Day of Education

Save the Date

for the Day of Education

Thursday, June 4, 2026 

8:30am – 3:30pm
Daemen University
4380 Main Street, Buffalo NY 14226

Get ready to immerse yourself in a dynamic day full of knowledge-sharing, learning, collaboration, and unparalleled networking opportunities with professionals from nonprofit organizations throughout Western New York.

Agenda Highlights:

  • -            3 distinct educational tracks with a nationally-renowned facilitator and expert
  • -            Lunch with networking time
  • -            Access to vendors who understand the complex needs of nonprofit organizations
  • -            Happy Hour

 

Educational Tracks (Choose 1, Space is Limited!)

1. The Fundraising Flywheel, with Michael Mitchell, Co-Founder and CEO of The Fundraising Academy

The Fundraising Flywheel is a 5-step framework to help donors become an important part of the team and improve your fundraising. The flywheel is simply a way of codifying the fundamentals of fundraising done well, and participants in this track will leave with a concrete plan to help them either launch new fundraising ideas for their organizations or improve upon what they are already doing.

2. Beyond “Just Pick Up the Phone”: A Smarter Approach to Donor Relationships, with Colton Withers, Director of Operations, Consultant and Strategist at the Donor Relations Group

Strong donor relations work is the key to unlocking the potential of fundraising for your organization.  But all too often, there is no manual on how to approach donors, when to do this, or even what touch points are appropriate in certain situations.  Everyone is always told to simply “just pick up the phone!” but it is sometimes easier said than done.  In this track, participants will examine each step of the donor relationship journey through the lens of DRG’s proven concepts and examples.  At the end, participants will come away with new strategies on how to approach their donors and make them truly feel the impact of the work they are supporting.   

3. Turning Awkward Moments into Authentic Board and Volunteer Philanthropy, with David Phillips, Principal at Immersive 1st

Engaging board members and volunteers in philanthropy can feel awkward, especially when fundraising isn’t their comfort zone. This track explores practical, relationship-driven ways to involve boards and volunteers in meaningful philanthropic activities without forcing them into “the ask.” Participants will learn how to build confidence, clarify roles, and create authentic opportunities for engagement that strengthen donor relationships and advance the mission. 

REGISTER NOW!

Our Presenters:

Michael Mitchell

Michael Mitchell is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Fundraising Academy, helping fundraisers build the systems, skills, and confidence to raise more money with less stress. Before going full-time in the Academy this year, he was a frontline fundraiser for more than 20 years, most recently as Vice President of Advancement at the second largest independent food bank in the US. Since 2020, he's trained and coached more than 250 fundraising leaders and currently serves as President of AFP Central Oklahoma. The best decision he ever made was marrying his high school sweetheart 23 years ago. Together, they have three kids between the ages of 9 and 15, which means they're basically running a taxi service. A serial collector of hobbies, he's currently into roasting coffee, backyard birding, and is on a lifelong quest to create the perfect Spotify playlist … a pursuit his family mostly tolerates with patient amusement.

Colton Withers

Colton Withers believes great donor relations isn’t just about saying “thank you”—it’s about creating meaningful connections that inspire generosity.  At The Donor Relations Group, he helps nonprofit organizations design and deliver donor relations strategies that drive fundraising success. Known for making complex ideas easy to understand, Colton ensures attendees leave his presentations with practical knowledge and clear steps for implementation.  Before joining The Donor Relations Group, Colton served as the Associate Director of Purdue Musical Organizations (PMO), leading its external relations team in donor relations, communications and marketing, and operations. He first discovered his passion for donor relations as PMO’s Director of Development, where nearly every major gift visit started with a donor relations question!  A lifelong supporter of the performing arts, Colton believes that music—like philanthropy—has the power to bring people together in extraordinary ways. While at Purdue University, he performed with the world-famous Purdue Varsity Glee Club and, in 2023, became the 71st member inducted into its Hall of Fame. Colton received his master’s degree from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and proudly maintains a Certified Fund Raising Executive credential.

David Phillips

With 35+ years of experience primarily focused in the immersive sector, David is a respected voice and thought-leader, with a track record of impressive results. His ability to diagnose problems & identify opportunities, create time and resource sensitive solutions and then operationalize the process has been the linchpin of a successful career.  Engagements include day & overnight camps, college campuses, schools, retreat and conference providers, community centers, churches, synagogues, private & corporate foundations and athletic associations. Clients gravitate towards his approach which is smart, fair, honest and efficient.  He is proof positive that active listening, knowledge, passion and striving for excellence can result in extraordinary outcomes. Along with his trademark (British) sense of humor, David brings a relaxed, nonetheless focused, approach to even the most complex issues.  In all endeavors his belief in people as positive change agents for community has remained constant.  As a consultant his motivation remains to engage with good people while doing important things that make a difference to the lives of others.

KK

  

 Thank you to our Sponsors:

Interested in becoming a Day of Education Sponsor? 

CLICK HERE for our packages. Please contact afpwny@afpwnychapter.org for more information!

Questions? 

Contact AFP WNY VP of Professional Development, Alex Eadie, and/or conference co-chair Emily Hockwater at afpwny.profdev@gmail.com