Attention: You are using an outdated browser, device or you do not have the latest version of JavaScript downloaded and so this website may not work as expected. Please download the latest software or switch device to avoid further issues.
Thursday 3 September 2026
National College of Ireland, Dublin
Welcome to Fundraising Labs 2026, a brand-new one-day experience from Charities Institute Ireland designed for fundraisers who want more than another conference.
This is not a day of presentations.
Fundraising Labs is built around the idea that the best learning happens when people roll up their sleeves and work through real challenges together.
Across the day, delegates move through a series of interactive Labs where ideas are tested, challenged and refined alongside peers and some of the most exciting thinkers, strategists and practitioners working in fundraising right now.
This is where fundraising strategy meets real-world practice.
Ben Cohen, Good Innovation
What Happens When You Hand Your Fundraising To An AI Agent?
Earlier this year, Ben built an AI fundraising agent called “Zosia” and gave her one task: raise money for his London Marathon campaign.
Zosia had her own email account, website, social channels, strategy and decision-making ability. She raised more money than Ben did herself. She also attempted to break out of her guardrails, aggressively chased donors, and convinced Ben’s boss to pay to dye his hair pink and blue for race day.
Funny, practical and slightly concerning, this opening plenary explores where AI in fundraising may actually be heading and what fundraising teams need to start thinking about now.
Build. Test. Improve.
Focused on digital fundraising, supporter journeys, campaign thinking, experimentation and growth.
Featuring:
practical lead generation and supporter acquisition strategies
collaborative digital campaign building and testing
donor journey mapping and fundraising optimisation
Pressure-test ideas before they go live.
Focused on messaging, AI, donor engagement, communications, trust and fundraising decision-making.
Featuring:
responsible AI use, ethics and fundraising guardrails
donor psychology, retention and supporter behaviour
communications, reputation and fundraising under pressure
Solve a real operational challenge together.
Focused on operational fundraising challenges, supporter experience, burnout, systems and organisational sustainability.
Featuring:
donation journey optimisation and conversion improvement
burnout, wellbeing and sustainable team culture
recruitment, retention and fundraising career challenges
Long-term thinking for long-term fundraising.
Focused on philanthropy, sustainability, leadership, legacy fundraising and organisational culture.
Featuring:
sustainable philanthropy and healthier fundraising cultures
building legacy programmes and long-term donor relationships
organisational readiness for philanthropic growth
Every session is designed as a working environment rather than a talk.
Delegates will:
You do not need to stand up and lead the room to participate successfully. But you should arrive ready to engage, contribute and work through ideas with the people around you.
That is where the value of the Labs comes from.
09:00 – 09:30
Registration, coffee and networking
09:30 – 10:30
Opening Plenary
Ben Cohen, Good Innovation
What Happens When You Hand Your Fundraising To An AI Agent?
A funny, practical and slightly concerning look at AI, fundraising experimentation and the future of donor engagement.
10:30 – 11:00
Morning tea and networking
11:00 – 12:30
Hynt + Dogs Trust Ireland
Lead Generation for Action, Income and Impact
How charities can build smarter lead generation programmes that drive action, income and supporter engagement.
Ask Direct
Beyond the Breakup: Solving the “Ghosting” Crisis with Lapsed Donor Typologies
A practical Lab exploring why donors lapse and how charities can build better reactivation strategies.
iDonate x Eventmaster
Fix Your Donation Journey and Improve Conversion
Pressure-test your digital donation journey and identify opportunities to improve supporter experience and conversion.
OKC
Are You Fit for Philanthropy?
A practical Strategy Studio exploring organisational readiness, donor stewardship, leadership alignment and long-term philanthropic growth.
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch and networking
13:30 – 15:00
GoFundMe
Build a Digital Campaign That Actually Works
Work collaboratively to map and build a stronger digital fundraising campaign from start to finish.
Good Innovation
Building AI Guardrails for Fundraising
Explore the real ethical and operational decisions fundraising teams are facing around AI, donor trust and responsible use.
InsightHR
Solve Burnout and Build a Sustainable Team
Practical peer discussion around burnout, workload, wellbeing and healthier charity team culture.
Free Wills Network
Beyond Lifetime Giving: Building a Legacy Programme That Lasts
Build stronger legacy fundraising approaches through practical planning, donor stewardship and legal insight.
15:00 – 15:30
Afternoon tea and networking
15:30 – 17:00
iRaiser
Map Your Donor Journey and Fix What’s Not Working
Explore supporter journeys, communications and fundraising touchpoints to identify friction and improve donor experience.
Communications & Campaign Lab
Trust, Messaging and Fundraising Under Pressure
A high-energy collaborative Lab exploring communications, reputation, public confidence and fundraising decision-making.
Recruitment & Retention Lab
Fundraising Careers, Recruitment and Retention
A peer discussion focused on attracting, supporting and retaining fundraising talent in a changing sector.
Jen Shang - Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy
Sustainable Philanthropy for Long-Term Purpose in Practice
Explore how organisations can build healthier fundraising cultures grounded in long-term purpose and philanthropic psychology.
17:00
Event close
Fundraising Labs is designed for:
Places are intentionally limited to keep the Labs interactive and participatory.
Several sessions are expected to reach capacity quickly.
Early bird tickets are now available.
Programme and speakers are subject to change without notice.
