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PROGRAMS & Events

Privacy: For most events, attendees will have the option to include their name in the list of event registrants. Attendees may wish to exclude their name for privacy or security reasons. WSPN attendees’ information will not be sold, shared or rented to others.

Upcoming events

    • Friday, October 10, 2025
    • 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
    • virtual
    Register


    • Thursday, October 16, 2025
    • 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
    • In Person - Northern Illinois Food Bank, 273 Dearborn Ct., Geneva, IL 60134
    • 83
    Register


    Rethinking Direct Mail in the Digital Age: Standing out in a noisy digital world with proven, personal connections.

    In a world flooded with emails, social posts, and online ads, direct mail stands out more than ever. Tangible, trusted, and highly personal, it remains one of the most effective ways to connect with donors. In this session, well explore why direct mail continues to deliver strong results in todays digital landscape, and how you can make it work even harder by pairing it with simple, targeted digital ads. Youll leave with practical ideas and more confidence to create campaigns that reach donors and inspire deeper engagement.

    Please also bring a sample of your direct mail pieces to share with the group!

    Speaker:

    Jeffery James, Creative Director and Principal

    Spire2 Communications, Inc.


    Jeffery James is the founder of Spire2, a marketing and communications firm that helps nonprofits grow their impact through innovative, donor-focused strategies. With over 35 years of experience in branding, direct mail fundraising and integrated campaigns, he has helped nonprofits engage supporters more meaningfully and raise millions. Jeffery is known for making complex marketing tools accessible for any size team. He is passionate about equipping nonprofit leaders with practical strategies that inspire generosity and advance their mission.

    Registration is open until October 14, 2025


    PENDING APPROVAL for CFRE Credit - Full participation in this session may be applicable for 1.25 points in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification. 

    • Thursday, November 20, 2025
    • 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
    • In Person - DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E Wesley St, Wheaton, IL 60187
    • 99
    Register


    Back by Popular Demand: The Annual WSPN Funders Panel

    This engaging session brings together funders from across the region to share candid perspectives on how they set priorities, evaluate partnerships, and view philanthropy’s role in strengthening communities. Attendees will gain practical insights that can sharpen fundraising strategies, strengthen relationships, and enhance organizational impact.

    Learning objectives include:

    • Insights into funding priorities: Learn how funders are shaping their giving strategies in response to evolving community needs and economic realities.
    • Relationship-building best practices: Understand how grantmakers prefer to connect with nonprofits and what fosters trust and long-term partnership.
    • Proposal trends and expectations: Hear directly from funders about what they value most in applications.
    • Stewardship and communication: Discover how funders define effective reporting, follow-up, and impact storytelling.

    Whether you are a development professional, executive leader, or board member, this panel will equip you with practical insights and strategies to deepen funder partnerships and advance your organization’s mission.

    Panelist:

    Megan Lynch – Executive Vice President, Advancement, Loaves & Fishes Community Services

    Megan Lynch is a social impact leader with experience across the nonprofit, private, and public sectors. She serves as the Executive Vice President of Advancement for Loaves & Fishes Community Services, the largest food pantry in Illinois, serving more than 10,000 people each week across DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will Counties. In this role, she collaborates with partners to advance food security and ensure neighbors can access the healthy food and resources necessary to thrive.

    Prior to joining Loaves & Fishes, Megan managed the Charitable Fund for Duly Health and Care, where she led initiatives in social impact, grantmaking, and volunteerism, with a particular focus on food insecurity, housing, and community health. She previously served as Director of Corporate Relations for North Central College in Naperville and earlier managed corporate partnerships for two global policy think tanks — The Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City. 

    Megan has served on multiple nonprofit boards and advisory committees, including previously with Social Responsibility Chicago, Loaves & Fishes Community Services, Impact DuPage, the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce (NACC), the Next Generation Initiative of DuPage Foundation, and the Young Leaders Fund of the Chicago Community Trust. She received the 2023 Grantmaker of the Year Award from the West Suburban Philanthropic Network and was selected as a 2021 NACC 4 Under 40 Award winner. Megan earned her MA in Politics from New York University, is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE).

    Julia Callahan – Program Officer, Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation

    Julia Callahan is a passionate advocate for children’s well-being, currently serving as Program Officer at the Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation, a family foundation dedicated to helping children reach their fullest potential. In this role, she manages a portfolio of grantees in Chicagoland, Arizona, and South Carolina, with a focus on children’s basic needs, whole-child health, and educational enrichment. She also leads initiatives to strengthen nonprofit capacity and works closely with the foundation’s board to advance impactful philanthropy.

    With more than a decade of experience in the philanthropic sector, Julia brings expertise in nonprofit development, grantmaking, and grantee relations. Her career has spanned family foundations and nonprofit organizations in both Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area.

    Julia also serves on the Associate Board of New Moms and holds a B.S. in Non-Profit Management & Business from Indiana University Bloomington. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new hiking trails and discovering the best local bakeries with her husband and young daughter.

    Julie Christman, President & CEO, Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

    Julie is the President and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley. She began this role in January of 2020. She has been with the Foundation for ten years, and her prior roles included Vice President of Community Involvement and Partnerships and Director of Community Involvement and Partnerships. She received her master’s degree in social work from Washington University in St. Louis and her undergraduate degree from Saint Louis University. Prior to joining the foundation, she was an Adjunct Professor at Aurora University and the Foundation and Corporate Relations Manager for the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA). She has thirty years of community engagement and donor relations experience. She is involved with many community organizations and, in 2019, received a Woman of Power award from the Quad County Urban League. She has served on Forefront’s Board of Directors since the summer of 2024. She is also a member of the Alliance for Illinois Community Foundations, the Council on Foundations, and the Fox Valley Estate Planning Association.


    Lisa Weier - President of the FT Cares Foundation and Vice President of Philanthropy for First Trust Portfolios L.P. 

    Lisa is the President of the FT Cares Foundation and Vice President of Philanthropy for First Trust Portfolios L.P. In these roles, she develops and manages FT Cares' strategic initiatives, oversees all aspects of its grantmaking and volunteering, and initiates and maintains corporate philanthropic partnerships for First Trust.

    Prior to joining FT Cares, Lisa practiced securities and investment company law with Chapman and Cutler LLP and served as Assistant General Counsel for First Trust. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for CASA Kane County, where she chairs the Children’s Ambassador Panel, and is President of Random Acts Matter, an organization dedicated to spreading kindness and compassion. Most recently, Lisa was nominated to the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

    Lisa received the 2024 Grantmaker of the Year Award from the West Suburban Philanthropic Network. And while she most proudly holds the title of mother to her two college-age sons, Lisa also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Illinois and a JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law.


    Registration is open until October 14, 2025


    PENDING APPROVAL for CFRE Credit - Full participation in this session may be applicable for 1.25 points in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification. 

    • Thursday, January 15, 2026
    • 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
    • Virtual
    • 100


    WSPN Winter Series: Change Management


    Registration is open until January 13, 2026


    PENDING APPROVAL for CFRE Credit - Full participation in this session may be applicable for 1.25 points in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification. 

    • Thursday, February 19, 2026
    • 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
    • Virtual
    • 100


    WSPN Winter Series: Human Resources related


    Registration is open until January 13, 2026


    PENDING APPROVAL for CFRE Credit - Full participation in this session may be applicable for 1.25 points in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification. 

    • Thursday, March 19, 2026
    • 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
    • Virtual
    • 100


    WSPN Spring Series: Building a Non-Profit Business Strategy


    Registration is open until March 17, 2026


    PENDING APPROVAL for CFRE Credit - Full participation in this session may be applicable for 1.25 points in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification. 

    • Thursday, May 21, 2026
    • 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
    • In Person - TBD
    • 100


    WSPN Spring Series: Business Strategy - Building a Fundraising Plan


    Registration is open until May 18, 2026


    PENDING APPROVAL for CFRE Credit - Full participation in this session may be applicable for 1.25 points in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification. 

    • Thursday, June 18, 2026
    • 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
    • In Person - TBD
    • 100


    WSPN Spring Series: Business Strategy - Trust in Leadership


    Registration is open until June15, 2026


    PENDING APPROVAL for CFRE Credit - Full participation in this session may be applicable for 1.25 points in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification. 

Past events

Thursday, September 18, 2025 WSPN Fall Series: Acquisition - Giving Tuesday: A Case Study
Thursday, August 28, 2025 23rd Annual WSPN Philanthropy Awards
Thursday, June 26, 2025 Spring Series: Strengthening Your Organization's Culture - Measuring Key Performance Indicators - JUNE
Thursday, June 12, 2025 WSPN Summer Social
Thursday, May 15, 2025 Spring Series: Strengthening Your Organization's Culture Through The Power of Messaging
Friday, May 02, 2025 Lunch and Connect Networking Event
Thursday, April 17, 2025 Spring Series: Strengthening Your Organization's Culture of Belonging through Purposeful Facilitation
Thursday, March 20, 2025 Spring Series: Strengthening Your Organization's Culture - Building a Culture of Philanthropy - MARCH
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 Lunch and Connect Networking Event
Thursday, February 20, 2025 Winter Series: Need to Know - Cyber Security for Nonprofits
Thursday, January 16, 2025 Lessons from the Field: A Nonprofit Lawyer's Perspective
Thursday, November 21, 2024 Funders Panel 2024
Thursday, October 17, 2024 Launching a Major and Planned Giving Program for Organizations of Any Size
Thursday, September 19, 2024 September Education Session - Strengthening Your Annual Fund Plan
Thursday, August 29, 2024 22nd Annual WSPN Philanthropy Awards
Thursday, July 25, 2024 WSPN Summer Social
Thursday, June 20, 2024 June Education Session - Finding Inspiration in Your Achievements & Annual Meeting
Thursday, May 16, 2024 May Education Session - Building a Winning Public Sector Strategy for Your Organization
Thursday, April 18, 2024 April Education Session Avoid Burnout While Doing Work You Love - Redefine Your Servant Leadership
Thursday, March 21, 2024 March Education Session - AI and Fundraising
Thursday, February 15, 2024 February Education Session (cancelled)
Thursday, January 18, 2024 January Education Session - How to Strengthen Your Asks with Data
Thursday, December 07, 2023 WSPN 2023 Winter Social
Thursday, November 16, 2023 November Education Session - Funders Panel
Thursday, October 19, 2023 October Education Session - Meaningful Gifts: Major Gift Fundraising
Thursday, August 31, 2023 21st Annual WSPN Philanthropy Awards
Thursday, June 15, 2023 June WSPN Education Session - Funders Panel
Thursday, May 25, 2023 May WSPN Education Session - Engaging and Stewarding Donor-Advisors: As Easy As DAF (Donor-Advised Funds)
Thursday, April 20, 2023 April WSPN Education Session - Annual Fund & Collateral Sharing
Thursday, March 16, 2023 March WSPN Education Session - Strategies to Diversify Your Funding Sources
Thursday, February 16, 2023 February WSPN Education Session - Incorporating Giving Days into Your Fundraising Plan
Thursday, January 19, 2023 January WSPN Education Session - Executive Functioning for Nonprofit Professionals
Thursday, December 15, 2022 WSPN Member Winter Social
Thursday, November 17, 2022 Nonprofit Conversations - Virtual Discussion Groups - November WSPN Education Session
Thursday, October 20, 2022 October WSPN Education Session - Mindfulness for Nonprofit Professionals
Thursday, September 15, 2022 Securing Top Talent in a Tight Market
Tuesday, August 30, 2022 20th Annual WSPN Philanthropy Awards
Thursday, June 16, 2022 June Funders Panel
Thursday, May 19, 2022 WSPN Peer-to-Peer Co-Working Session
Thursday, April 21, 2022 Trends in Fundraising
Thursday, March 17, 2022 Building a Data-Informed Culture
Thursday, February 17, 2022 Making the Ask, Successfully
Thursday, January 20, 2022 Rearchitecting Work . . . Unleashing Your Potential
Thursday, November 18, 2021 COVID Conversations: Reflecting on Lessons Learned and the Path Forward for Chicagoland Nonprofits
Thursday, October 21, 2021 Become a Nonprofit Social Media Superhero: Increase Your Marketing Reach and Efficiency Using Data
Thursday, September 16, 2021 Collaboration for the Win: How Finance and Development Can Work Together for Deeper Donor Engagement
Wednesday, September 01, 2021 Membership Amnesty Contributions
Thursday, August 26, 2021 19th Annual WSPN Philanthropy Awards
Thursday, June 17, 2021 WSPN Funders Panel
Thursday, May 20, 2021 Leadership Succession Planning: The Secret to Sustainability and Growth
Thursday, April 15, 2021 Leveraging Data to Tell Your Story
Thursday, March 18, 2021 Partnering for Success: A Conversation about Nonprofit Strategic Partnerships in a post-COVID world
Thursday, February 18, 2021 Consultant Speed Dating
Thursday, January 21, 2021 Time Management & Organization Skills
Thursday, November 19, 2020 HOW TO: Grow Your Individual Giving (and become less dependent on government, program, or event revenue)
Thursday, October 15, 2020 Inclusive Storytelling: Incorporating Strengths-Based Strategies into Your Nonprofit’s Communications
Thursday, September 17, 2020 Nonprofits and Racial Equity – What Do We Do Now?
Thursday, August 27, 2020 CONNECT & CELEBRATE: WSPN 18th Annual Philanthropy Awards ~ A digital gathering recognizing this year's Honorees & Finalists
Thursday, June 18, 2020 WSPN's Funders Panel
Monday, May 11, 2020 WSPN Board Meeting
Thursday, April 16, 2020 Free Online Webinar: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly Truth About the True Costs of Realizing Your Nonprofit Mission
Thursday, March 19, 2020 CANCELLED - Overcoming Fundraising Mistakes
Monday, March 16, 2020 WSPN Board Meeting
Thursday, February 20, 2020 Manage Stress & Increase Resilience
Tuesday, February 04, 2020 WSPN's Re"SOLUTION" 2020
Thursday, January 16, 2020 Vision for your Profession
Monday, January 13, 2020 WSPN Board Meeting
Thursday, November 21, 2019 Where Are You Growing? Cultivating a Growth-Mindset for Success
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 WSPN's Happy Hour
Friday, October 04, 2019 NONPROFIT PARTNERS CONFERENCE 2019
Thursday, September 12, 2019 Reading Between the Numbers: Understanding Nonprofit Finance
Friday, September 06, 2019 Food for Thought
Tuesday, July 23, 2019 Cocktails & Conversation
Thursday, June 20, 2019 Successful Board Fundraising-Tips and Practical Advice from Small, Medium and Large Organizations
Thursday, April 18, 2019 The Business Case Behind Building Diverse Teams in the Nonprofit Workplace
Monday, April 08, 2019 Inaugural Food for Thought
Thursday, March 21, 2019 Balancing Act: How to Manage, Balance, and Thrive in a Small Organization
Thursday, February 21, 2019 Engaging Professional Advisors in the Philanthropic Process
Wednesday, February 13, 2019 Cocktails & Conversation
Thursday, January 17, 2019 Mentoring and Role-Modeling: Why It's a Big Deal for You and Your Organization
Tuesday, November 27, 2018 WSPN The Happiest Hour
Thursday, November 15, 2018 Money in the Middle - Making the Most of Mid-Level Donors
Thursday, October 11, 2018 Storytelling Your Way to #GivingTuesday Success
Thursday, September 13, 2018 The War for Fundraising Talent and How Small Shops Can Win
Thursday, July 12, 2018 WSPN's Summer Social
Thursday, June 21, 2018 Funders Panel
Thursday, April 19, 2018 Creating an Unforgettable Online Presence Suitable for a Goldfish
Thursday, March 15, 2018 Developing Effective Junior Boards
Thursday, February 15, 2018 Special Event Bootcamp
Thursday, January 18, 2018 Promoting your Nonprofit through Public Relations
Thursday, December 07, 2017 WSPN Holiday Gathering
Wednesday, November 08, 2017 The 3rd Annual Partners in Philanthropy Day
Thursday, October 19, 2017 Finding the Dollars in Your Data
Thursday, September 21, 2017 The State of Philanthropy: Trends and Perspectives
Thursday, September 07, 2017 WSPN After Hours
Thursday, June 15, 2017 Funders Panel
Tuesday, May 23, 2017 15th Annual West Suburban Philanthropic Network Awards Luncheon
Thursday, April 20, 2017 Restructuring for Success: Mission Sustainability through Organizational Restructuring & Strategic Collaborations
Thursday, March 16, 2017 Board Development and Engagement
Thursday, February 16, 2017 Finding & Working with the “Invisible” Staff Members
Thursday, January 19, 2017 Planning Ahead: Charting Your Career Path to Best Benefit You and Your Organization

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