Welcome to Thrive in 2025!

We are thrilled to bring together an incredible gathering of fundraising professionals, non-profit leaders, community partners, and funders for a day of inspiration, collaboration, and strategy. As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, this conference is designed to equip you with the tools, insights, and connections needed to not just sustain, but truly thrive in our ever-changing landscape.

You’ll engage with experts, participate in thought-provoking discussions, and gain actionable strategies to elevate your impact. Whether you come to explore new fundraising trends, strengthen partnerships, or find innovative ways to drive mission success, this event is your space to learn, connect, and grow.

📅 Date: Friday, May 30, 2025
📍 Location: UBCO Kelowna Campus

🎟 Conference Registration Fees 🎟

✅ $95 – AFP Members

🚀 $115 – Non-Members

📅 Secure your spot today!

It is important to us that this event remains accessible to all. If the cost presents a barrier to your participation, please contact us to discuss available support.

Conference Schedule

Keynote Speaker

Small Wins - Why Little Steps Are the Path to Big Rewards

🎤 Speaker: Hugh Culver

Hugh Culver’s Small Wins keynote is a fresh look at why we get stuck, the stories we tell ourselves, and how to get unstuck, moving forward, and reaching goals. The secret to success is small wins—the deceptively minor steps that can lead to surprisingly big achievements at work and in life.

📝 Key Takeaways:
✅ Overcoming procrastination
✅ Turning self-doubt into action
✅ The power of incremental progress

About Hugh Culver:

Hugh has been a professional whitewater guide, nationally ranked athlete, demonstration skier, climber, and an Ironman and marathon competitor. He has founded or co-founded and exited three businesses and presented to over 1,000 organizations. Hugh lives in Kelowna, BC, and is the co-founder of the No Small Thing Fund, which provides outdoor learning experiences for vulnerable youth.

Morning Breakout Sessions

1. Finding Philanthropy - Insights from the Inside Sponsored by Central Okanagan Foundation 🗣 Speakers: Donna Koch, Hugh Culver

Fundraising is about more than just securing donations—it’s about building meaningful relationships that inspire long-term impact. But what truly motivates a donor to give, stay engaged, and deepen their commitment?

In this unique workshop, you’ll hear from donors who went from philanthropy to creating a legacy of giving—their vision, journey, stumbles, and results.

Through engaging discussions and real-life donor insights, participants will:

• Learn what makes for a positive (or negative) giving experience
• Discover strategies to foster trust, appreciation, and long-term support
• Explore ways to personalize engagement and stewardship efforts
• Walk away with actionable ideas to strengthen donor relationships

This is your chance to step into the donor’s shoes and see philanthropy from their perspective. Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or new to donor engagement, this session will provide fresh insights to help you cultivate stronger, more impactful connections.

2. Leading with Heart and Data: Inclusive Leadership for Neurodivergent Teams and Donors 🗣 Speaker: Matteo Raine-Stewart

In today’s rapidly evolving nonprofit landscape, inclusive leadership isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a must-have. This interactive, scenario-based session invites fundraisers and nonprofit professionals to explore what it really means to lead neurodivergent teams and engage neurodivergent donors with respect, creativity, and care.

This session is rooted in the belief that everyone is a leader — regardless of title. Because leadership is a behavior, not a business card. Come ready to reflect, challenge assumptions, and leave with tools to foster connection, belonging, and impact across all your relationships.

📱 Bring your cell phones — we’ll be using live polling to spark real-time insights and group reflection. In this guilt-free, no blame, no shame safe(r) space, we’ll unpack emerging trends in inclusive leadership through stories, lived experiences, and practical strategies you can use immediately.

3. Go Fund Me 🗣 Speaker: Kim Cassar Torreggiani
📌 (Session details coming soon!)

4. Blended Gifts 🗣 Speaker: Grant Monck
📌 (Session details coming soon!)

Afternoon Breakout Sessions

1. Generosity X 🗣 Speaker: Matt Hussey
📌 (Session details coming soon!)

2. Leading with Heart and Data: Inclusive Leadership for Neurodivergent Teams and Donors 🗣 Speaker: Matteo Raine-Stewart
📌 Repeated session from the morning.

3. Topic Coming Soon 🗣 Speaker: Vincent Duckworth 
📌 Session details coming soon

4. Strength Finders 🗣 Speaker: Gaelene Askeland, Askeland Consulting

What if we focused on what’s right with people instead of what’s wrong? When engagement is low and anxieties are high, cross-functional nonprofit teams can reignite their energy and purpose through a strengths-based approach.

In this workshop, explore how CliftonStrengths helps teams:

• Recognize and appreciate each other’s unique talents
• Develop and intentionally apply their strengths
• Collaborate effectively to achieve their mission

Learn about the 34 talent themes, discover how to identify and cultivate your own strengths, and explore ways to support strengths development in others. Whether reaffirming your career path or considering a shift, a strengths-based focus can unlock potential—for individuals and organizations alike.

Final Session: Fireside Chat without the Fire

Let’s Talk About Trust (Based Philanthropy)

🎤 Speaker: Susan Byrom

🔥 Join us for an engaging and interactive fireside chat designed to break down barriers between funders and charities. We’ll explore the principles of Trust-Based Philanthropy and how working together can strengthen relationships, increase impact, and create more equitable partnerships.

 In this session, we will:

✅ Gain insights into the core values of Trust-Based Philanthropy, including transparency, mutual accountability, and power-sharing.

✅ Engage in open dialogue, peer learning, and collaborative problem-solving to address challenges in shifting towards trust-based approaches.

✅ Hear real-world experiences from both funders and nonprofit leaders on what works—and what doesn’t—when building trust.

✅ Identify actionable strategies to foster long-term, trust-centered relationships that drive meaningful change.

This is a unique opportunity for grant makers and nonprofits to learn from each other, break down traditional barriers, and co-create a culture of trust and shared success. Whether you are new to Trust-Based Philanthropy or already implementing its principles, this session will provide valuable takeaways to enhance your work.

About Susan Byrom:

Susan is the Executive Director of First West Foundation and brings nearly 20 years of experience leading community investment programs in British Columbia. She holds an MBA with a specialization in Non-Profit and Charitable Organization Management from Trinity Western University.

Social and Networking sponsored by RBC

We hope you will come and enjoy some appies and beverages following our mini conference. It is our chance to visit, connect, share and leave inspired from the day’s events. 

Upside Cidery 2555 Gale Road, Kelowna, BC V1V 2K2

Join Us!

🎯 Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and thrive alongside fellow nonprofit professionals, funders, and community leaders.