The Work Behind the Ask: Data, Decisions and Collaborations in Fundraising
5th Annual Fundraising Fundamentals Symposium
Half Day Educational Event
Fundraising success is built before the ask; through the data that guides strategy and the relationships that move the work forward. The Work Behind the Ask is a half-day symposium connecting fundraising professionals with experienced practitioners to explore what to track, how to use it and how to build productive partnerships across development, finance, programs and operations. Whether you are entering the field, growing into management or leading a development team, you will gain practical approaches to strengthen both your day-to-day work and your organization’s fundraising culture. Come ready to sharpen your practice, exchange ideas with colleagues and leave with clear next steps you can put to work.
AGENDA
- 9:30 AM: Check-in, Networking
- 9:45 AM - 11:15 AM: Session One
- 11:15 AM - 11:30 AM: Break
- 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM: Session Two
- 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM: Networking
*Coffee, light bites and snacks will be served
MODERATED BY
Evelyn Chen, IPA
Partner, Russell Philanthropies
Evelyn is a Partner at Russell Philanthropies, following a 20-year career in nonprofit development and leadership. She has led capital and programmatic campaigns for The Nature Conservancy and Per Scholas, and built advancement teams that consistently achieved double-digit revenue increases. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President at Per Scholas, where she helped triple the size of the development team and drove revenue growth from $25M in 2020 to $61M in 2024. At Russell Philanthropies, Evelyn applies her expertise to advise nonprofits and philanthropists as they build courageous, durable programs that benefit communities and causes for the long haul.
SESSION ONE: 9:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Fundraising Across the Organization: Building Trust, Alignment and Shared Accountability
Effective fundraising depends on strong working relationships across development, finance, programs and operations. This conversation will examine how fundraisers at any level can build trust, communicate priorities, navigate competing needs and create greater shared ownership of fundraising goals. Attendees will gain practical ways to strengthen collaboration within their organizations, regardless of their title or team size.
SPEAKER
Judy Reissmann, MPA
Partner, The Growth Point
Judy Reissmann is a Partner at The Growth Point, a strategic development firm she co-founded that helps mission-driven organizations, nonprofits and cultural institutions build fundraising systems that last. Her fundraising career spans more than ten years in consulting, healthcare and education. She focuses on donor engagement, campaign strategy and development communications, and she believes in building relationships before transactions.
Before The Growth Point, Judy was a Director at CCS Fundraising. There she advised nonprofit leaders across sectors, with clients including Ocean Conservancy and Berkeley Carroll School. Growth Point clients work in sectors focused on civic and social progress, such as The Center for Discovery, Represented Foundation and Charm City Cultural Cultivation. She currently leads development at ICI, where she is driving forward a $10 million campaign. She started her career at NYU Langone in strategic donor engagement for 7-figure patrons.
Originally from Eswatini, Judy holds an MPA from NYU Wagner and a BA in Sociology from Colorado College. She is also a multidisciplinary mixed media artist.
SESSION TWO: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Data-Informed Fundraising: What to Track, How to Interpret It and When to Act
Data can strengthen every part of fundraising, from annual giving and events to moves management and major gifts, but only when teams know what to track and how to use it. An analytics specialist and experienced fundraising practitioner will discuss how to interpret results, segment audiences, set informed goals and make strategic decisions using the tools already available. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of which information matters and how to translate it into action.
SPEAKER
Jess Roberts, MS in Nonprofit Management
Vice President, Data Analytics
CCS Fundraising
Jess Roberts is a Vice President at CCS Fundraising, where she leads Analytics and Resource Management for a growing portfolio of data, technology, and fundraising work. Over the past 20+ years, she has partnered with more than 1,500 nonprofits, helping organizations turn their data into clearer direction and stronger outcomes.
She was part of the founding team that built CCS’s Analytics practice, scaling it from a small group into a high‑impact function of 250+ engagements a year. Jess is known for building practical systems, developing strong teams, and helping organizations move from ideas to execution without unnecessary complexity.
Outside of her core role, Jess teaches at Columbia University, speaks regularly at industry conferences, and contributes to training and thought leadership across the nonprofit data and fundraising space.
The New York City Chapter of AFP holds multiple events for both members and nonmembers throughout the year. Members and guests pay discounted pricing; some events are free for AFP-NYC Chapter members. We are presenting a variety of online events this year, including webinars, discussions, coaching sessions, Town Halls. Need CE credits? We're happy to provide attendance verification, just ask!