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+

Advanced Competence Framework – revised & restructured

EFA Certification is a European framework for national fundraising qualifications that supports fundraising associations across the continent to develop qualifications that share a common core syllabus and competencies, while reflecting their own cultural, economic and geographic contexts.

The Advanced Competence Framework launched in 2022 to guide training providers in equipping fundraisers with the advanced knowledge, skills, and strategic capabilities required for leadership and management roles within fundraising organisations.

It has now been revised and updated to reflect the changes that have taken place in fundraising since its launch, including the increased awareness of equity and diversity (and power and privilege) in philanthropy and fundraising, developments in fundraising ethics, and the emergence of artificial intelligence. The Framework has also been substantially restructured to provide clearer differentiation between ‘leadership’ and ‘management’.

New supplementary material

In addition, EFA has launched Developing Learning Outcomes: A Practical Guide Aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) . Developed to support the delivery of Advanced level professional fundraising education, it provides guidance on how to draft, review, and document learning outcomes in a consistent, auditable, and learner-centred way, aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

Eduard Marček, EFA executive director says:

“In today’s increasingly complex and demanding environment, fundraising has never been more critical to organisational success, with the need for high-quality professional development and strong leadership more pressing than ever as a result.

“Together, the updated Advanced Competence Framework and the new supplementary guide provide a robust foundation for training providers to design and deliver leadership programmes that equip fundraisers with the skills, confidence, and strategic insight they need to lead effectively, now and into the future, whilst sitting within the shared European framework of the EQF. This is essential for strengthening both the fundraising profession and fundraising standards, across national contexts and Europe as a whole.”

Webinar launch

EFA officially launched the Advanced Framework during an EFA Certification Webinar on Thursday, 19 March.

During the session, Ian MacQuillin, director of international fundraising think tank Rogare and member of the EFA Certification Committee, outlined the key updates and new components of the Framework, including alternative pathways adapted to different educational levels.

Victoria McQuaid, qualifications manager at the UK’s Chartered Institute of Fundraising and EFA Certification committee member, introduced the new guidance: Developing Learning Outcomes: A Practical Guide Aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

Learning Symposium

For those influencing fundraising talent, strategy, or professional development, the EFA Learning Symposium 2026 takes place on 31 May – 1 June, in Berlin. Organised by EFA and hosted by the Deutscher Fundraising Verband (DFRV), the event will bring together Europe’s leading thinkers, educators, certification experts, and senior practitioners to address one central question: why professional fundraising education is no longer optional — but strategic. More information here.

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.

The name of the event was not chosen at random. It took place at the Norblin Factory, the headquarters of Allegro, Poland’s largest e-commerce platform, which has been systematically supporting fundraising in Poland for many years.

Over 30 fundraisers from large and small organizations in Poland took part in a free class and workshop on storytelling led by Mirek Ubran, expanding their skills in this key area of their work. There was also time for networking.

Polish Fundraising Association vice president Agata Wiencis said:

“Although gaining knowledge was an important goal of the meeting, it was equally important for the members of the association to meet each other in real life and exchange experiences. Regular online contact is important, but it is only when we meet face to face that real relationships are formed. That is why the Polish Fundraising Association is already planning the next editions!”

Main picture by Startup Stock Photos on Pexels

The Resource Alliance, which is behind the event, has already announced this year’s masterclasses. These intensive, expert-led, small group sessions are held ahead of the main conference programme and selected to address the most pressing needs currently affecting the sector. They provide attendees with the opportunity to connect with industry thought leaders and develop critical skills to help them both thrive and meet the evolving needs of the sector.

This year the sessions will cover a range of topics from capital campaigns and faith-based fundraising to systems thinking and artificial intelligence. They are presented in two categories: full-length masterclasses held across two days and mini masterclasses that run consecutively, and run across the first two days of the event programme.

Ruby Chadwick, director of programmes at the Resource Alliance, comments:

“The world is at a pivotal juncture. The USAID crisis and increasing restrictions on fundraising globally have exposed the risks we face when we depend on singular funding streams. Income diversification is critical, and masterclasses at IFC 2025 this October will cover topics selected to support delegates to navigate these waters, to do their best work, and to grow in their careers and as people.

“They are intensive sessions where participants will be exposed to deep knowledge, insights, and experiences, learning through interactive discussions, real-world case studies, and hands-on activities.”

Delegates registering before the end of March can get 50% off a second ticket or 25% off two individual tickets bought together. More on this here.

The event, the second to focus on fundraising capacity building, was organized by the Academy of Civic Organizations Foundation (FAOO) in collaboration with the Slovak Fundraising Centre, and with the financial support of the Active Citizens Fund, funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

Three key themes

25 attendees, from Poland, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovakia, Sweden, and the UK, gathered over two days on November 7 and 8. Following the first expert seminar in 2023, this time sessions took place around three key themes: AI Insights: Unlocking New Dimensions in Fundraising; Grassroots Fundraising & Mobilisation: Building Trust and Independence; and Philanthropy in Uncertain Times.

Day 1 focus: growing fundraising income; AI benefits & risks; grassroots fundraising & mobilisation

The learning journey began with a session entitled: Great Fundraising: What Does It Take to Double, Triple or Even Quadruple Your Fundraising Income, presented by Prof. Adrian Sargeant and Dr Jen Chang from the UK’s Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy.

The second part of the day focused on AI, including how it can provide deeper information about donors and help fundraisers better understand their motivations. How AI may personalize the donor experience and help to optimize fundraising campaigns was also discussed, along with the risks it brings into fundraising. Illuminating talks were given by Kateřina Švidrnochová, Masaryk University – Brno on Fundraising in the AI Era: Strategies, Tools, and Case Studies, and Piotr Bilik, Stowarzyszenie Otwarte Klatki on AI in Action: Enhancing Fundraising Efforts to Improve the Lives of Factory Farmed Animals.

In the afternoon, discussions turned to the topic of grassroots fundraising and mobilisation, looking at best practices and strategies for mobilizing the public and fostering grassroots fundraising as a response to non-transparent public funding practices or whims of the rich.  Whether mass mobilization can bring money that matters was also discussed, along with whether grassroots fundraising contributes to the independence of the civic sector.

Konstantina Papadimitriou from Inuksuk Consulting presented on Solidarity Trips: Engaging Donors Through Volunteer Experiences; Zuzana Suchová & Ivan Zaťko from Donio Slovensko on Raising Voices: Crowdfunding for Democracy, Rule of Law, and Independent Media in Slovakia; and Björn Lampe, from Denmark’s betterplace.org spoke on How to Raise 1.5 Million EUR in 48 Hours: the Potential for Grassroots Fundraising in the Creator Economy.

The first day ended with a panel discussion, providing both panellists and audience with the opportunity to share ideas, hopes and concerns about the future of philanthropy.

Day 2 focus: exploring the challenges faced by organizations supporting nonprofits

Day two focused on challenges faced by specialists who support nonprofit organizations in their fundraising capacity building, and explored strategies and tactics for surviving, developing, and thriving. Those attending explored critical questions related to professional development in an interactive session, including how to effectively keep pace with the evolving needs of clients (nonprofit organizations) and respond to them.

Participants also had a chance to identify and articulate their own educational needs to help them find the best way to enhance their competencies, and ultimately be ready for the future.

The final session saw the event close with a discussion on key findings and recommendations.

Commenting on the event, FAOO’s Andrzej Pietrucha said:

Photos by Marek Rozwadowski

The sessions are intensive, expert-led, small group sessions held ahead of the main conference programme, and are presented in two categories: full-length masterclasses held across two days and mini masterclasses that run back to back.

Ruby Chadwick, Director of Programmes at the Resource Alliance commented:

“Masterclasses at IFC this October will cover a diverse range of topics; we’re looking at how to craft authentic resilience, exploring how to build AI into our long-term strategies, and getting serious about applying community-centric principles in our work.

“As our world becomes more interconnected, it’s becoming more and more clear that our challenges – and our causes – are, too. The only way to rise up against those challenges, in our lives and in our work, is to harness our collective power and come together to ignite a movement that transcends borders.”

Over two days, delegates participating in the masterclass programme will delve into topics including: strategic networking for fundraising and purpose; the secrets of effective leadership in times of change; how to use AI for good; building resilient teams; strategic networking; and more.

The International Fundraising Congress returns to Noordwijkerhout in the Netherlands this 22-25 October, once more in a hybrid format. More information here.

Picture by Fauxels on Pexels

A one-year course, it has been designed to help meet the rising demand for professionally trained fundraisers. Currently, there is no other such offering in Belgium.

Who is it for?

The Postgraduaat fondsenwerving is for individuals seeking a comprehensive education in how to strategically and professionally approach fundraising within an organization. This includes recent graduates from various disciplines (such as marketing, social work, business administration) as well as professionals already in the field.

Blending theory and practice

The programme comprises 37 sessions divided into five modules (introduction to fundraising, strategic fundraising, marketing and communication, fundraising mix, and a work placement). 25 of the sessions are conducted in person, while 12 are held online, always on Thursdays and Fridays. There are no exams.

Throughout the year, students work on a final project under the guidance of experienced professionals from the field. In the second semester, students undergo a 10-week, two-day-per-week internship to develop a comprehensive fundraising plan. This internship can be undertaken at a nonprofit organization of choice or the organization where the student is currently employed.

The structure allows for easy integration with a job. For professionals already in the field, the programme offers a learning opportunity with a certificate. For organizations, the investment yields a professionally trained fundraiser and a completed fundraising plan.

The postgraduate programme starts on Thursday, September 26, 2024, with more information available here.

Turnover in fundraising staff is a huge challenge—and costly problem—for nonprofit organizations.

The average tenure for a major-gift fundraiser is generally under two years.

Couple that with the cost of losing a staff member (which the Society for Human Resource Management estimates at 90 to 200 percent of the individual’s salary), and it becomes clear that retention is a key issue that successful nonprofit organizations need to address.

While it is important for nonprofit organizations to look at increased compensation, flexibility in work conditions, and internal promotion opportunities as methods for keeping great fundraising professionals, Harvard Business Review points out there is another affordable and accessible retention tool that staff members really want: professional development.

How Professional Development Impacts the Bottom Line
Professional development isn’t simply good for your fundraising staff—it’s good for your organization’s retention rate. Studies have shown that organizations that prioritize professional development opportunities for staff enjoy retention rates that are 30 to 50 percent higher than those of their peers.

Confirming & Solidifying Knowledge: Certifications
While conferences and webinars are part of a well-rounded professional development plan, professional certifications are key for retaining high-performing fundraisers.

Professional certifications do more than impart knowledge—they enable fundraising staff to network and learn outside of their organizations, demonstrate their competence and breadth of knowledge, and raise fundraising professionalism within your organization.

Fundraising staff who have invested in themselves by completing a fundraising course accredited by EFA or earning the accredited CFRE certification credential are the kind of fundraisers organizations need.

Smart organizations support individuals in their pursuit of certification by providing funding and time off to study or take associated exams. They know they’ll reap the benefits by keeping highly engaged and motivated fundraising staff who are effective and confident in their work.

The Strongest Investment You Can Make
But it’s also a reality that sometimes an organization’s professional development budget is smaller than its aspirations. It can take time and effort to make the case for the investment of more resources into professional development.

Even with a tight budget, organizations can make sure they support a learning culture in which professional development is valued and encouraged.

Here is how to provide professional development for fundraisers at no or little cost:

• Give each staff member an hour each week for on-the-job professional development. Need ideas on where to find programs? There are over 600 free programs listed in CFRE’s My Education Finder, a searchable database of fundraising training from approved education providers.
• Start a fundraising reading group at work.
  Select a book on fundraising or on skills that fundraisers need—and provide them with some on-the-job time to complete the reading. Then have your fundraising staff meet to discuss what they’ve learned and how the knowledge can be applied to improve fundraising at your organization. No time to read an entire book? Select a recent issue of a magazine serving the fundraising profession. Choose an article or two that could provide your organization’s fundraising with some new ideas.
• Coach your staff.
  Often, on-the-job conversations are transactional and task-oriented. Create time for one-on-one discussions with your staff where you can learn their professional aspirations and co-create a plan for realizing them.

High-performers want to learn and grow in on the job.

If they can’t learn and grow at your organization, they’ll find one where they can. Investing in professional development is a smart, cost-effective way to retain the dedicated, knowledgeable professionals that your organization’s fundraising depends on.

Eva Aldrich

About Eva Aldrich
Eva E. Aldrich is President and CEO of CFRE International, the first globally recognized fundraising credential. Prior to joining CFRE International, Aldrich was Associate Director of Public Service and The Fund Raising School at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Before that, she was a member of the consulting team at Johnson Grossnickle & Associates and was Assistant Professor of English and Director of the Writing Center at Franklin College. Aldrich has been widely published in fundraising journals and is one of the editors of Achieving Excellence in Fundraising, 3rd Edition, from Jossey-Bass. She holds a Ph.D. in Philanthropic Studies from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy