With thousands of event fundraisers using JustGiving every day to raise money for good causes, we’re able to see fundraiser trends and behaviours as they emerge, and how they build over time. With the help of event partners such as Let’s Do This, Massive, Run For Charity, and many more, we can give an even better picture of the wider event fundraising landscape. Join us as we dive into the detail and share some key highlights from the recent JustGiving Event Fundraising Report to give your charity the insights you should put into action in 2025 and beyond.

This session will explore how to lead fundraising teams effectively through periods of uncertainty, with a focus on adaptability, innovation, and maintaining mission-driven impact. Drawing on 17 years of experience in the charity sector, I will share practical insights on team leadership, strategic fundraising during crises, and creating lasting change for the communities we serve. Whether you’re a new fundraiser or a seasoned leader, this session will provide actionable strategies to strengthen your team and maximize fundraising success, even in the toughest  environments.

Burnt out team delivering too much stuff to meet crazy big targets? Learn how your team could be doing less, not more, and still raise heaps. Packed with practical advice and activities to take away, this session will give you the tools to wrestle an unwieldy events portfolio into shape. Sophie will share the insider knowledge, tips, and tricks used by consultants to approach portfolio review for some of the UK’s biggest charities so you can take them away and and do your own review in-house.

In this session we’ll be taking a deep dive into multi-channel supporter journeys, with a particular focus on WhatsApp. Learn how The Children’s Society used WhatsApp journeys to engage their London Marathon runners and how you can enhance your own supporter journeys.

Key learnings form this session include:

• How and when to use WhatsApp to boost your event income and engagement.
• Enhance your own supporter journeys with actionable insights – how to use the right channel at the right
  time.
• Learn how your data can drive behavioural journeys – the gold standard.

In late 2024, Meta announced a new change to its advertising tools, effective from January 2025, which impacts a number of different organisations across sectors – though it appears those in the “health and wellness” space have been hardest hit. In this session, Henry will be talking to us in a live Q&A about what these changes mean for charities and what they need to do next to ensure they can keep in contact with donors and potential supporters.

2024 Facebook Challenge Analysis: Regression or Resurgence?
Speaker: Helen Alderson, SocialAF

Social Fundraising has long been a hot topic across challenge teams worldwide. The last few years have been a rollercoaster – with peaks, troughs, and a whole host of key voices sharing conflicting information. Helen will be sharing clear data that Social AF have gathered since 2021, providing definitive answers to commonly asked questions surrounding these events. She will also share insight and learnings into what exactly made for a great challenge in 20204 – and what made for a not-so-great one! Join this session if you are already part, or keen to be part of, the virtual challenges space and are keen to learn more about how to smash your social fundraising programmes.

Key learnings from this session include:

• The evolution of Facebook Challenges over the year
• Key findings from 2024
• What are the key components of a great challenge concept

Room 2

This session explores practical strategies for driving sustainable growth in the charity sector while minimising risks. Marc will share insights from his extensive experience and a recent analysis of thousands of runners’ data from 2024, revealing the trends shaping the future of fundraising through running events. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how data-driven decisions can support growth and discover actionable solutions to common challenges faced by charities.

When Covid hit the world in 2020, charity events fundraising was massively impacted. Over the last few years at a time when many charities have seen a reduction in ROI, Dementia UK has invested into its virtual and third-party challenge events programme and seen a spike in income making 2024 their biggest year yet. Hear from Amy McBrayne and Lucy Canning from the Events team at Dementia UK where they talk about the angles they’ve taken to grow the events team from strength to strength.

Events stewardship to drive engagement​
Speaker: Emily Holloway, Shelter

In this session, we’ll talk through Shelter’s multi-channel stewardship strategy across two events; The London Marathon (third party) and Walk for Home (bespoke) comparing engagement from the two audiences. Over the last year, we’ve tested many forms of stewardship across various platforms. From automated journeys VS adhoc support, the impact of phone calls and well timed fundraising incentives, we’ll explore what was best for boosting fundraising and practical ways to connect with your audience. By the end of the session, you’ll have plenty of examples to take forward to enhance supporter relationships and smash fundraising targets for your events.

Using AI as a positive tool for growth in events
Speaker: Martin Gill, HomeMade Digital

Would you like AI to help you raise more money but not sure where to start? Are you using AI but finding some limitations? We’ll share the good, the bad and the ‘it’s complicated’ from 2 years of exploring AI tools. With things moving so fast, we’ll focus on the areas AI can add value for you today, with notes about new opportunities on the horizon. From acquisition to engagement journeys; content creation to nurture and data analysis – we’ll share tips and advice along the way. Join Martin for a practical and pragmatic dive into the dynamic world of AI for community fundraisers.

Beyond the event: learnings from high value calendars
Speaker: Rebecca Elcome, Coveted Creates

Through the lens of working with around 20 organisations annually on their high value events portfolios, we’ll share learnings from the last 12 months. If you’re responsible for raising money through events for major donors/HNWIs, join us to explore how to make the most of these experiences to build meaningful relationships with new and prospective donors.

Key learnings from this session include:

• Trends and learnings from 2024 events season
• How to use these and your own learnings to inform future plans
• How to ensure you maximise the opportunities post-event and build lasting donor relationships

Your Fundraising Career: Practical Tips to Keep Moving
Speaker: Allie Mills, Place2Be

Ready to progress your fundraising career? Allie shares her top tips for career growth, excelling in events fundraising, and how to land your next position.Tune in for practical tips and actionable advice you can start applying immediately. Whether you’re just starting out or seeking to explore new opportunities within the sector, this session will inspire and equip you to advance your fundraising career with confidence.

Key learnings from this session include:

• Growth doesn’t have to be linear! There is a lot of value in lateral progression to gain new skills and experience
• Make an action plan to identify and address any missing skills to help secure your dream role
• How to excel in a new role and impress your colleagues from the get go