraising professionals across the St. Louis region and demonstrates a commitment to professional excellence, ethical philanthropy, and leadership development within the nonprofit sector.
Conference SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION sponsorship commitment form
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