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Sustainer Day

March 12, 2025 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM (EDT)

Description


DMAW's Sustainer Day is back for 2025, bringing together nonprofit professionals
to focus on one of the most impactful areas of fundraising – sustainer giving.

This in-person event will feature an engaging lineup of speakers and sessions designed to provide actionable insights and strategies for growing and retaining your sustainer program. Topics will include best practices for payment processing for large and small nonprofits, creative approaches to re-engaging lost sustainers, leveraging data for targeted recruitment, and much more. 

Networking: We’re enhancing the networking experience with dynamic Roundtables, giving you the chance to exchange ideas and collaborate with peers like never before. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights, connect with other professionals, and take your sustainer program to the next level. Register now to secure your spot – group discounts are available for three or more people from the same organization! 

Register Today!

AGENDA

  9:30 - 10:00 amRegistration & Continental Breakfast


  10:00 - 10:10 amOpening Remarks & Intentions for the Day

Speaker:  Joanne Wilson, Vice President, Advancement Operations, Humane World for Animals


  10:10 - 10:55 amIndustry Challenges: A Look Ahead

Speakers:  Kristina Williams, Managing Director, Membership Acquisition, Sierra Club; Kelly England, CEO & Founder, Multiply Strategies; Joanne Wilson, Vice President, Advancement Operations, Humane World for Animals; Margaret Romig, Account Director, Lautman Maska Neill & Co.

This panel discussion brings together two leading nonprofits and two top agencies to share the inside scoop on what works – and what doesn't – when it comes to sustainer programs. From acquiring monthly donors to the ongoing challenge of keeping them engaged, our panelists will reveal their biggest obstacles and the game-changing strategies that led to success. Expect candid perspectives, examples, and actionable takeaways to help you refine your sustainer program and drive long-term impact. If you're looking to overcome common challenges and discover new opportunities for growth, this session will provide you with inspiration.



  10:55 - 11:10 amRoundtable Discussion on A Look Ahead


  11:10 - 11:30 amRefresh & Connect Break


  11:30 am - 12:10 pmThe Donor Journey: Going Beyond Sustainer Acquisition 

Speaker:  Sofia Machado Lemus, Director, Multichannel Fundraising, Operation Smile; Kristina Arnold, Senior Fundraising and Marketing Analyst, Operation Smile

Operation Smile has been able to build a robust multi-channel, multicultural recurring program. We will share the tactics that we use to keep them engaged, and how we have successfully onboarded English and Spanish speaking donors in the US and Puerto Rico. We will walk you through the data imperatives to achieve seamless communication for this audience and the processing of their recurring gifts.



  12:10 - 12:30 pmRoundtable Discussion on The Donor Journey


  12:30 - 1:30 pmNetworking & Lunch


  1:30 - 2:15 pmLet's Get Back Together: Turning Sustainer Break-ups into Make-ups

Speakers:  Andrew Giffen, Principal, AKwire; Alejandra Gerosa, Associate Director, Sustainer Marketing, ACLU

Often an untapped, under-looked key step of the sustainer relationship is what happens AFTER the break-up. This panel of experts will quantify the value of recaptured sustainers and the metrics and benchmarks you should be tracking and setting for your program. The panel will also take the audience through all of the different types of "break-ups" that can happen and what organizations should be doing to "make-up."



  2:15 - 2:30 pmRoundtable Discussion on Let's Get Back Together


  2:30 - 2:45 pmRefresh & Connect Break


  2:45 - 3:30 pmUnderstanding and Applying Benchmarks

Speaker:  Richard Geiger, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Innovation, Data Axle; Kristina Williams, Managing Director, Membership Acquisition, Sierra Club

It was not long ago that Sustainers were an afterthought in terms of resourcing, strategy, and measurement. Today, sustainers are front and center at all levels of the pyramid and through all channels. Dedicated resources, strategy, budget, and care and feeding have made these programs front and center in working on maximizing donor value and engagement. This sessions will take a look at holistic benchmarks around sustainer programs and how they compare to the other types of fundraising strategies and channels, as well as what the sustainer persona looks like. From a practical standpoint, the Sierra Club will share how they use benchmarking and data to support their sustainer program.
  • Participants will learn what some sustainer benchmarks are and be able to take those home to look at their programs.
  • Practical applications of sustainer strategy will be shared and how they relate to sustainer metrics and benchmarking.
  • Review of outside as a tool to implement sustainer strategy.



  3:30 pm - 3:45 pmRoundtable Discussion on Understanding and Applying Benchmarks


  3:45 pm - 4:00 pmClosing Remarks


  6:00 pm - 7:30 pmNetworking Reception: Hilton National Mall at the Wharf, Washington, DC

Please RSVP using this link. *Note: This event has an additional cost of $45 and registration is required.


Register Today!




Full participation in Sustainer Day is applicable for 4.25 points in Category 1.B - Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

OPENING PANEL
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Interested in partnering with DMAW on Sustainer Day?
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Register Today!

Sustainer Day 2025 Rates

Corporate Member: $175
Corporate Nonmember: $225
Nonprofit Member: $150
Nonprofit Nonmember: $200
Networking Reception: $45


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.



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Contact Information

Name: Direct Marketing Association of Washington (DMAW)
Phone: (703) 689-3629
Email: info@dmaw.org
Details: For more information, contact DMAW Education Programs at programs@dmaw.org.
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