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Canada’s conference with a heart!
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Thursday, June 12
 

7:30am MDT

Registration | generously sponsored by DonorPerfect
Thursday June 12, 2025 7:30am - 8:15am MDT
Thursday June 12, 2025 7:30am - 8:15am MDT

7:30am MDT

Breakfast
Thursday June 12, 2025 7:30am - 8:15am MDT
Thursday June 12, 2025 7:30am - 8:15am MDT

7:45am MDT

CanadaHelps 2025 Giving Report Highlights: Exclusive Pre-Conference Session with CEO Duke Chang
Get an exclusive look at the CanadaHelps 2025 Giving Report, straight from the CEO himself, Duke Chang.
This special 15-minute session offers an exciting opportunity to hear firsthand the most important findings from this highly anticipated annual report—an essential resource for fundraisers across the country. 
It’s a western Canada first and the perfect way to kick off your experience at the 10th annual Western Canada Fundraising Conference.
This session is an absolute must for those who won't be able to attend the full breakout session later in the day but want to stay ahead of the trends shaping the future of philanthropy.
Don't miss this exciting preview!
Speakers
avatar for Duke Chang

Duke Chang

President and Chief Executive Officer, CanadaHelps
Duke Chang is the President and Chief Executive Officer of CanadaHelps, the country's largest online platform for donating and fundraising. Duke is leading CanadaHelps' efforts to transform how Canadians support charities, ensuring organizations of all sizes can thrive in a digital-first... Read More →
Thursday June 12, 2025 7:45am - 8:00am MDT
The WCFC Heart, Event Centre 119 ABC

8:15am MDT

Welcome and WCFC Opening
Speakers
avatar for David Kravinchuk

David Kravinchuk

Philanthropy Firebrand, The Common Good fundraising agency
I firmly believe philanthropy's power belongs to everyone. So, I spend my days helping donors-next-door achieve their dream of building a better future.I'm thrilled to work with clients across Canada and internationally, inspiring donors to unleash their desire for meaningful change... Read More →
avatar for Sam Laprade, CFRE

Sam Laprade, CFRE

Marketing Director, Gryphon Fundraising
Sam Laprade, CFRESam loves to connect people! As an award-winning radio broadcaster, author and professional fundraiser Sam works closely with the community to give a voice to new ideas, tough topics, and philanthropy.Sam’s extensive experience, for over three decades, in media... Read More →
Thursday June 12, 2025 8:15am - 8:30am MDT
The WCFC Heart, Event Centre 119 ABC

8:30am MDT

Dr. Cindy Blackstock Keynote | The Simone Joyaux Memorial Opening Keynote | generously sponsored by GiveWise
More info coming soon

Speakers
avatar for Cindy Blackstock, PhD

Cindy Blackstock, PhD

Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society
A member of the Gitxsan First Nation, Cindy is honoured to serve as the Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and a professor at McGill University’s School of Social Work. She has over 30 years of experience working in child welfare and Indigenous... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
The WCFC Heart, Event Centre 119 ABC

9:30am MDT

9:55am MDT

B1-1: Tony Myers Major Gifts/Capital Campaign Panel
more info to come
Moderators
avatar for J.A. Tony Myers PhD, MA, LLB, CFRE (Ret’d)

J.A. Tony Myers PhD, MA, LLB, CFRE (Ret’d)

Chair & CEO
Tony is a passionate enthusiast, fundraiser, consultant, strategist, author, speaker and coach who loves to raise money and help others to do the same.He has acquired a lifetime of experience working on five continents with organizations undergoing change. His skills in major donor... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Morrel Wax

Morrel Wax

Vice President of Philanthropy and Stakeholder Relations, Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation (RAHF)
Morrel is Vice President of Philanthropy and Stakeholder Relations at the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation (RAHF) (the province's busiest inner-city hospital) in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He led the team that helped the organization reach historical achievement five years in a... Read More →
avatar for Sue McCoy, MA, CFRE

Sue McCoy, MA, CFRE

Vice-president, Philanthropy, Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation
Sue McCoy is a highly skilled development professional and has worked for a variety of nonprofit organizations over the past 25 years.Currently, Sue is employed as VP of Philanthropy with the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation, one of Canada's largest children's hospital foundations... Read More →
avatar for Emma Lewzey

Emma Lewzey

Founder and CEO, Blue Sky Philanthropy
Emma Lewzey is an award-winning fundraiser, trainer and coach with 25 years of fundraising and nonprofit leadership experience. She launched her career in major gift fundraising in 2002 when she managed her first capital campaign for Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQ+ Community Centre.Emma... Read More →
Thursday June 12, 2025 9:55am - 10:55am MDT
The WCFC Heart, Event Centre 119 ABC

9:55am MDT

B1-2: Harvey McKinnon Monthly Giving Breakout
More info soon

Speakers
avatar for Harvey McKinnon

Harvey McKinnon

President, Harvey McKinnon Associates
Harvey McKinnon has been a fundraiser for over 40 years and is recognized as one of North America’s leading fundraising experts.His consultancy raises money for hundreds of non-profits in Canada and the USA. He is a seasoned trainer who has delivered fundraising keynotes at conferences... Read More →
Thursday June 12, 2025 9:55am - 10:55am MDT
Room 416 - 4th Floor

9:55am MDT

B1-3: Online wills and legacy marketing
more info to come
Speakers
avatar for Daniel Goldgut

Daniel Goldgut

Co-Founder & CEO, Epilogue
Daniel Goldgut is the Co-Founder and CEO of Epilogue Wills, Canada’s leading online estate planning platform. A former tax and estate planning lawyer, Daniel recognized the need for a simpler, more accessible way for Canadians to create Wills and Powers of Attorney. In 2019, he... Read More →
Thursday June 12, 2025 9:55am - 10:55am MDT
Room 430 - 4th Floor

9:55am MDT

C1-1: The Treasure Hidden in Your Donor Data: Your Map to Discover Gems and Boost Fundraising | Fundraising Clinic Part 1 + 2
Ever feel like your donor database is a treasure chest just waiting to be unlocked?

Well, it is—if you know where to dig.

Join Sam Laprade, CFRE, Canada’s most trusted donor data analytics expert, and Ben Mohler, ACFRE, one of America's top authorities on turning donor data insights into fundraising success.  This high-energy, practical session will show you how to uncover hidden opportunities in your donor data.

In this session, Sam and Ben will use real-world examples and proven strategies to dig deep to discover the donors who already care about your cause. You’ll leave with clear and practical steps to reduce donor attrition, improve second-gift conversion, and grow fundraising with the donors who are most likely to give—and give again.

No more guessing or wasting time on unproductive leads—this session will teach you how to focus your efforts on the donors who already care about your cause. This will help you build lasting donor relationships and drive revenue, even in chaotic times.

If you’re ready to use your data to unlock the full potential of your donor base, this session is for you. It’s time to dig for treasure in your own backyard—and find the hidden donors hiding in plain sight. We’ll provide the map.
Speakers
avatar for Sam Laprade, CFRE

Sam Laprade, CFRE

Marketing Director, Gryphon Fundraising
Sam Laprade, CFRESam loves to connect people! As an award-winning radio broadcaster, author and professional fundraiser Sam works closely with the community to give a voice to new ideas, tough topics, and philanthropy.Sam’s extensive experience, for over three decades, in media... Read More →
avatar for Ben Mohler, ACFRE

Ben Mohler, ACFRE

Chief Executive and Principal Consultant, Giving Three
Benjamin Mohler, ACFRE, CFRE, MAGivingThree, Chief Executive and Principal ConsultantBen Mohler, M.A., CFRE, ACFRE, is the chief executive and principal consultant of GivingThree. He has presented frequently over the past twenty years for AFP chapters and several conferences on the... Read More →
Thursday June 12, 2025 9:55am - 12:00pm MDT
Room 234 - 2nd Floor

10:55am MDT

Comfort Break 1
Thursday June 12, 2025 10:55am - 11:00am MDT
Thursday June 12, 2025 10:55am - 11:00am MDT

11:00am MDT

B2-1: What to do when your Board is driving you nuts!
Thursday June 12, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
We’ve all been there.

You think everything is going great and your Board takes an unexpected turn and starts interfering with your work and you are left scratching your head wondering what the heck went wrong? How did it happen? What did “I” do wrong? How can I maneuver a course correction? How do I bring them back, refocus, manage a course correction.

For more than 35 years Tony Myers has been watching Boards in action, working with Boards and sitting on NGO Boards locally, nationally and internationally. Tony will share concrete examples of things gone wrong, why they happened and more importantly how those lessons learned will help you survive and thrive working with you Boards.

Learning Outcomes:
• What motivates boards to act and serve
• The 5 common mistakes we make in working with Boards
• The 4 most important things we can do to avoid surprises
• The 3 critical principles that will lead to success

Who Should Attend
• Fundraisers and Directors
• Executive Directors and CEOs
• Board Members

Speakers
avatar for J.A. Tony Myers PhD, MA, LLB, CFRE (Ret’d)

J.A. Tony Myers PhD, MA, LLB, CFRE (Ret’d)

Chair & CEO
Tony is a passionate enthusiast, fundraiser, consultant, strategist, author, speaker and coach who loves to raise money and help others to do the same.He has acquired a lifetime of experience working on five continents with organizations undergoing change. His skills in major donor... Read More →
Thursday June 12, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
The WCFC Heart, Event Centre 119 ABC

11:00am MDT

B2-2: 'But Why?' Asking strategic questions that build donor trust and increase philanthropic investment
Thursday June 12, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
In this session Mary will use a storytelling approach to kickstart a conversation about building authentic donor relationships that lead to increased trust and larger donations to support your organization.

We'll delve into asking strategic questions to create alignment between the donor and your organization and unlock major gifts.

Mary will share how a quick phone call with a donor turned into a $1 million gift with a simple question - 'Why?'
Speakers
avatar for Mary Saretski, CFRE

Mary Saretski, CFRE

Director, Donor & Stakeholder Relations, Edmonton Humane Society
A relationship builder, out-of-the-box thinker, and problem solver, Mary has 20+ years of experience in the charitable sector, including leadership roles at the University of Alberta and Habitat for Humanity Edmonton.Mary currently serves as Director, Donor & Stakeholder Relations... Read More →
Thursday June 12, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Room 416 - 4th Floor

11:00am MDT

B2-3: Who Moved My Cheese? How to Get on Top of the Ever Changing World of Corporate Engagement / Partnerships
Thursday June 12, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Are you spending time and money creating corporate engagement / partnership proposals that keep missing the mark? Is your gut telling you that something has changed but you just can't figure out what that "something" is?

This interactive session will help you better understand the changing game of corporate funding and provide tips and tricks on how you can tweak your strategy to create a more successful outcome.
Speakers
avatar for Brent Barootes

Brent Barootes

President & CEO, Partnership Group - Sponsorship Specialists
Brent Barootes is President and CEO of the Partnership Group – Sponsorship Specialists®, a national sponsorship marketing consulting and advisory firm.  In the past 30+ years, Brent has worked directly or indirectly with many Canadian brands, corporations, small and medium businesses... Read More →
avatar for Christi Cruz

Christi Cruz

Senior Manager, National Community Investment, TELUS (ret.)
Christi Cruz has held several community investment positions at TELUS, a global telecommunications and integrated data company. Her most recent adventure included creating a Center of Excellence in Government Subsidies for the wireless technology team, where she secured more than... Read More →
Thursday June 12, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Room 430 - 4th Floor

12:00pm MDT

Lunch
Thursday June 12, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm MDT
A delicious boutique boxed lunch is yours to enjoy with a little free time.  Catch up with a colleague you haven't seen in years.  Meet a new friend.  Find out about that job you really want.  Or just reflect on the great morning.
Thursday June 12, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm MDT

12:45pm MDT

Story Slam for Fundraisers | generously sponsored by GiveWise
Story Slams are no-holds-barred competitive storytelling events.

WCFC's version will be no different.

4 competitors will take the stage and have a chance to share their best, worst or just plain weirdest fundraising story.

5 random audience members will be selected to judge each story.

You'll laugh. You'll cry. And you'll learn about the power of storytelling and how you can apply it to inspire your donors to deeply connect with your cause, give more, and stay loyal to your organisation for years to come.


*Make sure to bring a little cash with you (or your smartphone) since we’ll keep up the WCFC tradition of raising money for a soon-to-be-identified charity with a 'pass-the-hat' donation (and its virtual equivalent).

Moderators
avatar for Alison Hagan

Alison Hagan

Manager of Development, Alberta, STARS
Alison is a leading fundraising expert who builds strong relationships with donors, staff and volunteers. With 25 years of experience in the field, she has solicited and stewarded major gifts and organized large-scale events. In addition, she has led high-performance teams to exceed... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm MDT
The WCFC Heart, Event Centre 119 ABC

1:45pm MDT

Comfort Break 2
Thursday June 12, 2025 1:45pm - 1:50pm MDT
Thursday June 12, 2025 1:45pm - 1:50pm MDT

1:50pm MDT

B3-1: Sharon Redsky's Indigenous Fundraising Panel
More info soon

Moderators
avatar for Sharon Redsky

Sharon Redsky

Consultant, Redsky Fundraising
Sharon Redsky is a First Nation member of Shoal Lake #40 with mixed heritage. She works in the area of fundraising and strategic development.She is a previous board member of the Association of Fundraising Professional Foundation for Philanthropy. The AFP Foundations for Philanthropy... Read More →
Thursday June 12, 2025 1:50pm - 2:50pm MDT
The WCFC Heart, Event Centre 119 ABC

1:50pm MDT

B3-2: Growing Your Monthly Donor Base: A Multi-Channel Success Story
Want to expand your monthly donor base? Join Lisa from Keys Marketing Group and Karri from Harvey McKinnon Associates as they reveal the strategies behind a multi-channel fundraising success. Discover how the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides increased their monthly donors by 40% using an integrated approach with digital ads, direct mail, and telemarketing.

Walk away with actionable insights to boost your own donor retention and revenue!
Speakers
avatar for Karri LaJeunesse

Karri LaJeunesse

Senior Account Manager, Harvey McKinnon Associates (HMA)
Karri LaJeunesse is a passionate fundraiser with 15 years of experience helping organizations create lasting impact. As a Senior Consultant at Harvey McKinnon Associates, she leads fundraising programs for Oxfam Canada, the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, and the Lions Foundation of... Read More →
avatar for Lisa Smith

Lisa Smith

Director of Operations, Keys Marketing Group
Lisa Smith is a dynamic fundraising leader with over a decade of experience helping Canadian charities and nonprofits grow their donor bases and maximize impact. As Director of Operations at Keys Marketing Group, she specializes in telefundraising, donor engagement, and strategic... Read More →
Thursday June 12, 2025 1:50pm - 2:50pm MDT
Room 416 - 4th Floor

1:50pm MDT

B3-3: Prospecting for Sponsorship Success – Understanding Who You Should Calling on and Why and Yes it is Different for Your Donation Prospects
Sponsorship is very different from donations, gifts and philanthropy. So why do we think we can interchange them and use the same prospect list? Come to learn and clearly understand through case studies, examples and interaction how to determine who your organization should be calling on for corporate partnerships and why! The folks that a local member association like Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) are calling on is quite different from whom a post secondary or social service agency or Basketball Canada should be call on. Know when to stay in your “own lane”! Get the inside scoop and understanding on how your individual giving donor list and big data can help you prospect corporate partners. Get ahead of your competition by understanding better how to prospect for corporate partners.
Speakers
avatar for Brent Barootes

Brent Barootes

President & CEO, Partnership Group - Sponsorship Specialists
Brent Barootes is President and CEO of the Partnership Group – Sponsorship Specialists®, a national sponsorship marketing consulting and advisory firm.  In the past 30+ years, Brent has worked directly or indirectly with many Canadian brands, corporations, small and medium businesses... Read More →
Thursday June 12, 2025 1:50pm - 2:50pm MDT
Room 430 - 4th Floor

1:50pm MDT

C2-1: Campaign Success Starts Here: The Proven Planning Framework for Your Next Big Fundraising Goal | Fundraising Clinic Part 1 + 2
Here’s an uncomfortable truth about capital campaigns: even well-established organizations can fall short of their goals. The difference between success and failure? Planning.

If a major campaign is on your horizon, now is the time to lay the foundation—not when you’re ready to launch. In this workshop, you’ll learn a proven planning framework built on 25+ years of frontline fundraising experience across campaigns ranging from $5M to $200M.

We’ll cover:
- The essential steps to prepare for a campaign - before you start asking
- How to avoid common pitfalls that can derail even the strongest organizations
- Why taking a “wait and see” approach during times of political and economic uncertainty is the riskiest strategy (and what to do instead)

Whether you're leading your first campaign or your fifth, you’ll walk away with the clarity, confidence, and a concrete plan to set your campaign up for success.
Speakers
avatar for Emma Lewzey

Emma Lewzey

Founder and CEO, Blue Sky Philanthropy
Emma Lewzey is an award-winning fundraiser, trainer and coach with 25 years of fundraising and nonprofit leadership experience. She launched her career in major gift fundraising in 2002 when she managed her first capital campaign for Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQ+ Community Centre.Emma... Read More →
Thursday June 12, 2025 1:50pm - 4:15pm MDT
Room 234 - 2nd Floor

2:50pm MDT

3:15pm MDT

B4-1: The Giving Report 2025
Continuing the beloved tradition at WCFC -- presenting key information from CanadaHelps' annual Giving Report
Thursday June 12, 2025 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
The WCFC Heart, Event Centre 119 ABC

3:15pm MDT

B4-2: Morrel Wax Breakout
More info to come

Speakers
avatar for Morrel Wax

Morrel Wax

Vice President of Philanthropy and Stakeholder Relations, Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation (RAHF)
Morrel is Vice President of Philanthropy and Stakeholder Relations at the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation (RAHF) (the province's busiest inner-city hospital) in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He led the team that helped the organization reach historical achievement five years in a... Read More →
Thursday June 12, 2025 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
Room 416 - 4th Floor

3:15pm MDT

B4-3: Netwalk for Fundraisers 2025
Conferences are often where you meet people who often do what you do, just for another organization in another place. And you're there to advance your sector for the benefit of your employer. Which is cool.

Even career networking events are often about finding a job, or meeting people who can help you in a very linear way. They often focus on title, hierarchy and as much as we all like to talk about diversity, many gatherings are defined by their sameness of ideas.

Also, most gatherings tied to work and career happen in windowless conferences centers, and if there are windows you are trapped on the wrong side of them!

So let's just once, escape it all.

And be open to a gathering of purpose - to advance....YOU.

What will you leave with?
· New ideas from new people who can add value in your work and life
· Actual progress on your career goals and a reconnection to your purpose and value as a fundraiser
· A more articulate vision of your life path and how to move forward, faster

Warning! This is not just a walking workshop, it will challenge you to think, it will present you at times with the silence of your own thoughts and it will end with uncomfortable performance art? If you’re not open to something different, sit this one out.
Speakers
avatar for Paul Nazareth, MFA-P

Paul Nazareth, MFA-P

Chief Connector, Connectworking
I exist to help people who seek purpose, use that purpose to help and build community. My work is based on the idea that every Canadian has a giving dream.I work with charities and professional advisors ( in tax, financial and estate planning) to empower everyday people to turn their... Read More →
Thursday June 12, 2025 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
Room 430 - 4th Floor

4:15pm MDT

Comfort Break 3
Thursday June 12, 2025 4:15pm - 4:20pm MDT
Thursday June 12, 2025 4:15pm - 4:20pm MDT

4:20pm MDT

The Future of Philanthropy: Insights for Fundraisers Ready to Drive Meaningful Change | generously sponsored by GiveWise
Join Bruce MacDonald, CEO of Imagine Canada, for an engaging Closing Keynote session featuring Floyd Jones, Founder of Floyd Jones Enterprises and BackBlack, Duke Chang, CEO of CanadaHelps, and Sharon Redsky, Canada’s leading voice in Indigenous Philanthropy. Together, they will share their insights into the future of philanthropy, exploring both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Attendees will have the chance to ask their most pressing questions and engage directly with the panelists on what the future holds for the sector. This session will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to tackle the evolving landscape of fundraising with new perspectives and a deeper understanding of what’s to come.

Moderators
avatar for Bruce MacDonald

Bruce MacDonald

President & CEO, Imagine Canada
When carnivals and social good combined, they pointed to a path, and for 30 years, Bruce has been walking that route.From working for organizations that provide services to young people, older adults, persons with disabilities, community service clubs and sports and recreation groups... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Sharon Redsky

Sharon Redsky

Consultant, Redsky Fundraising
Sharon Redsky is a First Nation member of Shoal Lake #40 with mixed heritage. She works in the area of fundraising and strategic development.She is a previous board member of the Association of Fundraising Professional Foundation for Philanthropy. The AFP Foundations for Philanthropy... Read More →
avatar for Floyd Jones

Floyd Jones

Speaker, Coach & Community Builder, Floyd Jones Enterprises
Floyd Jones is a speaker, coach, and community builder based in NYC, dedicated to helping nonprofits and purpose-driven entrepreneurs create sustainable, engaged communities that drive lasting impact. As the founder of Floyd Jones Enterprises, a media and coaching company, and BackBlack... Read More →
avatar for Duke Chang

Duke Chang

President and Chief Executive Officer, CanadaHelps
Duke Chang is the President and Chief Executive Officer of CanadaHelps, the country's largest online platform for donating and fundraising. Duke is leading CanadaHelps' efforts to transform how Canadians support charities, ensuring organizations of all sizes can thrive in a digital-first... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 4:20pm - 5:20pm MDT
The WCFC Heart, Event Centre 119 ABC

5:20pm MDT

Closing Platitudes and Gratitudes
Speakers
avatar for David Kravinchuk

David Kravinchuk

Philanthropy Firebrand, The Common Good fundraising agency
I firmly believe philanthropy's power belongs to everyone. So, I spend my days helping donors-next-door achieve their dream of building a better future.I'm thrilled to work with clients across Canada and internationally, inspiring donors to unleash their desire for meaningful change... Read More →
avatar for Sam Laprade, CFRE

Sam Laprade, CFRE

Marketing Director, Gryphon Fundraising
Sam Laprade, CFRESam loves to connect people! As an award-winning radio broadcaster, author and professional fundraiser Sam works closely with the community to give a voice to new ideas, tough topics, and philanthropy.Sam’s extensive experience, for over three decades, in media... Read More →
Thursday June 12, 2025 5:20pm - 5:30pm MDT
The WCFC Heart, Event Centre 119 ABC

5:45pm MDT

Fundraisers in Heritage Theatres Drinking Cocktails |generously sponsored by Eplilogue
Thursday June 12, 2025 5:45pm - 8:30pm MDT
Network with your colleagues with creative cocktails and canapes.

Thursday June 12, 2025 5:45pm - 8:30pm MDT
The GRAND
 
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