.png)
|
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM | Registration |
11:00 AM - 2:30 PM | Pre-Conference Sessions Start your ImpactED ’26 experience early with one of our exclusive pre-conference sessions! These three engaging sessions offer the chance to see innovation in action, connect with peers in an interactive setting, and gain practical insights to take back to your foundation. Each visit offers a distinct experience, and space is limited for each session—so reserve your spot and start of the conference with fresh ideas and lasting connections! Registration is separate and limited. Register Here |
4:15 PM - 4:45 PM | New Member/ 1st Time Attendee Meet and Greet |
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM | State Meet-Ups More information coming soon. |
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Opening Reception Location TBD. |
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM | Breakfast |
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Welcome |
| Talk to Me: Find the Right Words to Inspire, Encourage, and Get Things Done This presentation is for those who wish to improve their communication skills and rapport with others. Through the use of stories and scenarios, Kim will share 6 principles for effective communication that will empower participants to be considerate, yet strong; they will learn how to stand firm and still support others. Participants will leave with tools that will help them develop rapport, gain respect, support others, engage listeners, develop insight, and increase productivity. |
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Break / Refresher |
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Breakout Sessions |
| Topic Area: Organizational Leadership & Planning Presented by Alice Finley & Pam Glasgow The Upper Arlington Education Foundation (UA+E) and Bexley Education Foundation (BEF) both have annual long-standing fundraising events. In 2025, UA+Ed decided to pause their Golden Bear Bash event after 18 years. Before making the decision, they did a deep dive into the purpose(s) of the event through the years, historical data (ROI, attendance, growth of the organization), survey results from attendees, donors (cash and in-kind) and board members, and strategic priorities of the foundation. BEF has held its BRAVO! event for 20+ years and is experiencing similar challenges. They are considering next steps in making a similar decision. During this session, we will share the lifecycle of both events - identifying the goals, benefits (financial and other), challenges, and changes over time. When was the event at its peak and why - Finally, we will discuss the questions to ask, the data to gather, and alternatives to an annual fundraising event that would take less time, raise more annual dollars and further deepen relationships with donors. |
| Topic Area: Resource Development Breakout Session 102 - Stop the Sponsorship Rat Race: How Creating Annual Partners Benefits You and Your Sponsors Tired of chasing the same sponsors that every other local nonprofit is making asks to for multiple events each year? Guess what, they get tired of getting an ask every few months as well. Attend this session to learn how Dorchester Two Educational Foundation has simplified their sponsorships by creating unique Annual Partner packages. From proprietary ways to highlight each partner to incorporating new additions annually to ensure partners find value each year, this strategic process has decreased solicitation time, increased revenue, expanded partner exposure, and built long-term partner commitment. Spend less time chasing your sponsors for multiple events and more time having meaningful engagement and touch points. These tactics will ensure you reduce donor fatigue and standout like a hippo in a heard of hyenas next to other local nonprofits. This will be a PARTICIPATION based session. Please only come if you feel ready to laugh, jump, be competitive, and are not allergic to capybaras. |
| Topic Area: Board Development Breakout Session 103 - Harnessing the Collective Power of Your Board Presented by Robin Callahan, CEFL, CAP, CFRE When boards move beyond “approve and fund raise” to act as strategic partners, K–12 education foundations accelerate impact for students. This session translates board engagement from a good intention into a practical system—clarifying roles, aligning priorities, and activating trustees as governors, connectors, fundraisers, and advocates. We’ll share proven structures (simple charters, roles, and meeting design), quick diagnostics to spot engagement gaps, and low-lift ways to mobilize busy trustees between meetings. You’ll leave with a plan to focus your board’s energy where it matters most—advancing access to equitable opportunities for students. Attendees Will Learn To:
|
| Topic Area: Legal and Financial
Breakout Session 104 - The Impact of ESA Vouchers in AZ Schools and Implications for Other States The impact of ESA vouchers (Empowerment Scholarship Account) is being felt in a big way in Arizona. One year into this ‘experiment’, the voucher program has had widespread impact on our public schools. It is critical to understand how this all started, tracing the initiation and rapid expansion of vouchers and reviewing how Arizona voters weighed-in on these proposals. This presentation will review the details, facts and figures of the ESA vouchers and will share current data on how these vouchers are being used and abused, who is benefitting from them, and the negative impact to students. |
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Break / Refresher |
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Breakout Sessions |
| Topic Area: Marketing Presented by Kiersten Hill A great event is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a brand experience, a relationship builder, and a powerful moment to move people to action. In this fast-paced and idea-packed session, we’ll explore how to turn your event into a storytelling engine, a community connector, and a donor engagement magnet. From creating an unforgettable atmosphere to crafting a marketing strategy that spans email, direct mail, websites, and more, you’ll learn how to build an event that aligns with your organizational brand, inspires attendees, and strengthens long-term support. Whether your event is a gala, a walk, a breakfast, or something entirely new, you’ll leave with practical ideas and tools to elevate every stage of the event experience—from the first save-the-date to the final thank-you video. |
| Topic Area: Organizational Leadership & Planning Breakout Session 202 - Setting a Vision for Impact and Transformation In the ever-changing education space, where budgets are being slashed, the role of an Education Foundation becomes even more important for a school system to serve its students. To succeed, Foundations must reimagine their visions, missions, strategic plans, and how all of these connect to their branding, marketing, and fundraising. In this workshop-style presentation, we will explore how participants can set a vision, mission, and identify strategy priorities for their foundation, and then how best to tell their stories to funders. Participants will leave this session having learned from the experiences and shifts the Education Foundation of Anne Arundel County Public Schools has made over the last year, and walk away with tools and resources to enact their own change at home. |
| Topic Area: Programming
Breakout Session 203 - Grant Programs That Go Viral: How to Create Buzz, Build Community, and Fund Innovation Transform your education foundation's grant program into a community celebration that truly enriches teaching and inspires learning! The Seguin Education Foundation has developed an innovative approach that combines strategic fundraising, rigorous evaluation, and unforgettable award ceremonies to maximize impact. Our model begins with community-driven fundraising through signature events, uses diverse board committees and mission-aligned rubrics to ensure fair selection, and culminates in surprise campus visits featuring marching bands and oversized checks that create lasting memories for educators and students alike. This session will share our complete framework: from summer application launches and comprehensive campus outreach to administrative approval processes and sustainability requirements. Attendees will learn how to balance classroom ($1,500) and department-wide ($5,000) funding opportunities, create accountability through photo documentation and evaluation forms, and build community excitement that transforms grant recipients into program ambassadors. Walk away with actionable strategies to make your grant program both impactful and unforgettable. |
| Topic Area: Resource Development
Breakout Session 204 - Alumni in Action: How Two Foundations Are Turning Engagement into Impact You know alumni engagement matters—but how do you actually build it? In this breakout, two Executive Directors—Educate Fairfax, supporting Fairfax County Public Schools (VA), and Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation, supporting Lynwood Unified School District (CA)—share how they turned vision into action, creating scalable alumni programs that drive mission and funding. From building alumni data systems and branded websites to campaigns like trivia nights, Sweethearts storytelling, and alumni drives, they’ll reveal what worked, what didn’t, and strategies that unlocked giving, volunteering, and support. A highlight will be the Lynwood Alumni Center, a hub for networking, mentorship, career support, and engagement. Gain insights from national alumni survey data to strengthen your case with boards and donors. Leave with tools, inspiration, and a clear path to alumni engagement. |
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Lunch |
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM | Networking Game / Session More information coming soon. |
3:15 PM – 3:45
PM | Break / Refresher |
3:45 PM – 4:45 PM | Breakout Sessions |
 | Topic Area: Organizational Leadership & Planning Presented by Gail Rothman, CEFL When is the last time you took a good hard look at your foundation's mission and vision? Does your foundation have a value statement that tells your community about the culture and how you do business? Does your brand showcase your identity in a professional and consistent manner? This session will explore the components that make up your organization's identity and ensure that the good work you are doing is grounded in your mission and vision and articulated in your values and your brand identity. Understand the recipe for a great and compelling mission and vision. Get tips for bringing your board and staff together to codify your values and ensure that all of this is translated into your brand. |
| Topic Area: Board Development Breakout Session 302 - Building a Board that WORKS They are your bosses, but you have to train them in the best ways to serve the mission you both value. How to do that is a delicate dance involving gratitude, respect, clear communication, and mutual understanding of each's roles and responsibilities. Using ideas gleaned from decades in nonprofits and the goals of Standards of Excellence, participants will also learn how to take their board to the next level through recruitment and expectation management. Participants will practice those nuanced conversations, including how to usher a board member off the board. They will leave with concrete steps to take in taking their board from "token" to "all in!" Time for sharing best practices and biggest frustrations in a nonjudgmental space will be built in. |
| Topic Area: Marketing Breakout Session 303 - Building Trust Like Nike: Reimagining School Branding for Millennial & Gen Z Families In today’s fast-paced digital world, education foundations often struggle to connect with younger parents—Millennials and Gen Z—who expect the same level of branding and engagement they experience with companies like Nike or Amazon. This session will explore how education foundations and districts can reimagine their marketing approach by adopting modern branding strategies, leveraging authentic storytelling, and creating content that resonates with younger audiences on social media. Attendees will walk away with practical strategies to elevate their district or foundation’s image, strengthen parent trust, and increase engagement through branding that feels relevant, intentional, and human-centered. By thinking like a brand and not just an institution, foundations can build stronger connections and inspire deeper community investment. |
 | Topic Area: Programming Breakout Session 304 - Women's Giving Circle Grant Program This seminar presents the Millard Public Schools Foundation's Women's Giving Circle, a collaborative grant program launched four years ago that pools member donations to fund innovative educational projects. The program ends with an annual spring gathering where members evaluate three committee-selected proposals from educators seeking solutions for student and staff success. Through democratic voting, one project receives funding while surplus contributions build an Women's Giving Circle endowment fund. Outcomes: The presentation will detail program structure, membership growth trends, and measurable district impact from funded initiatives. Attendees will gain comprehensive understanding of implementation strategies, operational frameworks, and engagement models that have driven the circle's expansion and effectiveness. Value to Attendees: Participants will receive practical tools, templates, and best practices to establish similar giving circles at their own foundations, including member recruitment strategies, proposal evaluation processes, and sustainable funding models for educational innovation. |
4:45 PM – 6:00 PM | Free Time / Meet Ups Additional meet up opportunities will be available. Stay tuned for more information! |
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Reception Location TBD. |
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM | Breakfast |
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM | Welcome |
| The Future of Work:
AI, Teamwork, and Leadership Learn the forces transforming business today, the engagement employees need, and the leadership you must provide to succeed. Business is changing at breakneck speed, and it’s difficult to understand the forces and choose how to respond. The workforce has shifted – it’s shrinking – and there is greater competition for talent. Younger generations are demanding more from their employers or moving on. Some leaders want to cover their eyes and ears and ignore reality. But successful leaders know: This is the time for action! The solutions require us to stretch our minds, learn and implement new techniques, and engage our employees. We must create a strong workplace purpose that gives meaning to our employees. Our culture must be positive and inclusive. We need strong engagement, creating high-impact teams. And we must be sensitive to stress and mental health and their impact on our employees and the workplace. Finally, we discuss the actions individuals must take to be top tier leaders. We emphasize the importance of responsibility, why communicating your message is key, and how to create positivity in your life and at work. Finally, we delve into influence and persuasion, and how leaders can use these tools to succeed. The only way you can succeed in the future is to recognize the trends and ACT. Key Takeaways
Standing still is not an option! |
.png)
9:45 AM – 10:15 AM | Break / Refresher |
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM | Breakout Sessions |
| Topic Area: Marketing Presented by Barbara Raymond, MA What if you could run million-dollar fundraising campaigns—on a shoestring budget? You can. In this session, Barbara Raymond shows how nonprofits are reaching more people for more funding by adding AI tools to leapfrog their previous successes. Learn to craft narratives that show parents the real impact of their giving, secure local business sponsorships with tailored outreach, and increase donor visibility and satisfaction. Barbara shares practical strategies that can help education foundations not only keep up, but thrive. Audience Takeaways:
|
| Topic Area: Organizational Leadership & Planning Breakout Session 402 - Mapping Impact: A Strategic Approach to Program Evaluation This session explores how a Matrix Map can serve as a powerful, visual tool for education foundations to evaluate programmatic impact and sustainability. Presenters will share real-world applications from their own organizations—Hillsborough Education Foundation and Pinellas Education Foundations—to demonstrate how the framework promotes strategic decision-making, ensures mission alignment, and fosters productive dialogue with board members and key stakeholders. Attendees will leave with practical insights and templates to begin applying the Matrix Map to their own programs. |
| Topic Area: Organizational Leadership & Planning Breakout Session 403 - Academies of Anchorage: A Case Study for Surviving Changing Priorities Facing a $120 million budget deficit, declining graduation rates, outward migration, and $1 billion in deferred maintenance, the Anchorage School District pursued discretionary grant funding to drive educational transformation in one of the nation’s most diverse districts—securing a $15 million investment. After two years of successful implementation, investor priorities shifted. This presentation explores how ASD continues its transformation journey amid evolving funding and priorities. Key Learning Outcomes: (1) Managing change in divisive environments (2) Strategies for sustaining discretionary grant funding (3) Forecasting for effective change management Attendee Value: Gain insights into anticipating funding needs and aligning grant opportunities with long-term goals, especially during periods of significant transformation. |
 | Topic Area: Resource Development Breakout Session 404 - Cutting Through the Noise: What’s Working NOW to Spur Donor Engagement Join fundraising master trainer, Chad Barger, ACFRE, ACNP, for a workshop focused on proven ways to capture donor attention. We’ll look at the challenge of cutting through the noise in today’s daily communication onslaught and the importance of donor retention. Attendees will learn simple, actionable steps that they can take to boost donor engagement at their organization. Examples will be shared of creative ways that real life nonprofit organizations identified, cultivated, solicited and stewarded their donors (including some that had no budget for doing so). |
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM | Break / Refresher |
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM | Breakout Sessions |
| Topic Area: Marketing
Breakout Session 501 - Story First: Demystifying Marketing for Education Foundations Many education foundations struggle to attract support—not because their mission isn't worthy, but because their community doesn't fully understand it. In this session, Loudoun Education Foundation shares how shifting to a "story-first" mindset transformed its ability to engage donors, businesses, and partners. Attendees will learn a simple three-question framework to build compelling messages: Who is your audience? What do they need to believe to support you? Where will they encounter your message? Through real-world examples, we'll explore how to “play the hand you're dealt," leverage community assets, and thank supporters generously. Participants will leave with practical, low-cost strategies to make marketing less intimidating, storytelling more impactful, and recognition more powerful in sustaining long-term support. |
| Topic Area: Collaboration
Breakout Session 502 - Listening, Learning, Leading Balancing the needs of passionate stakeholders is one of the greatest challenges for Foundation leaders, particularly when directors serve both a school district and a foundation. Add in perspectives from parent-teacher organizations and booster clubs, and the picture becomes even more complicated. In this session, we'll explore a simple but powerful three-step framework for navigating priorities: listen, learn, then lead. Too often, directors skip straight to leading, but real progress comes from listening to understand stakeholders' needs, then learning the context and best ways to collaborate. With this foundation, leaders can guide groups toward solutions built on clarity, compassion, and shared goals. After reviewing a real-world case study, you'll walk away with practical strategies to align missions, strengthen relationships, and move forward together. |
| Topic Area: Organizational Leadership & Planning Breakout Session 503 - Creating a Staff Committee — What It Is and Why It Worked! We all have those “rock ideas”—the ones we’re passionate about, that align perfectly with our role, and that we nurture with the hope they’ll eventually catch fire and make a real impact. But sometimes, the best ideas are the ones that catch us by surprise. They start as a simple trial, a “let’s see what happens,” and before you know it, they’ve taken off like wildfire. Creating a staff committee was exactly that kind of idea—and it’s turned out to be one of the top five best initiatives we’ve launched at the BPSF since I started in my role. What Is a Staff Committee? Why Does It Work? Tailoring the Approach for Larger Districts Relationship-Building Is Key The Ripple Effect |
| Topic Area: Resource Development
Breakout Session 504 - Harnessing the Power of Team Fundraising: How Schools Are Raising More, Together Schools across the country are turning to team-based fundraising models to boost engagement, participation, and dollars raised. Whether it’s friendly “Change Wars” between grades, student-led team competitions, walks or runs, or alumni giving challenges, team fundraising has proven to not only raise more funds but also strengthen community pride and school spirit. This session will explore real-world examples of schools leveraging team fundraising to achieve record-breaking results. Attendees will learn:
Participants will leave with a toolkit to bring the power of collective giving into their own school fundraising programs. |
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Lunch |
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Roundtable Discussions |
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Break / Refresher |
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Breakout Sessions |
| Topic Area: Collaboration Breakout Session 601 - Power in Partnership: When Foundations and Districts Lead Together This dynamic session, co-presented by the Chandler Education Foundation Executive Director, Jen Hewitt and the Chandler Unified School District Superintendent, Frank Narducci, explores the transformative power of strategic collaboration between K–12 districts and their supporting foundations. Attendees will gain insight into how aligned partnerships drive student achievement, equity, and innovation through real-world examples and impact data. Participants will engage in a brief interactive exercise to identify opportunities for deepening collaboration in their own communities. By the end, attendees will walk away with practical ideas, proven strategies, and a renewed vision for how school foundations and districts can work hand-in-hand to amplify educational outcomes. Ideal for nonprofit leaders and board members seeking to maximize their district relationships and long-term impact. |
| Topic Area: Collaboration
Breakout Session 602 - Exploring A Collaborative Advocacy Model Our country’s public education system is facing an unprecedented assault. Advocates for public education from across the political spectrum are searching for effective advocacy strategies that can create the public and political will to support their community’s public schools in ways that enable every one of their students, teachers, and families to flourish. While individual foundations and other organizations are working tirelessly to support their schools, in this session the Arizona Educational Foundation, Arizona School Administrators, and Horace Mann League will explore a replicable collaborative advocacy model. We will consider how collectively implemented, mutually reinforcing advocacy strategies can help create the necessary public support and legislative policy for our public schools to not only survive, but thrive. This moderated panel discussion will be followed by active audience discussion and Q&A. |
| Topic Area: Programming Breakout Session 603 - The Power of Local Partnerships & Sustainable Relationships The Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) maintains that public education is a shared responsibility, integral to the health and prosperity of our communities. A recent partnership between AEF and Keep Arizona Beautiful, a Local First Arizona initiative, is focused on fostering strategic collaborations that recognize both public education and local enterprise as foundational pillars of thriving, resilient communities. Together, they are bridging sectors by connecting organizations, mobilizing resources, and engaging individuals to cultivate vibrant, sustainable communities. By fostering community support, local pride, and purpose, they are working to bring local communities together to champion public education, sustainability, and community growth across every demographic. This session will explore effective strategies for building partnerships with local organizations and identify innovative approaches to securing sustainable funding for educational initiatives. |
| Topic Area: Resource Development Breakout Session 604 - Grants for Education Foundations Education foundations face constant pressure to deliver compelling proposals with limited staff capacity. This session demonstrates how AI can serve as a writing partner—helping foundations draft stronger narratives, refine clarity, and adapt boilerplate for different funders. Participants will see how AI accelerates the writing process while preserving authenticity and mission, turning routine drafting into time for strategy. With practical demonstrations and field-tested examples, this session shows how to use AI responsibly to improve quality, save time, and ensure every proposal speaks with a consistent, persuasive voice. |
4:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Break / Refresher |
4:45 PM – 5:15 PM | CEFL Certification Ceremony |
5:15 PM – 5:45 PM | Exhibitor Giveaway & Closing Remarks |
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM | Closing Happy Hour Location TBD |
*All agenda items are subject to change.