September 4, 2025

Aleeh Schwoerer - AFP ICON experience

 

Aleeh-Schwoerer-Square-2024-1536x1536.jpgAleeh is a current AFP Greater Madison board member and also our Sponsorship chair. She recently received two scholarships to assist her in attending AFP ICON in Seattle back in April. She’s eager to talk more.

Aleeh: I am grateful to have received both a Chamberlain Scholarship and an AFP-Greater Madison Scholarship, which made it possible for me to attend AFP ICON 2025. I’ll share some of my experience and some things I learned below!

Favorite part of your trip to ICON?
The Saturday before the conference began, AFP Global hosted affinity group sessions to help attendees connect and discuss relevant issues in the field. I attended the Arts & Culture Affinity Group and appreciated being in community with other fundraisers who specifically understood the current concerns of the arts, culture, humanities, and creative sectors.

Additionally, the Wisconsin AFP Chapters hosted a social on Sunday night, where I met AFP members from Green Bay and Madison.

Outside of the conference, I enjoyed exploring Seattle for the first time and hope to return someday. I especially loved the Seattle Aquarium and was introduced to one of my new favorite animals—the tufted puffin!

What did you learn that you’d like to share?
Several sessions provided valuable resources, research, and networks to help inform and improve fundraising strategies. A few include: Fundraising Effectiveness Project, Advisors in Philanthropy, Exit Planning Institute, Neon One Resources (recurring giving), McKinsey & Company (personalization), and Nonprofit Tech for Good (AI marketing and fundraising).  

A few book suggestions:
"Making the Ask: The Artful Science of High-Value Fundraising" by Clare Segal and Bernard Ross

  • I’m currently reading this book. The format makes the content accessible, and is based in research/case studies from around the world. This is a resource I expect to revisit throughout my career.

"Meaningful Philanthropy: The Person Behind the Giving" by Jen Shang and Adrian Sargent

  • Dr. Shang's presentation at AFP ICON introduced content from her book, and I found it intriguing. The book focuses on research about high net worth individuals and ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWIs), and is an intersection of philanthropy and psychology. Dr. Shang has the world's first PhD in Philanthropy and is one of the only philanthropic psychologists. 

“The Rise of Sustainable Giving: How the Subscription Economy Is Transforming Recurring Giving and What Nonprofits Can Do to Benefit" by Dave Raley

  • Dave introduced three of the seven core elements for sustainable giving from his book in his presentation at AFP ICON. I found his approach to be data-driven and practical. He also hosts a podcast called Purpose and Profit showing the intersection of corporate and nonprofits.

A major theme across the sessions I attended was the importance of relationships in fundraising. Whether it’s with a donor, wealth advisor, or foundation contact, building authentic connections is essential to expanding your community of support and reaching your goals.

Favorite sessions/speakers that you recommend folks check into?
Here are a few standout sessions and speakers I highly recommend:

Anything else you’d like to share?
During a break, I wandered through the bookstore at ICON and grabbed the book "Making the Ask: The Artful Science of High-Value Fundraising" by Clare Segal and Bernard Ross. I started reading it at the Seattle airport and found the format engaging and accessible—another great addition to your reading list! 

Category