Talking About Philanthropy at AFP Fundraising Day 2026
- Mar 31
- 1 min read
What a great session and audience at AFP's Fundraising Day (Association of Fundraising Professionals) in Boston yesterday! Rebecca Blum Emami led a fantastic conversation, and it truly felt like Rebecca, Julie Smith-Bartoloni, MBA, CAP®, and I could have kept going.
When asked to share a few key takeaways on today’s philanthropic landscape and donor behavior, here’s what I emphasized:
Storytelling matters more than ever. With increasing competition, a clear and compelling “hook” around what you’re trying to accomplish and why it matters is what cuts through.
Radical transparency builds trust. This is the moment to be open about challenges. Donors want honesty and they want to understand where they can be meaningful partners alongside you.
Collaboration is the future. We’re seeing more donor collaboration and growing expectations that nonprofits will do the same. This is not a time for silos. The work ahead requires partnership, shared learning, and ecosystem thinking.
Speaking of collaboration and community, Rebecca and I also shared that we’re both on the Steering Committee for the relaunch of the Boston Philanthropic Advisor Roundtable (BPART). Here is how you can learn more about this organization and more about the AFP Massachusetts Chapter.
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