Welcome to Raise 2025: 7 Best Practices to Maximize Your Conference Experience

Raise 2025 is your time to recharge, reimagine, and reignite your fundraising. Surrounded by passionate #FearlessFundraisers, you’ll gain valuable insights from industry leaders while connecting with peers.

Whether it’s your first or fifth time at Raise, the conference is designed to energize your work, reinforce creativity, and enhance your mission.

This year’s Raise Conference will be held in San Antonio, TX, on September 8-9. If you haven’t secured your ticket yet, now’s the time! You won’t want to miss out on this transformative experience.

To help you make the most of your experience, here are our top 7 best practices to make your Raise experience unforgettable. You’ll leave feeling inspired and ready to create a lasting impact in your organization.

Let’s dive in!

1. Download the Raise Conference App

The Raise Conference app is your ultimate resource for navigating the event and making the most of your time in San Antonio. All the important information you need is just a tap away. With the app, you’ll be able to:

Build a personalized agenda: Scroll through presenter profiles and session topics to build a schedule that fits your goals.
Instantly connect with your fundraising peers: Make the most of the Raise community by sharing photos and your takeaways and insights during sessions.
Utilize the venue map: Easily find your way to sessions and events with the in-app conference map.

Think of the Raise app as your all-in-one event hub – it’s the easiest way to stay on track and in the know!

The app will be available for download in the weeks leading up to the conference.

2. Check Out the Raise Lineup

Raise offers four session tracks tailored to meet the diverse needs of nonprofits:

Fundraising Strategy & Donor Engagement
Event, Peer-to-Peer & Auction Fundraising
Leadership, Operations & DEI
Storytelling, Brand & Marketing

Dive into speaker profiles and session descriptions in the app and plan ahead. Whether you’re looking to level up your next event, grow donor relationships, or sharpen your storytelling, you’ll find sessions that speak to your mission.

Here’s a sneak peek at a few sessions that are sure to leave you feeling inspired:

An Eventful Discussion: Exploring the Future of Fundraising Events
- Join a dynamic panel of nonprofit leaders, event planners, and auctioneers as they share expert perspectives on the evolving landscape of event fundraising. Discover emerging trends, gain practical strategies, and learn how to navigate common challenges alongside these industry experts.
From RSVPs to ROI: Event Marketing that Builds Buzz, Raises Funds, and Grows Community
- Join Keirsten Hill, Director of Nonprofit Solutions at Firespring, as she shares practical strategies for attracting donors through event marketing and how to use multi-channel marketing to promote your event.
AI-Powered Fundraising: How Nonprofits Can Harness AI to Save Time, Maximize Impact, and Raise More Funds
- In this session, Chris Strom, CMO at Sunrise Association, will discuss easy-to-implement insights on how your organization can use AI to streamline marketing and fundraising efforts by personalizing donor engagement and automating content creation and data analysis.
Culturally Competent Fundraising: Strategies for Inclusive Donor Engagement in a Changing Landscape
- Tanya Frey, CEO & Founder of Terra Firma Consulting, and Tiffany Graham, Principal Consultant & Founder of Mission 360 Strategies, will come together to provide actionable guidance on embedding DEI into board recruitment and leadership development, along with strategies to adapt to increasing scrutiny while maintaining inclusive fundraising efforts.
2025 State of Nonprofit Auctions: Trends, Insights, and Data from the Field:
- Listen to Sarah Sebastian, Director of Corporate Communications at OneCause, and Karrie Wozniak, CMO at OneCause, as they break down the 2025 State of Nonprofit Auctions Report, sharing key takeaways like the most effective auction items and strategies, how technology is shaping the future of nonprofit auctions, and actionable tips to engage donors and ensure long-term loyalty.

Check out the full lineup of sessions on the Raise website.

3. Chat with Amazing Sponsors

Throughout the two-day conference, you will have the opportunity to connect with our amazing, industry-leading sponsors who are passionate about supporting nonprofits like yours. They bring expertise and resources to help you grow your mission.

Take time during the conference to walk through the Exhibitor Hallway and chat with these influential organizations face-to-face. Whether you’re looking for new partners, in need of practical solutions or resources, or simply want to network and share your mission, these conversations have the potential to create meaningful relationships with other organizations in the industry and could open doors for your nonprofit.

Pro Tip: Stop by the Sponsor Pavilion and chat with sponsors. Every conversation earns you Raise Bucks and boosts your chances to win big in the Grand Prize Raffle!

How Raise Bucks Work:

What are Raise Bucks? Raise Bucks are special raffle entries you collect during the conference. The more you earn, the more chances you have to win amazing prizes.
How do you earn them? The easiest way to earn Raise Bucks is at the Sponsor Pavilion. You’ll get 1 Raise Buck (sometimes more!) for every sponsor you chat with.
What can you win? The Grand Prize Raffle features two unforgettable travel experiences sponsored by Auction Packages and Winspire. Use them at your next auction or fundraising event — or take the trip yourself and call it “field research”.
When is the drawing held? The drawing happens live on the main stage during the Closing Session. You must be in the room to win — don’t miss your chance!

4. Visit the Innovation Lab

Want to see what’s next in fundraising? Stop by the Fearless Lounge to explore new OneCause features and product updates.

You’ll have access to:

Live group demos to explore solutions that help you raise more and stress less
1:1 walk-throughs with our experts to get advice tailored to your organization
A welcoming space to ask questions, brainstorm, and connect with peers

It’s the perfect spot to learn, engage, and find inspiration.

5. Don’t Miss the Party!

The Fearless Fundraiser Party is an evening dedicated to connecting with your fundraising peers and a chance to unwind, let loose, and have fun!

When: Monday, Sept. 8, 6:30–9:30 p.m. CT
Where: The Briscoe Western Art Museum, right on the River Walk
What to Expect: Great food, drinks, live music, and good vibes!

The Fearless Fundraiser Party is always a highlight of the conference. Mark your calendar, bring your dancing shoes, and maybe even consider bringing a friend. Extra tickets are available for purchase.

6. Get Social

Let your community in on the Raise fun and join the conversation online! Use #Raise2025 and tag OneCause on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X to share favorite highlights and key takeaways.

Some ideas to post:

Your favorite speakers or sessions
Selfies with fellow fundraisers
A-ha moments or inspiration sparks
What you’re bringing back to your team

The more we share, the more we grow together. Let’s get social!

7. Explore the City

Make the most of your time in San Antonio! There’s plenty to do and explore just steps away from the conference:

Take a stroll along the River Walk
Visit historic sites like The Alamo or San Fernando Cathedral
Admire the art and culture at the Briscoe Western Art Museum
Explore The Pearl, a historic brewery district with restaurants and shops
Take a scenic boat tour

Bonus! The Soundtrack to Your Raise Experience

Press play on the Raise 2025 Playlist on your way to the airport, during your morning coffee, or while walking to a session. It’s the perfect energy boost!

Wrapping Up

With these best practices in mind, you’ll be ready to make the most of everything Raise 2025 has to offer. From thought-provoking sessions to meaningful networking, you’ll have the chance to spark new ideas, deepen your expertise, and connect with fellow #FearlessFundraisers. This conference is your chance to recharge and return home with fresh strategies to fuel your mission. Pack your curiosity, bring your energy, and get ready for two incredible days that will inspire impact long after the closing session. We can’t wait to see you in San Antonio!

Read more about how to elevate your fundraising efforts: