6:00 - 8:30 PM - Pre-Work Group Networking Event  - Join us at Taco Vista on Governor's Island for a delicious taco bar, a frosty beverage, and an unforgettable sunset of the Manhattan skyline. Networking with friends and colleagues, new and old gather to enjoy a wonderful kick off to the PFFA Summer Work Group.

A Governor's Island Ferry roundtrip ticket must be purchased (not a NYC ferry) from the Governor's Island website. Ferry tickets for July 21st are FOR SALE NOW. They are $5.00 roundtrip. There are two ferry options: 5:15 PM & 5:45 PM (we’ll be on this one if you’d like to join us!) The ferry ride is about 15 minutes, and the last GUEST ferry departs the island at 10:00 PM EST. 

July 22nd, 2026 - PFFA 2026 Summer Work Group

8:30-9:00 Coffee time + networking

9:00-10:00 PFFA Team Annual Review: Your Year in Review July 2025-June 2026
Meredith Garofalo, Member Services Coordinator Gavin Nelson, Territory Coordinator

This session will take a deep dive into the annual stats from Member Service logs as well as the Site Clash Register and the
Master Territory Planner. We will look at trends compared to 2025 and the trajectory for F2F in the U.S. based on anonymized
member data.

10:00-10:30 donorCentrics Collaborative Benchmarking: Key Insights on the Future of Recurring Giving
Catherine Ross, Strategic Consultant, Blackbaud donorCentrics® Collaborative Benchmarking is a specialized analytics and peer collaboration program by Blackbaud that helps nonprofits evaluate their fundraising performance against industry peers. Its annual Sustainer Summit provides deep-dive data into what is driving long-term growth and stability in recurring giving programs.

10:30-10:45 Break & Snack Bar

10:45-12:00 The Sustainer Journey: Building Better Outcomes Through Shared Conversations
Facilitators: Meredith Garofalo (online), Giovana Brayman, Ken Petterson, John Lindsay, Elishia Peña
A World Café experience where participants choose three of four discussion stations, share challenges and successes, and build on
the collective wisdom of their peers. Join an interactive World Café designed to explore the full donor journey—from acquisition and stewardship to operations and cross-team collaboration. Participants will choose three of four discussion stations—The Front Line, The Donor Experience, The Engine Room, and Connecting the Dots—and engage in facilitated peer discussions on the topics that matter most to their work. As groups rotate, each conversation builds on the insights of previous participants, creating a dynamic exchange of ideas, practical solutions, and shared learning. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with fresh perspectives, actionable takeaways, and a deeper understanding of how every team contributes to long-term donor success.

12:00-1:15 Lunch catered by Migrant Kitchen, and networking Join us for a fresh and flavorful lunch featuring a variety of
options to satisfy every palate. Start with creamy hummus served with fresh vegetables, vibrant grilled street corn, aromatic
turmeric rice, and a crisp fattoush salad with house-made lemon ginger and sumac pomegranate dressings. Entrée selections include chipotle chicken, za'atar salmon, and crispy cauliflower, offering delicious choices for meat lovers and vegetarians alike. For those craving a comforting classic, a rich and creamy mac & cheese rounds out the menu. Whether you're looking for something light, hearty, vegetarian, or protein-packed, there's something for everyone to enjoy. 🍽

1:15-2:30
What Drives Sustainer Success? Key Findings from the PFFA Benchmarking Study Join us for a data-driven look at the factors influencing donor retention, value, and long-term program performance. Drawing on member data from 2023-2025, this session highlights key trends, top-performing practices, and actionable insights to help organizations strengthen their sustainer programs.

2:30-2:45 Break

2:45-3:30 The Retention Lab
Tina Meyer, IFAW, Director of New Donor Engagement Sandra Miao, AVP of Membership Programs, National Wildlife Federation
Georgi Ryan, Sustainer Giving Manager, MSF/Doctors Without Borders Join Tina Meyer (IFAW), Sandra Miao (National Wildlife Federation), and Georgi Ryan (MSF/Doctors Without Borders) for a behind-the scenes look at three innovative sustainer retention experiments. Learn how each idea was developed, how it was implemented, and what early lessons are emerging. From a donor gift inspired by the global IFAW network, to a thoughtful letter sent to donors who choose to cancel, to a new incentive program recognizing sustainers who remain active, this session will explore the power of testing, learning, and continuous improvement in donor engagement. Whether these pilots are already underway or just launching, attendees will gain practical inspiration for their own retention strategies.

3:30-3:45 Break & Snack Bar

3:45-4:45 Voices from the Field
Grassroots Team – Steve Rufo, CEO New Canvassing Experience – Gabby Baker, Minneapolis Office Director Ascenta – Colleen Cotter, Owner Support Elemental Fundraising – Abraham Frazier, National Trainer

4:45-5:00 Take the Work Group Survey – Work Group Closing

5:30-7:30 Bon Voyage – Work Group Send Off at the White Horse Tavern (Financial District),
25 Bridge St, New York, NY 10004

Hotel Indigo NYC Financial District
⭐⭐⭐ 3 Star Hotel
Avg. Price Per Night- $180–$260
Distance To Doctors Without Borders: 0.0 miles | 1 min walk
50 Trinity Place, New York, NY 10006
212-928-9388

World Center Hotel
⭐⭐⭐ 3 Star Hotel
Avg. Price Per Night- $190-$280
Distance To Doctors Without Borders: 0.2 miles | 4 min walk
144 Washington St, New York, NY 10006
212-577-2933

Club Quarters Hotel World Trade Center (Best Option)

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Star Hotel
Avg. Price Per Night- $220-320
Distance To Doctors Without Borders: 0.1 miles | 3 min walk
140 Washington St, New York, NY 10006
212-577-1133

Artezen Hotel
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Star Hotel
Avg. Price Per Night- $240-350
Distance To Doctors Without Borders: 0.3 miles | 6 min walk
24 John St, New York, NY 10038
212-566-5511