Fundraising Community Call Kickoff
- Date
- 2024-04-02
- Host
- Hive events
About this event
Fundraising works better when it stops feeling like a solo project. Fundraising Community Call Kickoff is a chance to get in the room with others who care about building momentum, sharing what’s working, and creating a stronger support system around the challenges and opportunities of fundraising. Whether you are actively raising, advising others, or simply trying to better understand the landscape, this kickoff is designed to spark useful conversation from the start. Expect a welcoming, focused gathering where people can connect quickly, exchange perspective, and help shape what this community can become. About the Event This event is the starting point for a community centered on fundraising conversations, peer connection, and practical support. The goal is simple: bring together people who want a smarter, more candid space to talk about fundraising in a way that is grounded, useful, and ongoing. As a kickoff, this gathering sets the tone for future community calls and meetups. It is not just a one-way presentation. It is a chance to meet others, hear what people are working on, identify shared needs, and begin building a rhythm for future discussions. Because the event is tagged across community, networking, meetup, and social, you can expect the format to balance substance with relationship-building. The value comes not only from the topics discussed, but also from the people you meet and the conversations that continue after the event. If you have been looking for a more human, peer-driven way to engage around fundraising, this is a strong place to begin. The kickoff creates a starting point for people who want more than fragmented advice and transactional networking. What to Expect The session will likely open with a brief welcome and framing for the community: why this group exists, what kinds of conversations it hopes to support, and how attendees can participate. This helps everyone arrive with a shared sense of purpose instead of wondering whether the event is purely informational or primarily social. From there, expect a mix of introductions, group discussion, and open networking. Since this is a kickoff, a big part of the value will come from hearing the range of experiences in the room and understanding what people most want from future community calls. You can expect elements like: A clear kickoff conversation to introduce the purpose of the gathering Attendee introductions or light networking to help people connect quickly Discussion around fundraising needs, questions, and themes that matter most to the group Space to share perspective on current challenges, goals, or opportunities A look ahead at what future community participation could include Rather than over-programming the time, the structure should leave room for organic conversation. That matters in a fundraising-focused setting, where the most valuable takeaways often come from hearing how others are approaching real decisions, real constraints, and real opportunities. Why Attend Fundraising can be isolating, especially when you are making high-stakes decisions, sorting through conflicting advice, or trying to build confidence in your next steps. This event offers a setting where you can step out of that isolation and into a room with people who are thinking about many of the same questions. You should come if you want context as much as connection. A kickoff like this helps you understand who else is in the community, what topics are rising to the surface, and where meaningful conversations may continue over time. That is useful whether you are early in your journey or already deep in the work. Attendees can expect value in several forms: Perspective from others navigating fundraising-related work Connection with peers who may become future collaborators, sounding boards, or trusted contacts Clarity around the kinds of discussions this community will prioritize Momentum from starting conversations that often get delayed when everyone is operating independently Access to a shared space where fundraising can be discussed more openly and constructively Just as importantly, showing up early to a new community gives you a chance to help shape it. Instead of joining after norms and topics are already set, you can be part of defining what makes this group useful, generous, and worth returning to. Practical Details This event is listed as in person and will take place on Tuesday, April 2 at 9:00 AM PDT. If you are planning to attend, it is worth treating this as a focused morning gathering and giving yourself a few extra minutes to arrive settled and ready to participate. Because this is a community kickoff, the best experience will come from showing up prepared to engage. You do not need a polished pitch or a perfect fundraising story. What helps most is a clear sense of what you are working on, what questions are on your mind, and what kinds of people or ideas you would like to connect with. A few useful ways to prepare: Arrive ready to introduce yourself briefly and clearly Bring one or two real fundraising questions or themes you would like to discuss Be open to meeting people outside your immediate circle Leave space after the event in case conversations continue informally If you want to be part of a fundraising community from the beginning, this kickoff is the right moment to step in. You will leave with a stronger sense of who is in the room, what the community can offer, and how future conversations might help you move forward.
Who should attend
This is for people who want fundraising conversations to be more useful, more honest, and more connected. - **You are actively involved in fundraising** and want a space to compare notes, ask better questions, and hear how others are approaching similar challenges. - **You value peer learning** and want more than passive listening. If you prefer discussion, connection, and practical exchange over a one-way talk, you will likely feel at home here. - **You are building relationships in this space** and want to meet people who care about fundraising from different angles, whether as practitioners, collaborators, or community members. - **You are curious about joining a new community early** so you can help shape its tone, topics, and level of openness from the beginning. - **You want candid, grounded conversation** rather than polished networking. If you appreciate real talk about what is working, what is hard, and what people are figuring out, this event is a strong fit. - **You are looking for momentum**. If a structured gathering would help you clarify your thinking, expand your network, or re-engage with fundraising work, this kickoff is a good place to start.