Initiated by Fundraising Club Bulgaria and organized by the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law (BCNL), the conference will bring together fundraising professionals, civil society leaders and corporate representatives from Bulgaria and across Europe. Tickets are now available.

The event will take place at Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia, followed by a special Masterclass on 19 June.

A call for courage in fundraising

This year’s edition takes the central theme of courage, reflecting how in a rapidly changing social and geopolitical environment, civil society organizations are increasingly required to go beyond familiar approaches and mobilise communities in new, creative ways.

Participants will have the opportunity to exchange experience with leading experts from Central and Eastern Europe, gain international perspective, and build partnerships across sectors.

Masterclass: Building large-scale digital movements

The training will provide practical tools and frameworks for engaging the public at scale and inspiring action through digital campaigns through a mix of presentations, exercises and discussions.

Building on a successful first edition

The inaugural conference in 2025 brought together over 200 participants from the nonprofit and business sectors, alongside 30 speakers from across Europe, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania and Bulgaria.

The programme featured 11 sessions covering topics such as fundraising for complex causes, digital mobilisation, corporate giving trends, and engaging major donors.

A growing community of changemakers

The International Fundraising Conference has quickly established itself as a key meeting point for the philanthropic community in Bulgaria. It provides a platform for sharing knowledge, building partnerships, and developing sustainable strategies for socially impactful work.

The 2026 edition is expected to further expand this community, bringing together professionals who believe that strong civil society is essential for a more just, sustainable and democratic future.

The conference is initiated by Fundraising Club Bulgaria and organised by the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law (BCNL), with the financial support of the America for Bulgaria Foundation under the project “Stronger Together: Engaging Other Sectors in Civil Society Initiatives (2026–2028)”.

Partners supporting the event include: Accenture Bulgaria, Fantastico and Vivacom.

The event is held in collaboration with the European Fundraising Association (EFA).

Main image by Alexandr Bormotin on Unsplash

Taking place in Berlin, Germany on 31 May – 1 June and hosted by Deutscher Fundraising Verband (DFRV), this year’s symposium will combine expert presentations and structured discussions to help fundraisers turn knowledge into real-world impact. Speakers include: Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. (Indiana University), Giedrė Šopaitė (Baltic Fundraising Hub), Jeanette Eesmann-Foster (Mindwize), Heike Kraack-Tichy (DFRV), and Pia Tornikoski (VaLa).

Topics under discussion include:

• The skills and knowledge future fundraising leaders need
• The impact of professional fundraisers on organizational income
• Why education drives performance
• Barriers to professional education

Whether you’re focused on leadership, performance, or the future of learning in fundraising, this is your chance to connect, learn, and shape what comes next.

Find out more and register here.

Picture by Getty Images for Unsplash+

The 2026 theme is ‘Small shifts, Big impact’. The event will provide a space to imagine what could be possible, and a place to be inspired and discover the latest trends, to learn best practices, and to network with others who understand the challenges and opportunities that a job in fundraising brings.

In-person offer

In-person delegates will benefit from:

•  Hearing from 175+ speakers and over 70 sessions including plenaries, real case studies, informative seminars, panel debates, workshops and more
•  Receiving advice and guidance to progress your career in 1-2-1 coaching sessions
•  Meeting 25+ exhibitors and sponsors in the Expo arena
•  Discovering the latest innovations happening across the sector
•  Gaining insight and access to the latest research findings
•  Networking, interacting and connecting with like-minded fundraisers from across the UK and overseas.

Special rate for delegates from EFA member organisations

Members of EFA can benefit from a reduced Chartered Institute of Fundraising member rate. Tickets close on 27 May.

How to book

Book here and enter ‘EFA’ in the membership number field to get the preferential rate.

In addition, those who would like to attend the Fundraising Convention with colleagues, can save 10% when booking five or more tickets in a single group booking. This offer ends on 5 May.

Organisations are “being forced to cancel crucial community and fundraising events due to security risks and direct threats”, according to Challenges Facing Charities in Divided Times, based on focus groups including a range of charities, published by sector body NCVO.

The charity regulator has also suggested that funders should show “flexibility” to charities struggling to meet funding agreements as a result of this climate.

The issues of migration and asylum have caused particular tension in the UK in recent months. While these are reflected in NCVO’s report, it also mentions charities in other areas, such as LGBT issues. As reported by Fundraising Europe in October, charities across Europe have been told to consider how to avoid exacerbating polarisation in their activities, including fundraising.

The NCVO report identifies four major themes:

1. a “tangible sense of fear” that is impacting the daily lives of staff, volunteers and those they support – particularly those from global majority backgrounds
2. operational disruption and “forced invisibility”, with organisations cancelling events, or reducing their public activity because of direct threats or security concerns
3. targeting and abuse, with many participants “receiving intimidating emails and other forms of harassment”
4. increasing internal tensions and conflicting views among staff, trustees and volunteers, as well as “challenging interactions” with service users

The day before NCVO’s report was published, the head of the Charity Commission for England and Wales said he was “disturbed” to learn about measures charities were taking to protect staff in the face of “growing hostility”.

The commission also published guidance for charities impacted by these issues. This includes a specific recommendation around relationships with funders, saying:

“If you have concerns that you may not be able to deliver some of the activities set out in your funding agreements as a result of instances of abuse, threat or intimidation, seek an early conversation with the funder. They may be able to help by showing flexibility in these exceptional circumstances.”

NCVO said that it would develop further guidance on issues around staff safety, online hate and risk management. It also pledged to create “confidential peer-support spaces for leaders and frontline staff experiencing hostility”, and to continue to raise the issue with government and regulators.

Attendees will learn actionable insights for navigating 2026, including:

– The most up-to-date trends influencing nonprofits across Europe

– Where organisations are struggling most — and how leaders are adapting

– How digital and AI advancements are reshaping strategy and capacity

– The emerging priorities that will define resilient, future-ready NGOs

– Practical recommendations to apply immediately as you plan the year ahead

Whether you lead fundraising, digital transformation, operations or overall strategy, this webinar will equip you with the evidence and expert perspectives needed to steer your organisation through the challenges ahead — and seize the opportunities that lie beyond them.

Key details

When: Thursday 29 January 2026

Time: 11AM CET / 10AM GMT

Where: Virtual

Cost: Free

Join us by registering here: https://invite.salesforce.com/europeannonprofitpulsewebinar

IFC 2025 returns to Noordwijkerhout in the Netherlands on 14-17 October. Its hybrid track, IFC Online (15-17 October), lets participants attend selected sessions online as they happen live, joining in and interacting with speakers and in-person delegates.

The programme for IFC Online provides a condensed version of the IFC experience, exploring key topics through a practical lens. As well as live and on-demand workshops, participants can experience the livestream of both the opening and closing keynotes, which are made available on-demand once the sessions have streamed live through the end of the congress.

Commenting on the online lineup, Ruby Chadwick, Director of Programmes at the Resource Alliance, said:

“Our community spans the four corners of the world. The online sessions have been chosen to reflect the diverse needs of fundraisers, campaigners, activists, and changemakers working in very different global contexts. From achieving breakthrough success with limited resources to showcasing the potential of impact investment for sustainable change, the programme has been shaped to support people no matter their cause or area of work.”

In addition to the keynotes, online delegates will have access to workshops on topics including legacy fundraising, donor potential, online influencers, impact investing, and e-commerce.

Chadwick said:

“In response to the growing challenges faced by fundraisers worldwide to continue their work, we have placed a renewed focus on equity and accessibility. It is thanks to the support of our event partners Fundraise Up and Salesforce that we have been able to cover our costs and make access to IFC Online completely free of charge this year. Purpose-driven corporate charity partnerships like these are vital for the future of our sector and we look forward to the continuation of our work together.”

IFC 2025 expects to welcome an expected 800 delegates from over 70 countries to the in-person event as well as thousands more online.

The Tour is an unmissable opportunity to hear inspiring real-world examples of how nonprofits are confronting the threats and mobilising support, and to gain new strategies to implement in your own organisation.

Key details

When: 18 September

Time: 14.00-16.00 CEST

Where: Zoom

Cost: €49

Who it’s for: Fundraisers, campaigners, nonprofit leaders, and civic innovators across Europe and beyond.

The event will provide:

• 7-10-minute lightning case studies from across Europe – concentrated, practical, and immediately usable.
• Tactics to rally supporters, raise funds, and build momentum under challenging conditions.
• Connections with peers working at the intersection of fundraising, advocacy, and civic action.

Presentations include:

• Beyond Digital Fundraising: Building Power Online That Creates Change — Paul de Gregorio (Rally, GB)
• Fundraising in the Face of Intimidation — Russell Harvey (Greenpeace International, GB)
• Small Foundation, Big Impact: Crowdfunding for Civic Regeneration & Local Democracy — Valeria Vitali (Rete del Dono, IT)
• Crowdfunding for Democracy — Zuzana Suchová (Donio, SK)
• From Stigma To Support: How Polish NGOs Mobilized Donors Against The Odds — Andrzej Pietrucha (Academy of Civic Organizations Foundation, PL)

Eduard Marček, EFA’s executive director said:

“Democracy and civic space are under threat right across Europe. But fundraisers have the power to push back. The European Fundraising4Democracy Tour is your chance to discover proven strategies and inspiring real-world examples from across the continent. For Third Sector professionals seeking practical, effective solutions, this is a must-attend event.”

View the full programme and register here.

Fundraising in Challenging Times takes place from 9am on 5 June Sofia Balkan Palace Hotel in Bulgaria. The event is initiated by the Fundraising Club Bulgaria and organized by the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law in partnership with EFA and with the financial support of the European Union and the America for Bulgaria Foundation.

Speaking about the conference, Neli Kocheva, Head of Development at Teach For Bulgaria and member of Fundraising Club Bulgaria said:

“The upcoming Fundraising in Challenging Times conference is an essential opportunity for professionals from both the NGO sector and socially responsible businesses to come together, learn from international speakers, and share local success stories and best practices in sustainable fundraising and meaningful giving.

“In a world full of challenges, it’s more important than ever to collaborate and discuss how we can continue to add value to society. This conference will provide invaluable insights from global experts on effective fundraising in tough times. Attendees will gain fresh perspectives, build meaningful partnerships, and leave with actionable strategies to navigate these challenges and create lasting impact.” 

Taking place in English as well as Bulgarian, and providing networking opportunities alongside the programme of sessions, international participants are encouraged to attend, as well as fundraising professionals and grassroots organizations from Bulgaria, Central and Eastern Europe.

The conference programme

The programme will combine general panel presentations and parallel discussions focusing on:

Opportunities and threats for philanthropy now 

• Social and environmental impact of giving in CEE countries

• The power of cross-sectoral partnerships

• Inspiring approaches to raise funds for difficult causes and overcome the challenges

 Digital mobilization for democracy 

• Contemporary digital platforms, models and innovations supporting CSOs in crowdfunding, networking and capacity building

• Branding and building flexible fundraising strategies for better donor engagement

• Campaigning and storytelling for difficult causes

Fundraising & mobilization of local communities  

• Effective fundraising for watchdog activities

• Engaging major donors in protecting democracy

• The power of cross-sectoral relationships and tools to implement fundraising campaigns

The power of philanthropy to solve socially important issues  

• The contemporary strategies of donor foundations to support the CSO community

• The nowadays look of corporate giving

• Inspiring showcases of Bulgarian philanthropists and fundraisers

Who’s speaking?

Speakers include:

Dilyana Maneva, deputy executive director at For Our Children Foundation and member of Fundraising Club Bulgaria commented:

“The International Fundraising conference marks a turning point for the nonprofit sector in Bulgaria. It creates an opportunity for our sector to build the skills, networks, and mindset needed for long-term success. By investing in our fundraising capacity, we are investing in our independence, our sustainability, and ultimately, in the future we want to create. I believe it will inspire a new chapter of professional growth and collaboration in the nonprofit community in the region and I am proud to stand alongside so many dedicated colleagues who are shaping a stronger, more impactful civil society.” 

The full programme, registration details and tickets are available here.

About Fundraising Club Bulgaria

The Fundraising Club Bulgaria is an informal network of experts committed to raising donations for civic causes. Its mission is to unite the community of fundraising professionals in Bulgaria, to positively influence the philanthropic environment by sharing best practice in philanthropy and volunteerism, and to promote ethical behaviour.

The 2025 theme is ‘Fundraising with Purpose’. The event will provide a space to imagine what could be possible, a place to be inspired, discover the latest trends, learn best practices and to network with others who understand the challenges and opportunities that a job in fundraising brings.

In person offer

In-person delegates will benefit from:

• Hearing from 175+ speakers and over 70 sessions including plenaries, real case studies, informative seminars, panel debates, masterclasses and more
• Receiving advice and guidance to progress your career in 1-2-1 coaching sessions
• Meeting 25+ exhibitors and sponsors in the Expo arena
• Discovering the latest innovations happening across the sector
• Gaining insight and access to the latest research findings
• Networking, interacting and connecting with like-minded fundraisers from across the UK and overseas.

On-demand offer
In a change this year and to make Fundraising Convention 2025 more accessible, the Chartered Institute of Fundraising is offering an on-demand package made up of audio-visual sessions (original recordings with speaker slides) and audio only sessions (original recordings with no slides). The package will include 20 sessions made up from the most popular content across the two days of Fundraising Convention 2025.

The content will be available from the end of June until end of December 2025.

Special rate for delegates from EFA member organisations
Members of EFA can benefit from a reduced Chartered Institute of Fundraising member rate. Tickets close on 28 May. For this, select the CIOF member option and then add EFA 2025 into the membership number box.

Those who would like to attend the Fundraising Convention with colleagues, can save 10% when booking five or more tickets in a single group booking. This offer ends on 2 May.

In-person tickets: Chartered Institute of Fundraising – In-Person, and on-demand tickets:  Chartered Institute of Fundraising – On-Demand