Programming Schedule

We’re kicking off the Donor Experience Summit in true New York style. Join us on the rooftop terrace of Soho House overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge for cocktails, substantial bites and incredible views. This is your first chance to meet with fellow DXS attendees, soak in the skyline, and set the tone for an inspiring week ahead. Once you’ve checked in at the Ace Hotel, head to the lobby for (5:30 PM) shuttle to the Welcome Party.

Don't miss Chris Anderson, Curator of TED and author of Infectious Generosity, deliver his keynote, which will explores how small acts of giving can spark massive waves of change. Through powerful stories and fresh insights, Chris will share how generosity - whether in the form of time, ideas, skills, or resources - can spread person to person, community to community, and, with the help of technology, across the globe. Discover how celebrating and amplifying generosity at your Organization and among your community will create a cultural shift where helping others becomes not just admirable, but irresistible.

Donor discovery used to start with a Google search or a gala invitation. Today, it's more likely to start watching a TikTok or asking an AI assistant for a recommendation. In this panel, we’ll explore how discovery is being reshaped by generative AI, algorithmic curation, and creator-driven platforms - and explore what that means for how nonprofits show up, get discovered, and earn donor attention. We’ll hear directly from leaders at the platforms shaping attention: AI, social, search, and video, and discuss how to design strategies that move beyond SEO and email lists into the world of prompts, personalization, and platform-native storytelling.

Catch up on emails or join networking pods over lunch. You can also visit the Fundraise Up office, tour Industry City, or take a quiet moment for yourself.

With shrinking attention spans, hyper-personalized feeds, and AI-generated everything, storytelling still wins but only when it cuts through the noise and creates meaning. The most iconic brands in the world aren’t just selling products. They’re telling stories that move people, building belonging, and becoming integral parts of culture. This fireside chat dives deep into how creative leaders at agencies like Droga5 are designing campaigns that do more than capture attention - they capture emotion. From award-winning examples building campaigns around Michael Phelps and Misty Copeland, to real-time digital activations with UNICEF Tap Project, we’ll explore how great storytelling is still the most powerful tool for impact-driven brands.

This provocative panel brings together a D2C brand and Fundraise Up to ask: Is it time to replace funnel thinking with something more dynamic - more human? We’ll explore how e-commerce brands think about conversion and build post-transaction rituals. And we'll get the inside scoop on how DTC Brands engineer experiences that increase lifetime value.

We’ll explore the science behind why people give, why they hesitate, and what nonprofits can do to design for "yes". From the psychology of reciprocity and knowing how to "cancel" to the role of timing, emotion, and friction, this session will reveal how small changes in experience can lead to major gains in generosity. Whether you're optimizing your own donation form or rethinking your entire stewardship program, this session will make the science of generosity practical and actionable to enable better donor journey design.

This evening we'll break into cohort groups and explore Brooklyn’s best restaurants for dinner. Connect with like-minded peers, catch up on the day's sessions and look forward to Day 2 programing.

Loyalty isn’t luck. It’s built through intentional rituals that create lasting bonds. Hear CXOs share how they turn first-time customers into lifelong advocates with mission-aligned rewards, impact anniversaries, and consistent emotional engagement. Learn how nonprofits can design similar retention rituals to move beyond transactions and build enduring donor loyalty.

Brand partnerships aren’t just marketing - they can be cultural moments that fuel reach and drive advocacy. This session dives into how collaborations with household name brands have enabled giving and consistent engagement across generations. Be inspired by how to use partnerships strategically to deepen connection, expand brand visibility, and create shared moments with donors.

Catch up on emails, network with guests, or schedule 1:1 time with the Fundraise Up team or Partner for personalized support during office hours. 

Younger generations are already transforming philanthropy. This session uses behavioral data and nonprofit case studies to explore what motivates Gen Z and Millennials and how generational experience and culture shapes the why and how people give. What strategies nonprofits need to adopt for the generational wealth transfer ahead? Expect a dynamic debate challenging assumptions about loyalty, advocacy, and acquisition.

An industry titan unpacks what their latest data reveals about how donors are actually evaluating nonprofits - and why trust is the new currency of generosity. This presentation explores how trust is built (and lost) across the donor journey, and why experience design is now central to credibility. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to position donor experience as a powerful trust-building lever.

Close out DXS in style at our rooftop sunset celebration at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. Enjoy skyline views, curated cocktails, and one last chance to connect with fellow nonprofit leaders as we toast to everything we’ve learned - and everything ahead.