Fundraising Now 2026: Diversifying Income - Online conference on Thursday 5 February

Interested in sponsoring this event? Please email [email protected] for more information.

Income diversification is no longer optional, it’s essential. This one-day online conference will equip you with the tools, confidence, and inspiration to grow your charity’s fundraising across multiple streams, strengthening supporter relationships, and creating a culture of fundraising sustainability that runs through your whole organisation. 

Fundraising Now 2026 is a one-day intensive online conference designed to help you diversify your income, strengthen sustainability, and future-proof your fundraising. You’ll gain actionable insights, tools, and strategies to grow multiple income streams, from grants and trading to community fundraising, legacies, and AI. 

Join us for a day of expert-led sessions, practical workshops, and networking opportunities that will inspire and equip you to build a more resilient income base and create lasting impact for your charity in 2026 and beyond. 

We’re excited to announce that More Onion will be sponsoring this year’s conference!

Who should attend? 

This conference is designed for anyone working in the charity sector who is involved in raising income. It will be especially relevant to fundraisers wanting fresh ideas and practical tips and leaders or trustees looking to build financial sustainability. It will be especially relevant for: 

• Fundraising Managers 
• Fundraising Officers 
• Head of Fundraising 

What’s included in the price? 

• Attendance at the online conference, keynote sessions, session talks and networking sessions 
• Access to all presentations and handouts 
• Printed copy of The Porcupine Principle 

Programme  

09.30: Welcome  

We’ll start the day with awelcome, guidance on how to make the most of the sessions, and some housekeeping to help you navigate the conference with ease. 

09.45:  Opening Keynote: Stories for Good – Unlocking Unrestricted Income 

Behind every successful fundraising ask is a story that moves people to act. Learn how to centre the voices of those you serve, craft narratives that connect head and heart, and use storytelling to build lasting relationships that go beyond a single gift. 

Speaker: Michelle Stein, Major Gift Consultant and Trainer, Handmade Fundraising. 

10.30: Breakout session:

A. Session – Supporter Welcome Journeys 

Charities spend a lot of time and effort on recruiting new supporters and donors. A supporter welcome journey will help retain these supporters and enable you to get more out of your investment long term. In this session, we will share best practices, case studies and a clear path to better email welcome journeys. 

Speaker: More Onion.

B. Session – Making Community Fundraising Easy (and Effective) 

Community fundraising doesn’t have to drain your time or energy. Learn how to design and deliver supporter experiences that are fun, impactful, and manageable, even with limited resources.

Speaker: Gill Jolly, Associate Trainer, Achieve Consultants.

C. Session – Become a LinkedIn Legend

LinkedIn is often seen as a space for self-promotion, but used well it can be a powerful tool for building genuine relationships with funders. When traditional routes feel crowded or slow, knowing how to show up on LinkedIn can open new conversations and strengthen existing ones. This session will explore how fundraisers can use LinkedIn to increase visibility, and connect in a way that feels authentic and strategic, helping to support sustainable fundraising now and into the future.

Speaker: Michelle Benson, Culture of Philanthropy.

11.30:  Coffee break 

11.45:  Panel: Collaboration – Partnering for Impact 

In a crowded fundraising landscape, going it alone can only take you so far. Collaboration between charities, funders, and businesses can unlock new income opportunities, reduce duplication, and increase impact. 

In this panel, you’ll hear from sector leaders who have embraced partnership, working to strengthen their fundraising and deliver more for their beneficiaries. They’ll share what worked, what didn’t, and the practical lessons you can apply to your own collaborations. 

Speakers: Gaby Attwood, Partnership Development Lead, Action for Children; Charlotte McMenamin-Walshe, Senior Partnerships Officer, Green Alliance; Joy Petley, Corporate Partnerships Lead, Help for Heroes.

12.30:  Networking 

12.45:  Lunch 

13.30: Breakout sessions:

A.  Session – Level Up Your Fundraising 

Discover how platforms like Twitch and Steam are powering a new wave of fundraising. This session will show you how to connect with gaming communities, run charity streams, and tap into this fast-growing income source, no gaming experience required. 

Speaker: Charlie Sarginson, Digital Communities and Partnerships Manager, Campaign Against Living Miserably.

B.  Session – Unlocking Philanthropy 

Philanthropy can transform your charity’s income, but it’s about much more than just asking for large gifts. This session will explore how to understand what truly motivates philanthropists and how to match donor ambitions with your charity’s mission.

Speaker: Rob Woods, Director, Bright Spot Fundraising.

C.  Session – AI for Fundraising: Tools, Risks, and Real Impact 

AI is reshaping fundraising, but how can you use it ethically and effectively? This session will explore practical tools for donor analysis, bid writing, and supporter communications, alongside the risks and safeguards you need to know.

Speaker: George Knight, Training Consultant, DSC.

14.30:  Coffee break  

14.45: Breakout sessions:

A. Session – Fundraising Strategy that Delivers 

A great strategy brings clarity, focus, and resilience. Learn how to design or refresh your fundraising strategy so it balances diverse income streams, adapts to change, and drives your organisation forward. 

Speaker: Isabelle Bryan, Head of Fundraising, Kids Club Impala.

B. Session – Legacy & In Memory Giving Basics 

Great relationships don’t just happen, they are built. At the top of the donor pyramid sits legacy and in-memory giving. Give people the opportunity to honour their values and loved ones by supporting your cause in a deeply meaningful way. This session will show you how to approach these sensitive topics with confidence, compassion and clarity, helping you build lasting connections that inspire lifelong support. 

C.  Session – Fundraiser Wellbeing: Sustaining the People Behind the Income 

Fundraising is rewarding, but it’s also relentless. This session will share strategies to manage stress, protect your energy, and foster wellbeing so you can sustain yourself (and your colleagues) for the long haul. 

Speaker: George Knight, Training Consultant, DSC.

15.45:  Closing Keynote: From Scarcity to Sustainability – The Future Fundraiser and the Power of the Whole Organisation 

Fundraising is no longer the sole responsibility of a single team. To thrive, charities must embrace a whole-organisation approach, where everyone plays a part in building income. This keynote will explore the skills and mindsets fundraisers need for 2030, the shift from short-term scarcity thinking to long-term sustainability, and how to embed a culture of collaboration. Delegates will leave inspired to take bold steps towards resilience and collective success. 

16.25:  Closing Remarks & Conference Ends 

Find out more about your event speakers here.

Event sponsor

More Onion is more than just an agency – we are committed activists and fundraisers with deep strategic, creative and technical expertise. We specialise in supporter and donor journeys, from recruitment via high ROI advertising to development and retention through engagement actions. We’re also known for Impact Stack – our powerful mobilisation and fundraising platform – and our professional training sessions. Our team is based across Europe, especially in the UK and in our central office in Vienna. Find out more.

Thinking of attending more DSC conferences?

A season ticket for all 11 events in 2026 might be just the ticket – Find out more here.

Prices:

Early bird: deadline 5 January 2026 

• Band A: £146 
• Band B: £156 
• Band C: £176 

Regular price bands from 6 January 2026 

• Band A: £164 
• Band B: £174 
• Band C: £194