Sustainer Day 2026: Building Loyalty, Maximizing Impact
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 (9:30 AM - 4:30 PM) (EDT)
Description
Join us for DMAW’s annual Sustainer Day – your go-to event for exploring the strategies, tools, and trends that fuel long-term donor engagement.
This event is designed for fundraisers and marketers who want to deepen their understanding of monthly giving programs and take their sustainer efforts to the next level. Whether you're looking to grow your program to be a fundraising foundation for your organization, or optimize an existing one, you'll gain fresh insights and real-world solutions you can immediately put into action.
Sustainer Day 2026 will feature thought leaders and practitioners from across the sector who are redefining how we build donor loyalty and drive sustainable revenue. We focus on everything from creative campaign tactics, to back-end operations, and data-driven decision-making. Our goal is for you to walk away inspired, informed, and ready to grow. Expect an engaging mix of case studies, strategy discussions, and actionable takeaways – plus valuable networking with peers who share your passion for recurring giving.
Who Should Attend
Sustainer Day 2026 is designed for anyone involved in, or interested in launching, a successful monthly giving program:
- Nonprofit fundraisers and membership marketing professionals
- Marketing and communications staff looking to strengthen donor engagement
- Agencies managing sustainer programs or advising nonprofit clients
- Data, operations, and finance teams who want to better understand how sustainer programs impact workflows, reporting, and revenue
- Anyone exploring how to start, relaunch, or expand a recurring giving program!
But this event isn’t limited to the list above. If your goal is to build donor loyalty, increase long-term value, and align your internal teams around sustainable fundraising strategy – this is where you need to be. We hope to see you there!
AGENDA
| 9:30 - 10:00 am | Registration & Continental Breakfast |
| 10:00 - 10:10 am | Opening Remarks & Intentions for the Day |
| Speaker: Joanne Wilson, Vice President, Advancement Operations, Humane World for Animals | |
| 10:10 - 10:55 am | Sustaining Donor Panel: "Data and Retention Challenges We Can't Ignore" |
| Moderator: Derek Drockelman, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, ROI Solutions, Inc. Speakers: Dawn Iype, Vice President, Systems and Analytics, Moore; Jess McCabe, Manager of Individual Rights, Center for Reproductive Rights; Emily Courvillee, Senior Managing Director, Analytics, Humane World for Animals | |
| 10:55 - 11:10 am | Roundtable Discussion on Sustaining Donor Panel session |
| 11:10 - 11:30 am | Refresh & Connect Break |
| 11:30 am - 12:10 pm | From Click to Call: Multi-Channel Sustainer Strategies |
| Speakers: Gavin Caster, Account Executive, Client Outreach, Telefund; Melissa Rutan, Lead Representative, Donor Journey Strategy & Loyalty, Consumer Marketing & Fundraising, American Red Cross; Brandy Swimeley, Vice President, Integrated Marketing, Defenders of Wildlife | |
| 12:10 - 12:30 pm | Roundtable Discussion on Sustainer Acquisition Strategies session |
| 12:30 - 1:30 pm | Networking & Lunch |
| Speaker: Ben Smithee, Chief Relationship Office, Next After | |
| 1:30 - 2:15 pm | Benchmark-Busting on A Budget: Case Studies from Two Small Nonprofits with Big Results |
| Speaker: Sherry Bell, Founder & CEO, Grow Fundraising & Consulting Inc. | |
| 2:15 - 2:30 pm | Roundtable Discussion on Best-in-Class Sustainer Retention |
| 2:30 - 2:45 pm | Refresh & Connect Break |
| 2:45 - 3:30 pm | 30 Ideas That WOW'd Us |
| Speakers: Evan Johnson, VP, Mass Markets & Donor Experience, Project Hope; Angela Nothdurft, Account Director, Lautman MAska Neill & Co.; Ayumi Stubbs, Director, Member Acquisition, TNC; Kate Hollandsworth, Senior Vice President, Strategy, Akwire | |
| 3:30 - 3:45 pm | Roundtable Discussion on 30 Ideas That WOW'd Us session |
| 3:45 - 4:00 pm | Closing Remarks |
| 6:00 - 7:30 pm | Nonprofit Fundraisers Symposium Welcome Reception |
| Location: Westin DC Downtown, 999 9th Street NW, Washington, DC ** Please RSVP using the link provided in the Know Before You Go email. Note that this event has an additional cost of $45 and registration is required. |
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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Interested in partnering with DMAW on Sustainer Day?
Click here to learn more and let us know!
Corporate Member - $175
Nonprofit Member - $150
Corporate Nonmember - $225
Nonprofit Nonmember - $200
Full participation in this program is applicable for up to 6 continuing education points in Category 1.B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.
Please note: CFRE credit hours are pending approval by CFRE International.
CONSENT TO USE IMAGES AND RECORDINGS
Media Release: By registering, you grant the Direct Marketing Association of Washington permission to photograph, video/audio record, and use your image and likeness in DMAW publications, promotions, and other media. You understand that DMAW has exclusive rights to these visual and audio recordings.
Photographs, videos, and recordings may be taken at the event for use on the DMAW website, print collateral, press, future marketing materials, and social media. By attending this event, you consent to DMAW photographing, taking video, and using your image and likeness.
If you prefer not to have your information shared, please opt out by submitting a written request to programs@dmaw.org.
1800 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036 United States
Education - Seminars, Workshops, Tutorials
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