Peter Dean, Dev. Operations and Data Systems Manager, Rails to Trails Conservancy

At the Bridge Conference, I gained a range of valuable insights focused on growing and engaging donor support through modern, integrated strategies.

Key Take Aways

• Importance of an omnichannel approach to sustainer growth, including using tactics like postcard matchback to connect offline engagement with online conversions.
• How branding a sustainer program can strengthen donor loyalty and make the program more recognizable and compelling.
• SMS conversion and strategies for using text messaging more effectively to convert and retain supporters.

In addition to programmatic insights, I expanded my professional network and connected with peers who provided helpful references for the database conversion my organization is currently undergoing.

On the acquisition side, I discovered new lead generation tools such as Civic Shout, PACtion, and CARE2, and I learned the importance of tracking lead generation prospects more closely to improve performance and ROI.

I also learned how to start a text program from the ground up, beginning with growing an SMS file as the foundation. This included understanding how to structure a successful mobile program for long-term engagement. Overall, the conference provided a great mix of strategy, practical tools, and new connections to help move my work forward.

Heather Leavitt, Associate Director of Annual Giving, National Trust for Historic Preservation

I’m incredibly grateful to have received a scholarship to attend Bridge Conference 2025. Not only did I gain valuable and actionable insights, but going with my manager allowed us to cover even more topics and bring back those insights to our team. I also had the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and peers. This experience has been invaluable in helping me expand my skill set beyond traditional methods, preparing me to better engage donors and maximize their impact across multiple channels.

As I’ve been growing my experience with digital fundraising, I appreciated the chance to come back to Bridge and attend sessions that helped me advance my new knowledge in the digital world.

Key Take Aways

• Ways to revamp our ad strategy and providing research tools that I can utilize like Meta Audience Insights.
• Donor Profiles session made me realize we need to be using psychographics when analyzing our audience rather than demographics.
• How we should utilize these surveys.

It was also validating to see many of the practices we’ve implemented in our program highlighted during the conference. This confirmation reassures me that we’re on the right track with our fundraising strategy, and I’m excited to incorporate these new insights to further enhance our efforts.