Event Details
Thursday, October 15, 2026
9:00AM – 12:30PM PT
Lacey Community Center
Lacey, WA
Join us for the Fundraising Fundamentals workshop to gain a foundational introduction to fundraising, as well as the opportunity to explore a specialized topic in more depth. The workshop is divided into two parts, which will start with an introduction to fundraising for all attendees before we break out into smaller group sessions.
Part 1: Introduction to Fundraising
This session will provide a comprehensive, high-level overview of fundraising and examination of different types of fundraising strategies. Specifically, we will explore the Donor Relationship Cycle, define key terms, and discuss the importance of diversification across individual, corporate, and grant funding.
Part 2: Breakout Groups
•Breakout Option #1: The Role of the Board in Nonprofit Fundraising: This session offers a practical introduction to fostering active board participation in fundraising. Participants will learn strategies for motivating board members, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and leveraging their networks to support fundraising goals and organizational growth.
• Breakout Option #2: Major Gifts for Nonprofits of Any Size: This session provides a foundational overview of major gifts fundraising. Participants will learn the key steps in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors, as well as strategies for building long-term relationships that advance organizational goals.
Networking Lunch
The workshop will wrap up with lunch and networking time for attendees.
Cost
This event is offered free of charge
Who Should Attend
This workshop is designed for beginners, and anyone who is new to or curious about fundraising. It is especially helpful for staff, volunteers, and board members from small and emerging nonprofits who support fundraising and want to build a strong fundraising foundation.
Accessibility
Interpretation: Please indicate during registration if you have an interpretation request. Typically, we need at least two weeks in order to schedule an interpreter.
If you have additional accessibility requests, please let us know when you register at [email protected]
About the Speakers
Julie Bianchi, CFRE
Julie Bianchi believes the sweet spot between big-picture thinking and the details is where successful fundraising strategy is born. Her experience in fundraising, programs, finance, and board leadership over the past decade is the underpinning for her practical consulting style. She is a writer by trade and specializes in helping organizations build their case for support. Julie leans on generative questions with her clients and students to help reveal new paths forward to long-term fundraising success. Julie has worked with more than 40 organizations across the country and has significant campaign experience, with goals ranging from $1 million to $300 million.
She is a founding-Board member for the Advancement Northwest Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a minor in Business Administration from Santa Clara University and a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), earned a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the University of Washington, and currently teaches as adjunct faculty in the nonprofit programs at Seattle University and University of Washington.
Julie is a fifth-generation Whidbey Islander currently raising the sixth-generation on a family farm.
Brittany Kirk
Brittany’s work as a fundraiser is rooted in a commitment to clarity and simplicity. She believes that fundraising doesn’t have to be stressful, and that thoughtfully prepared and strategically managed grant applications can be meaningful catalysts to growth and impact. She enjoys weaving all the pieces of an organization – mission, values, programs, impact, finance, staffing, and operations – together into a cohesive and compelling story.
Brittany has worked with more than 100 diverse organizations across a wide spectrum of missions in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Along the way, she has directly raised at least $70M in public and private funding, including multi-year grants, general operating gifts, capital campaign contributions, capacity building grants, federal contracts, innovation and pilot funding, and more. She has secured funding from large private foundations and corporations including M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Satterberg Foundation, Norcliffe Foundation, Medina Foundation, Boeing, Gates, Microsoft, and more; as well as public entities such as the U.S. government, Washington State, King County, the City of Seattle, and many more.
Brittany’s real world experience is underscored by education in best practices; she holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Washington’s Evans School of Governance and Public Policy. She has also been a highly-rated presenter at events by the Puget Sound Grantwriters’ Association (PSGA), Nonprofit Association of Washington, 501 Commons, Bainbridge Community Foundation, and the Kitsap Center for Nonprofit Excellence. Brittany is also a member of the Bainbridge Community Foundation Board of Trustees.
Important Information about Safety and Health
Thanks to Our Partners
Presented by Nonprofit Association of Washington in partnership with Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, and Inspire Olympia.
Questions? Check out the event FAQ page or contact Nonprofit Association of Washington
Phone: (855) 299-2922 x108
Email: [email protected]