AFP LEAD 2026: Supporting the People Behind the Mission
Last week, I was at the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) LEAD Conference in New Orleans feeling very encouraged by the people moving fundraising forward! Held October 22–24, 2026, this year’s event brought nonprofit leaders together to talk about the realities of leading teams and sustaining their missions. My biggest takeaway was simple: fundraisers care deeply about their work, and they need the time, tools, and support to keep doing it well.
Making Space for Honest Conversations
What stood out to me at LEAD was the willingness to talk openly about the human side of fundraising. I expected a lot of talk about AI, but it wasn’t the main focus like I’ve seen so much at other recent tech conferences. What stood out more was the focus on people: how to lead through uncertainty, build healthy teams, and manage the pressure that comes with fundraising today.
Fundraisers are balancing ambitious goals, changing donor expectations, and competing priorities. Burnout deserves an honest conversation. I found that honesty encouraging. Recognizing the pressure creates an opportunity to make meaningful changes, starting with practical steps like regular workload assessments, establishing clear after-hours boundaries, and aligning on core priorities. Sustainable fundraising starts with taking care of the people doing the work.
Putting Technology to Work for Fundraisers
Those conversations reinforced how I think about Salesforce’s role in nonprofit organizations. When thoughtfully implemented, Salesforce centralizes donor data, automates routine administrative tasks, and simplifies reporting – eliminating everyday bottlenecks like duplicate data entry or tedious manual handoffs so teams can focus on relationship building.
Addressing those everyday frustrations can make a meaningful difference. Technology is one part of supporting a healthy team, alongside good leadership, clear expectations, and manageable workloads.
A Little New Orleans, a Little Baseball
New Orleans was a fitting backdrop for a conference centered on people and connection. Between sessions, I had a chance to recharge, enjoy the city’s vibrant culture, and put that idea into practice.
As a huge Brewers fan, a highlight for me was watching my team in the World Series at a quaint downtown restaurant surrounded by fellow Wisconsin fans. Cheering on the Crew together felt like a little piece of home, right in the heart of New Orleans. Let’s go, Brewers!
Bringing the Energy Home
I left AFP LEAD feeling optimistic about this community and proud of the work we do at Canvas Cloud. We help nonprofits streamline and optimize their technology stacks and make the most of Salesforce’s capabilities, from connected donor data to automation that saves valuable time. Hearing the challenges fundraisers face reinforced why that work matters.
It feels good to help organizations put their technology to better use, giving their teams more time and energy for the people and missions they serve.
If your organization is ready to simplify its technology and get more out of Salesforce, connect with Canvas Cloud. Let’s explore how we can help your team spend less time on manual tasks and more time advancing your mission.
About the Author
Daniel Dibble is President and CRO of Canvas Cloud, a certified Salesforce Consulting Partner. Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn. If you’d like to meet with Daniel to discuss your organization’s Salesforce strategy, fill out our Contact Us form.
