Four Conversations Designed to Challenge, Inspire, and Move Your Foundation Forward.
The landscape for public education is changing rapidly and foundation leaders are being called on to do more than raise funds. Today's strongest foundations are building community power, developing future leaders, embracing new technology, and creating sustainable organizations that can thrive through change.
Foundations Forward is a two-day virtual forum designed to give education foundation leaders fresh ideas, practical strategies, and tools you can put into action right away. Over four engaging sessions, you'll hear from innovative leaders who are tackling some of the biggest opportunities facing our field from influencing public policy and developing the next generation of leaders to leveraging AI and preventing leadership burnout.
Session 1
Wednesday, October 21st
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM CST | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM MST |9:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST
From the Classroom to the Capital: How Education Foundations Can Lead Advocacy That Changes Policy
presented by Manny Barbara, Interim CEO, Silicon Valley Education Foundation
What does it look like when an education foundation stops waiting for policy to change and starts helping shape it? At Silicon Valley Education Foundation (SV[e]F), Silicon Valley's largest education nonprofit, that question led to a seat at the table on SCA 5, the Education Equalization Act, co-sponsored alongside CA Senator Dave Cortese to ensure zip code no longer determines a student's opportunity.
In this session, SV[e]F’s Interim CEO, Manny Barbara, will share how foundation leaders can build the internal infrastructure, community coalitions, and communications strategy needed to move from program delivery to policy influence. Attendees will leave with a framework for identifying advocacy entry points, activating stakeholder networks, and using storytelling to make equity arguments that resonate with legislators, donors, and the public alike.
Project 2035: How is Your Programming and Funding Creating the Next Generation of Education Leaders?
presented by Copland Rudolph, Executive Director, Asheville City Schools Foundation
Join us in an experiential exploration of the role public school foundations can play in creating future public school leaders. Asheville City Schools Foundation's DREAM ( Dedicated, Responsible, Enthusiastic, After-school Mentors) and REAP (Racial Equity Ambassador Program) high school students will lead this session on best practices for creating an innovative, intentional leadership continuum. ACSF funding and programming act as conduits for equity work at a time when the NC state legislature is strategically blocking equity efforts through cuts to K-16 public education and the federal Department of Education is being dismantled. As political attacks against embracing diversity increase, ACSF is in a strong place to keep the work of creating global citizens and future community leaders moving forward. Attendees will leave with clear examples of best practices learned through ACSF trial and error and with an evolving vision for their own organization.
Session 2
Thursday, October 22nd
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM CST | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM MST |12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PST
Leveraging AI in Fundraising: Practical Tools for School Development Teams
presented by John Campbell, CFRE & Dalton Cargo, FundEd Strategies
In this presentation, we will demystify the power of generative AI and show how it can be a game changer for public school fundraising teams. With limited time, staff, and budgets, many development teams are overwhelmed, but AI can offer strategic leverage for everyday tasks like donor outreach, grant proposal drafting, and case statement development.
Through a mix of live demonstrations and collaborative prompt building, participants will explore real use cases that are practical, accessible, and tailored for the unique context of public schools. You will see AI-generated content created in real time, helping you understand not just what these tools can do, but how to use them effectively.
Attendees will contribute to building a shared prompt bank of fundraising use cases, learn how to refine AI outputs for voice and mission alignment, and leave with a mini toolkit that includes starter prompts, ethical guardrails, and recommended tools, all designed for immediate use.
Whether you are a one person shop, a school leader responsible for development, or part of a growing fundraising team, this session will equip you with the skills and confidence to integrate AI thoughtfully into your fundraising workflow.
Burnout to Balance: Leadership Strategies for Emotional Wellness in Education Foundations
presented by Njideka Olatunde, ND, PhD, MSW, CRI, Focus On Healing Wellness Institute
Educational leaders are often expected to lead effectively while operating under constant stress, emotional exhaustion, and increasing demands. This presentation explores how emotional wellness and mindset awareness directly impact leadership performance, communication, decision-making, and organizational culture. Participants will gain insight into recognizing burnout signals before they become barriers to productivity and collaboration. The session introduces holistic wellness approaches that support sustainable leadership practices, healthier workplace environments, and improved staff engagement. Attendees will learn practical techniques for reducing stress, improving resilience, and fostering emotionally supportive organizational cultures within education foundations and school systems. Outcomes include strategies for leadership wellness planning, communication enhancement, and creating intentional spaces that support both personal and professional well-being. This presentation empowers education leaders to lead with clarity, compassion, and sustainability.
Registration
Member - $199
Non-member - $299
