Why I’m going to the Trusts and Major Donors conference 2025
This year, learning has become a non-negotiable for me. Not just something I squeeze in when I have capacity, but something I actively protect in my calendar every week.
Because in a sector that’s changing fast—where funders are changing how they operate and competition just keeps increasing —learning isn’t a luxury, it's essential. It’s how we can maintain, and even increase, success rates and feel confident and inspired rather than dejected and demotivated.
So I wanted to share 10 reasons with you why I'm going to Fundraising Everywhere’s Trusts and Major Donors Conference on Thursday 11th December - and I hope you'll join me:
The £18 million gift story
Securing the biggest gift ever for your charity has got to be the dream for any fundraiser right? I can't wait to hear about key ingredients that aligned to bring in this transformational gift for Barnardo's.
2. Anatomy of a successful funding proposal
I may have been writing applications for 20+ years but I love hearing about other people's approaches. In this session, Lime Green consulting will share their tried-and-tested approach for writing a funding proposal that stands out from the crowd.
3. Creative writing for fundraisers
We've all had those days where you feel you've written the same thing for the hundredth time. This session includes five-minute exercises to unlock imagination, build confidence, and rediscover the joy of writing.
4. Curated by two fundraising experts
Beth Upton and Caroline Danks are two brilliant minds in the world of trusts and major donors—so I know the sessions will be relevant, practical, and inspiring.
5. Incredible value for money
If you use the code ALICIA20, this will give you 20% off your ticket, taking the cost down to £60. This is incredible value at £5 per session with such a range of expert speakers. Plus the conference is virtual, subtitled, and recorded, so you can watch later even if you can’t make it on the day.
6. Improve your prospect research
Knowing how to accurately read the accounts of trusts and foundations can provide insight into the direction of travel and how to avoid any potential pitfalls, far in advance of any formal announcements.
7. Be more confident in using AI
Using AI isn't just about being able to churn out more applications. This session from the Trust for London should help us understand the do's and don't's from a funders perspective.
8. Navigate current trends with confidence
How we fundraise from trusts and foundations is changing fast. Three sector experts, Maddy Gazzard, Jo Jeffrey and Caroline Danks, will be sharing the latest facts as well as fresh and practical ideas for navigating this changing landscape.
9. Hear what's working
I'm speaking alongside Paul Courtney from Children’s Hospice South West and Arti Chhatralia from Moorfields Eye Charity about what's worked for us this year in our own fundraising. In what I hope will be an inspiring and positive session, we'll be sharing examples of our own successes.
10. Learning from major donor fundraisers
Building relationships with funders is becoming increasingly important in trust fundraising and it's simply not enough to just have a list of applications to submit. I'm really looking forward to learning more from a whole range of major donor fundraisers on prospecting, networking and nurturing relationships.
👉 You can book your ticket here and the code ALICIA20 for 20% off. This code also works on any of Fundraising Everywhere’s trainings or membership which you can find more information about here.
I hope to see you there!