Marketing & Fundraising Strategy Summit

join us Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026

FAQ

What is the Marketing and Fundraising Strategy Summit, and who should attend?
We have an amazing agenda featuring experts in nonprofit marketing, communications, and fundraising that are excited to support community and faith-based clinics and programs! CEOs, EDs, Development and Marketing Team members are encouraged to attend!

Is there a fee?
Yes - there is a small, flat fee per organization. The virtual summit link & a calendar invite will be provided to the registration email as well as any additional emails from the same organization that are provided during registration.
TCCN Members: $25
General Admission: $35

Will the event be recorded?
Yes! You have access to both the live event as well as recordings!

What's the agenda?
We have six sessions planned, divided into two concurrent tracks - Marketing & Communications or Fundraising
Schedule (all times CST):
10am – Welcome
10:15-11:05 – Session One –
Marketing & Communications Track:
Words That Work: Creating Clear Messaging to Raise Awareness and Drive Support - Chorus
Fundraising Track:
Making the Ask and Getting a Yes – The Curtis Group
11:10-12:00 – Session Two –
Marketing & Communications Track:
Marketing 101: The Basics for Promoting Your Brand and Services – Danny Fell
Fundraising Track:
Engaging Your Board as Fundraising Champions – Lighthouse Counsel
12:00 – 12:45 Lunch Break
12:45 - 12:55 Regroup
12:55 - 1:45 - Session Three -
Marketing & Communications Track:
From Zoomers to Boomers: Data-Backed Strategies to Engage Donors of All Ages – Bloomerang
Fundraising Track:
REAL Conversations with Major Donors – The Curtis Group
1:45-2:00pm Wrap Up

Session Descriptions – Fundraising Track:
REAL Conversations with Major Donors – Curtis Group
Major gifts start with real relationships — and that means having genuine, two-way conversations that go beyond transactions or talking points. This session will equip nonprofit leaders with practical tools and confidence to engage donors meaningfully, whether over coffee or at a cultivation event. Participants will learn how to ask the right questions, listen for donor motivation, and tailor follow-up that deepens commitment. We’ll share conversation frameworks, sample dialogue openers, and proven strategies to move prospects from interest to investment — all while staying authentic and mission-focused.
Engaging Your Board as Fundraising Champions – Lighthouse Counsel
This session equips board members and organizational leaders with practical strategies to turn board members’ passion for your mission into meaningful fundraising action. Drawing from decades of experience guiding boards of healthcare and other mission-driven organizations, we will share proven approaches for building confidence, clarifying roles, and creating a culture of joyful giving and asking. Participants will learn how to move beyond “fundraising reluctance” to authentic advocacy that strengthens donor relationships and ensures sustainability for charitable clinics across Tennessee.
Making the Ask and Getting a Yes - Curtis Group
Few moments in fundraising feel as intimidating — or as rewarding — as asking for a gift. This session breaks down the art and science of “the ask” into actionable steps that anyone can master. Participants will learn how to prepare for a successful solicitation, read donor cues, and confidently navigate key moments in the conversation. We’ll explore timing, phrasing, and follow-up strategies drawn from hundreds of real-life solicitations, so attendees leave ready to make their next ask with clarity, confidence, and genuine enthusiasm for their mission.

Session Descriptions – Marketing & Communications Track:
Words That Work – Chorus
Learn how to craft clear, consistent messaging to raise awareness and drive donor support - including a template messaging framework, as well as a hands-on activity for participants to develop their own "onliness" statement (aka their unique value proposition).
Marketing 101 – The Basics for Promoting Your Brand and Services – Danny Fell
Whether you have a marketing department or are just starting the journey to promoting your brand, understanding the basics of marketing principles and communications strategies can make a world of difference in terms of awareness, patient acquisition and financial support. This session will cover the ABC’s of a good marketing program and what you need to know to elevate your customer experiences.
From Zoomers to Boomers: Data-Backed Strategies to Engage Donors of All Ages – Bloomerang
Have you ever wondered how your organization’s fundraising efforts relate to your constituents from different generations? Odds are your Gen Z and Baby Boomer donors are learning about and engaging with your nonprofit in very different ways. Your organization’s outreach should be optimized through a generational lens to ensure the right audience is being reached with the right message. In this session, you’ll learn how to lead your development team to unlock hidden potential with your donors based on generational giving trends. In a 2024 Generational Giving Report, over 1,000 donors of all ages were asked how they discover nonprofits to support, how they stay connected to those nonprofits, their fundraising event habits, donor retention preferences, and more! Join us for a deep dive into some of the report's findings, including tactics to inspire your team as they engage with donors across generations.

Other Questions?
Reach out to Mattie at [email protected]