top of page
Image by Tyrone Sanders

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

IMG_0350_edited.jpg

"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."

IMG_0359_edited.jpg
IMG_6379_edited.jpg

"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."

IMG_0393_edited.jpg

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

IMG_0371_edited.jpg

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.

​

​

Image by David Martin

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

  • ​B.Y.O.L. Bring Your Own Letters 

  • Events Strategy 

  • Integrated Communications

  • Data and Donor Relations

  • Grant Writing

  • Fund Audits

  • 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: 

  • Donor Recognition 

  • Auctions & Event CRM 

  • Impact Reporting

ANNUAL PLANS & STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT

Our facilitators will walk through your plan  for you to walk away with a tangible roadmap to success. 

​

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.

​

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!

DH headshot.jpg

DANIELLE HARDEE

DRH Consulting

of South Carolina

Soenen headshot_24.jpg

LAURIE SOENEN

College of Charleston

Leya Simmons, BetterUnite, close-up.JPG

LEYA SIMMONS

BetterUnite

Anne Guillen headshot.jpg

ANNE GUILLEN

BetterUnite

download (1).jfif

RIVIERE MOODY

The Citadel Foundation

IMG_0858.jpg

CINDY TRACHTA GROSS

EverTrue

DSC00741.jpg

DANA LOCKORE

Philanthropic Engagement

sam.jpg

SAMUEL BELLAMY

The Coastal Community Foundation

Amber_Alexander.jpeg

AMBER ALEXANDER

Lehigh University

Professional photo.jpg

MARY KENYON

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Meyers headshot 2024.jpg

DEBBIE MEYERS

Rutgers University Foundation

EDiT!

download.jfif

MELISSA DECLUE

Amplify Missions

corey.webp

COREY SMENTEK

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Victoria.jpg

VICTORIA BLUNT

Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina

Headshot LMY.jpg

LISA DIXON

Allegheny College

Kathleen-Diemer.jpg

KATHLEEN DIEMER

KM Diemer Consulting

francis-marion_sized.webp

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.

fmlogo-h-70_edited.png

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

download.jfif

Melissa DeClue

Chair + Sponsorship

Victoria.jpg

Victoria Williamson

Guest Experience

download (1).jfif

Riviere Moody

Guest Experience

Eileen Bastien

Guest Experience

1619704584129.jpg

Dana Lackore

Sponsorship

Debbie-Meyers.jpg

Debbie Meyers

Programming

ff copy.jpg

Flora Fox

Programming 

Headshot LMY.jpg

Lisa Dixon

Programming

Professional photo.jpg

Mary Kenyon

Marketing 

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST AND BE IN THE 

Know!

We can't wait either!

bottom of page