

2025 DONOR RELATIONS UNCONFERENCE
June 25-26, 2025, The DRX Collab will gather in Charleston, SC at the College of Charleston to redefine the traditional conference structure.
The unConference offers hands-on, collaborative, participant-driven discussions and workshops on strategic donor engagement, donor experience and stewardship.
Are you overdue in making a strategic plan?
Do you need an annual plan for your donors?
Feeling stuck as a donor relations professional?
Wondering what others are doing?
Ready to problem solve with your nonprofit peers?

THEN THE UNCONFERENCE IS FOR
You!
Meet others like you—diverse, dynamic professionals with a common goal: to learn, network and collaborate. Donor relations practitioners, non-profit founders and fundraisers practicing in the healthcare, higher education and community/grassroots sectors.
EXPERIENCE
The

"I loved how tactical and hands-on this conference was. My key take away was the importance of strategic and annual planning and owning my donor relations shop to make it the most efficient and professional it can be."


"I can't thank the team enough for organizing this conference--for being brave enough to think outside the box and believing in the field enough to create something wonderful for fellow donor relations professionals."
"I really enjoyed having the opportunity to network with other professionals and learn more about strategic vs. annual planning."

​"Thank you! I had no idea what to expect and walked away with wonderful contacts and some great ideas."

The goal is to inspire you to revolutionize your approach to donor relations, to enable you to foster deeper connections with donors and drive positive change in your organization and community.
You will take away new skills, knowledge and insights. And best of all, through your expanded network of thought leaders, you will strengthen your shared commitment to advancing the art and science of donor relations.
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Get Inspired & Get to Work!
Participate in active discussions and workshops covering the latest topics, mission critical areas and building blocks of your strategic engagement plans for your donors and organization.
WORKSHOPS & SESSIONS
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​B.Y.O.L. Bring Your Own Letters
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Events Strategy
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Integrated Communications
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Data and Donor Relations
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Grant Writing
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Fund Audits
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Board Engagement
LEADERSHIP PANELS
Join thought-provoking discussions with leaders in the field. Get inspired by diverse perspectives!
OPEN LABS
Get to know each other and share challenges and successes around niche topics such as:
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Donor Recognition
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Auctions & Event CRM
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Impact Reporting
ANNUAL PLANS & STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT
Our facilitators will walk through your plan for you to walk away with a tangible roadmap to success.
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We will work together to map out how you can engage your donors through various strategies.
KEYNOTE
The

Van Lai-DuMone
Founder & CEO, worksmart Advantage
Van actively works to rewrite the way we apply curiosity and creativity in the workplace. Inspiring brave thinking in clients, Van helps teams break through conventional approaches to challenges with her Creative Integration™ methodology.
Van brings over 20 years of corporate and start-up experience into designing and implementing learning and development programs for her clients–including Google and LinkedIn. She has served several non-profit organizations including NRDC, The Honor Foundation, and Skirball Cultural Center.
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Van studied psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara and earned her MBA from Pepperdine University. She is a TEDx Speaker and author on the topic of curiosity. Her first published book, What if Pigs Can Fly? A Practical Guide to Follow Your Curiosity to Impractical Possibilities - is both a guide for those who are looking to take action on the ideas that tap them on the shoulder, and a tribute to her mom, a Vietnamese refugee who became one of the first 20 licensed Vietnamese manicurists in the United States, trailblazing what is now an $8.3 billion dollar industry. All starting with curiosity!
Curious to learn more? Join us!
MEET OUR
Speakers!

DANIELLE HARDEE
DRH Consulting
of South Carolina

LAURIE SOENEN
College of Charleston

LEYA SIMMONS
BetterUnite

ANNE GUILLEN
BetterUnite
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RIVIERE MOODY
The Citadel Foundation

CINDY TRACHTA GROSS
EverTrue

DANA LOCKORE
Philanthropic Engagement

SAMUEL BELLAMY
The Coastal Community Foundation

AMBER ALEXANDER
Lehigh University

MARY KENYON
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

DEBBIE MEYERS
Rutgers University Foundation
EDiT!

MELISSA DECLUE
Amplify Missions

COREY SMENTEK
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

VICTORIA BLUNT
Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina

LISA DIXON
Allegheny College

KATHLEEN DIEMER
KM Diemer Consulting
See You There!

WELCOME TO
Charleston!
We are excited to welcome you to Charleston, South Carolina, a city with coastal beach vibes, where cobblestone streets meet the arts. After the unConference, take some time to explore the city’s history and culture through its museums, restaurants and a thriving retail scene.
Enjoy the luxury of downtown and immerse yourself in the heart of Charleston with a stay at Francis Marion Hotel. Group booking is available until June 1, 2025 at an exclusive rate of $269/night.

COMMITTEE
The

Melissa DeClue
Chair + Sponsorship

Victoria Williamson
Guest Experience
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Riviere Moody
Guest Experience
Eileen Bastien
Guest Experience

Dana Lackore
Sponsorship

Debbie Meyers
Programming

Flora Fox
Programming

Lisa Dixon
Programming

Mary Kenyon
Marketing