Hey y’all, Maggie here, TPC’s resident Marketing & Communications Consultant and recent AFP International Conference (ICON) first-timer. That’s right, Hannah and I headed to Seattle last month where we had the pleasure of not only attending AFP ICON 2025, but presenting, too! A lot of networking, happy hour hors d’oeuvres, and awesome swag later, I can say that it was truly a wonderful experience. 🎉

As we traveled back to sunny LA, I found myself reflecting on the overarching themes from my conference experience, the bigger picture. I think they may resonate with our TPC community….hence my takeover of the blog this month!

Aside from the amazing array of helpful sessions, one of my personal highlights was getting to present alongside Hannah. Talk about a #dreamteam. We had such a great time sharing our turnkey tools for effective donor stewardship (more on that in a minute) and connecting with all the amazing fundraisers in the room. Honestly, it felt more like a giant group chat with 100+ of our smartest new friends. You can snag the workbook we created for that session at the end of this blog….

My three big takeaways that I think might help you too:

1. Don’t Pull Back — Lean In

Yes, times are tough. Budgets are tight. Uncertainty is the word of the year (again). But one thing was crystal clear: now is not the time to play small. This is the moment to reach out to your loyal donors and to the folks who’ve been circling your cause for a while. If they’ve ever thought about giving, now is the time to let them know how much it matters. Fear is not a fundraising strategy. When times get tough, it’s our responsibility to show up for our communities even more fiercely.

2. Strategy Is the Secret Sauce

Winging it is fun… until it’s not. Coming in with a plan and being intentional about your messaging, your audience, and your timing makes all the difference. And when things do get bumpy (because let’s be real, they will…especially in the current climate), having that foundation lets you pivot like a pro. Strategy isn’t about rigidity; it’s about being prepared. When you know what you’re aiming for, it’s a lot easier to adjust your path without losing your purpose.

3. The Fundraising Community Is Mighty and We’ve Got Each Other’s Backs

If there’s one thing I was reminded of over and over, it’s that fundraisers are passionate, scrappy, and at their best in community. In a time where the world feels a bit like it’s been dropped on its head, it was so reassuring to see how this community lifts each other up. Whether you’re riding high or just trying to stay afloat, there’s someone out there who’s got your back (and maybe an extra coffee for you…or three).

If you attended ICON this year, we’d love to hear what takeaways you’d add to this list. Let us know!

Now back to that donor stewardship resource I mentioned…

Want to snag the workbook we shared in our session?
Here’s the link to download our Turnkey Donor Communications Toolkit. It’ll walk you through all the steps of creating effective assets for your donor stewardship toolbox.

Finally, to everyone who came to our session, laughed at our jokes (or at least pretended to 🙃), asked thoughtful questions, and connected with us afterwards — thank you. You made this year’s ICON experience truly unforgettable. And to those who missed us this time: don’t worry, we’re already warming up for next year in sunny San Diego! ☀️See you there!

Until then, keep fundraising like the rockstars you are. As always, we’re rooting for your success! 💪

– Maggie and Team TPC