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Fueling The Future of Digital Fundraising

Discover bold strategies, fresh insights, and unforgettable experiences at the Nonprofit Innovation & Optimization Summit

Sept 30 – Oct 2, 2025

Kansas City, MO

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Unlike Any nonprofit conference or event you've ever experienced!

Travel “Back to the Fundraising Future” and learn how to stop your valued donors from vanishing before your very eyes! You’ll get expert guidance on using timeless principles of fundraising, persuasion, and donor psychology alongside the latest tech, tactics, and strategies to inspire your donors to fund the future they want to see!

The Nonprofit Innovation & Optimization (NIO) Summit is hands-down the most outrageously entertaining nonprofit conference around — and it might also be the best investment you make this year…

World Class Speakers

Hear from industry experts on topics and issues that matter, not thinly veiled sales pitches.

Swaggiest of Swag

You don’t get a bag of swag you didn’t choose, you get tokens to shop for what you really want!

Exhibitors for All

Our exhibit hall is filled with companies you actually want to talk with and learn how they can help your organization. 

Two Nights of Parties

Kick things off with a crazy opening party, then wrap up your day after some intense learning sessions, with even more fun! And, it’s all included with your ticket price!

Pre-Summit Workshop

Join us the day before the conference for an incredible and interactive workshop about growing your recurring giving program.

Get in the Movies

Go back to the future, and star in your very own movie trailer at our incredible green screen experience. Post it on social and get your 30 seconds of fame!

Innovation Showcase

Learn about the latest innovations happening in the nonprofit space that you can easily implement with your organization. 

Optimize Your Site

Be sure to stop by our Optimization Station, where there will be ongoing live site optimizations that will give you great ideas to take home with you.

It's Game Time

Get ready to play some fun games and earn some tokens to use at the swag store. Challenge your friends to see who can win the most!

We’re also the only conference, nonprofit or not, confident enough to make this audacious guarantee:

You will leave NIO Summit 2025 with actionable strategies to grow your fundraising program — if you don’t, we’ll refund the cost of your ticket, no questions asked.

Reserve Your Seat!

New, Incredible Speakers Being Added Every Week!

Jeff Giddens

President of NextAfter

Cassandra Worthy

Founder & CEO of Change Enthusiasm®
Jonathan Pontell

Jonathan Pontell

Writer, Political Advisor

Andy Crestodina

Co-founder & CMO of Orbit Media

Nancy Harhut

Chief Creative Officer of HBT Marketing

Woodrow Rosenbaum

Chief Data Officer of GivingTuesday

Ardee Coolidge

Vice President, Client Services of NextAfter

Moni Oloyede

Owner / Founder of MO MarTech

Nick Marino

Center for Business Impact, Director

Jessica Best

Owner and Chief Strategist of BetterAve

John Michael Morgan

Founder of ACHVR

Anthony Jones

Founder of Anthony Jones Consulting

More Speakers coming soon
See the Full Speaker Line-up and Biography's

Kansas City, MO:

Heart of the Heartland

Straddling the border between Missouri and Kansas, Kansas City is a vibrant cultural hub known for its rich jazz heritage, mouthwatering barbecue, and dynamic arts scene. With a thriving downtown, historic neighborhoods like the Crossroads and Westport, and a strong sports culture—home to the Chiefs and Royals—Kansas City offers a unique blend of Midwestern charm and metropolitan energy. The city is also recognized for its fountains—more than any city outside of Rome—and its growing tech and startup communities make it a compelling destination for both visitors and innovators alike.

Look Who's Talking!

"I am so excited to take back the learnings from the conference about the different digital strategies and platforms that were shared on stage by the great speakers."
- Jimena, Moody Clinic (NIO 2024 Attendee)
"I have really enjoyed my time at the NIO Summit. We've met a lot of great people, had a lot of fun, it's been a blast."
- Eric, Ink Blot Media Group (NIO 2024 Attendee)
"The discussion on AI has been really, really helpful. I think there is a lot of apprehension about AI and fear that it's going to take your job, and the discussions at NIO have helped give practical application and confidence in using it in my daily duties."
- Cory, The Leadership Institute (NIO 2024 Attendee)
"The NIO Summit has been the most incredible and exciting conference I have ever been to. It has it's own culture and it's like a family reunion, and now I am a part of that family!"
- Danny Cantrell, Powered By Text (2024 NIO Summit Sponsor)
"The summit has been phenomenal. The sessions are engaging, there actionable, there insightful, the exhibits are fun and the theme has been the best I have ever seen at a conference!"
- Brad, KGH Foundation (NIO 2024 Attendee)
"I love the short sessions and all the different topics that are covered. It really is amazing how much I learned in just 2 days."
- Katherine, UC Berkely (NIO 2024 Attendee)
"The NIO Summit has been great. The speakers are amazing. I have learned so much about how to market to my donors and how to build relationships with them."
- Justine, CRU (NIO 2024 Attendee)
"Just walking through the front door, NIO is already set a part from all other conferences we have been to. The attendees have been great and we are loving it!"
- Aleksandra, Dataro (2024 NIO Summit Sponsor)

Pre-Summit Workshop on Recurring Donor Acquisition

Most conversations about what works to grow recurring revenue lack substantial data and evidence. While it can be inspiring to see examples from complex organizations that are seemingly “doing it right”, building and growing your recurring giving program doesn’t have to be as complicated as some would have you think.

In this optional workshop from NextAfter, we’ll demystify what it really takes to acquire new recurring donors and build a more sustainable revenue source for your organization.

Over the duration of this workshop, you will discover:

✔️ The power and impact of investing in a sustainable recurring giving program.

✔️ Tangible strategies to prompt one-time donors to give monthly—and even upgrade after their first gift.

✔️ How to develop and launch a dedicated recurring giving acquisition campaign.

✔️ Methods for automating your recurring giving acquisition so you can keep bringing in new recurring donors all year long.

We will have many hands-on activities planned during this workshop to make sure you walk away with concrete applications that you can implement in your fundraising program right away. So be sure to bring a laptop with you so you can get to work along with your colleagues and peers!

***The additional workshop fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and beverage breaks.

Add Your Pre-Summit Workshop Below

You're One Step Away From Securing Your Savings to NIO 2025

If you’re ready to grow your fundraising and make a bigger impact, this is your chance to invest in yourself and your mission. Use code “GIGAWATT25″ below to save $200!

Back to the future: back to kansas city!

NIO Summit 2025 will take you (back) to the Kansas City Music Hall in Kansas City, MO on Sept. 30 – Oct. 2, 2025.

We have a block of rooms reserved at a discounted rate at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown.

Kansas City Marriott Downtown

200 West 12th Street

Kansas City, MO 64105

Just across the street from Kansas City Music Hall!

Book My Room

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The Nonprofit Innovation & Optimization Summit (NIO) is presented by NextAfter.

5810 Tennyson Pkwy, Suite 102, Plano, TX 75024

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Jeff Giddens

Topic: Communication

The Future of Fundraising Starts in the Heart

Jeff Giddens is a digital marketing and fundraiser with over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. He serves as the President at NextAfter, a nonprofit fundraising consultancy and training institute that helps organizations raise more funds, acquire more donors, and achieve their mission. Jeff has a passion for helping nonprofits use digital marketing and fundraising strategies to make a greater impact in the world. He is an experienced speaker and trainer, having conducted hundreds of workshops and speaking engagements around the world. He has worked with a wide variety of nonprofits, from small local organizations to large international charities.

In his role at NextAfter, Jeff leads a team of experts who conduct research, testing, and analysis on digital fundraising and marketing strategies. He helps nonprofits apply the latest research and best practices to their campaigns, with a focus on data-driven decision making, optimization, and continuous improvement.

Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Jeff, his wife, and four kids live in Dallas, Texas. Jeff is a graduate of Abilene Christian University, where he majored in communication.

Jonathan Pontell

Jonathan Pontell

Topic: Marketing to the Generations

Philanthropy’s Hidden Goldmine: Meet Generation Jones

Jonathan Pontell is a widely-acclaimed writer, business and political advisor, and cultural commentator. He is the person who identified the existence of, and coined the name for, Generation Jones, and is generally viewed as its global authority. He has spoken often about Gen Jones on numerous TV networks, including NBC, BBC, CNN, Fox News Channel and CBS. He has advised various world leaders about Gen Jones voters, including several European Prime Ministers as well as U.S. Presidents. He has advised numerous Fortune 500 companies about Generation Jones consumers, including three of the largest 10 corporations in the world. Jonathan’s background combines a strong academic grounding in sociology and other social sciences, along with exceptional business success as an entrepreneur. Educated at Cambridge University (U.K.), Jonathan is a life-long student of life, constantly absorbing new lessons, including in the over 100 countries he has traveled to.

Andy Crestodina

Topic: Marketing with AI

AI for Content Strategy and Lead Generation

Andy Crestodina is a co-founder and CMO of Orbit Media, an award-winning 50-person digital agency in Chicago.Over the past 24 years, Andy’s provided guidance to 1000+ businesses. He’s written hundreds of articles on content strategy, SEO, GA4, AI and visitor psychology. He’s also the author of Content Chemistry: The Illustrated Handbook for Content Marketing.

  • Top 10 Online Marketing Experts, Forbes 
  • Top 50 Marketing Influencer, Entrepreneur Magazine 
  • Top 25 Content Marketers, Express Writers/Buzzsumo
  • Top 10 Social Media Influencers, Social Media Explorer

Nancy Harhut

Topic: Behavioral Science in Digital Marketing

5 Messaging Moves That Raise Eyebrows…And Response Rates

Nancy helps you get people to do what you want them to do. A sought-after, top-ranked speaker, she’s wowed audiences with high-energy, example-jammed sessions in London, Moscow, Madrid, Stockholm, Sao Paulo, Sydney and all over the US, revealing the impact of behavioral science on marketing.

The Co-founder of HBT Marketing, Nancy’s been named an Online Marketing Institute Top 40 Digital Strategist, Social Top 50 email marketing leader, and the winner of numerous International ECHO awards for marketing effectiveness. She has spearheaded campaigns for clients such as AARP, AT&T, IBM, Dell, Nationwide, TripAdvisor, SOS Children’s Villages, the Boys and Girls Club, and more.

Nancy is the author of the award-winning “Using Behavioral Science in Marketing, Drive customer action and loyalty by prompting instinctive responses” published by Kogan Page, named a Hot New Release by Amazon, and currently being translated into 9 languages.

Woodrow rosenbaum

Topic: GivingTuesday Data Trends

Growing Giving: Leveraging GivingTuesday Data Trends for Year-End Fundraising Strategies

As Chief Data Officer for GivingTuesday, Woodrow has been instrumental in shaping the global generosity movement and has led ground-breaking research and analysis of individual giving behaviors. He leads the GivingTuesday Data Commons, bringing together a coalition of more than 2,000 collaborators coordinated through eight working groups as well as data teams around the world to understand the drivers and impacts of generosity to inspire more giving of all types. Woodrow brings expertise in moving markets and transforming audiences from passive participants to active and vocal ambassadors. Woodrow is also the founder of With Intent Strategies, an international agency specializing in brand reimagination.

Woodrow is a member of the Generosity Commission Research Task Force, is a past Co-Chair for Global Impact Canada’s Board of Directors where he now serves as strategic advisor, and was previously a Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School.

Ardee Coolidge

Topic: Communication

The Future Isn’t Fixed: How Fundraisers Can Rewrite the Story—One Relentless Yes at a Time

Ardee believes that the best fundraising and marketing connects with someone’s heart and empowers them to be a better person than they were before.

In an age of “click bait” and robotic campaigns that treat people like cogs in a machine rather than human beings, there’s greater opportunity than ever for fundraisers to leverage digital technology to meaningfully create value for donors at scale.

The world’s challenges have increased in complexity but the solution to the crises we see today remains the same: people are relentlessly committed to bettering their communities through generosity and service, and that’s what fundraisers get to help unleash every single day.

Before Next After, Ardee spent his career working for three national nonprofits helping them scale their marketing and fundraising efforts to achieve success through constant testing and optimization. He helped grow one organization’s email file by more than 550% and their monthly donor program by 300%.

Ardee and his wife Christina have four children and live in West Virginia.

Moni Oloyede

Topic: Marketing Attribution

Marketing Attribution Is a Scam: How to Make Better Decisions Without It

Moni Oloyede is a marketing strategist, educator, and the founder of MO MarTech—a consultancy built to help business owners stop guessing and start building marketing that actually works.

With a master’s degree in Marketing from Johns Hopkins and over a decade in the digital trenches, Moni has seen every tactic, hack, and shiny object that promised results but delivered noise.

Moni’s approach is direct, strategic, and built for the long haul. She teaches the psychology behind marketing, the structure behind communication, and the mindset shift required to stop chasing trends and start connecting with real people.

Whether she’s teaching a room full of founders, coaching nonprofits, or calling out broken marketing logic on LinkedIn, Moni’s goal is the same: to make marketing make sense—for people who don’t have time to waste.

Nick Marino Jr.

Topic: Storytelling

Storytelling That Sticks: How to Craft Digital Narratives That Drive Long-Term Giving

Nick Marino Jr., a 2025 Dallas Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, is a changemaker rooted in Garland, Texas and now based in Plano. For over a decade, Nick has mobilized communities to create meaningful local impact through innovative volunteerism and social good initiatives. He is the founder of Tango Charities, which produces Feed The City—one of the most inclusive and diverse volunteer events in the country. Under his leadership, Tango Charities has hosted over 1,900 events across five countries, 18 states, and 73 cities, uniting more than 100,000 volunteers and providing over 7.5 million meals to people in need.

In August 2024, Nick joined the Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) to lead the Center for Business Impact, where his team oversees the distribution of over $10M annually from their member businesses. The Center for Business Impact is a central resource for businesses looking to empower their employees and contribute to a thriving, equitable community. Building on the foundation laid by CFT’s previous programs, including the CFT for Business and Entrepreneurs for North Texas, the Center offers comprehensive services to help businesses of all sizes maximize their social impact. These services include grantmaking, employee volunteer opportunities, philanthropic training, board placement, and internship facilitation. Additionally, the Center offers guidance on corporate social responsibility, corporate philanthropy, as well as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs, aiming to create a lasting community impact through business engagement.

Before his role at the Communities Foundation of Texas, Nick was part of the founding team and, for over six years, was the Senior Director of Marketing at Curis Functional Health, which has been named in the top 7% of the fastest-growing companies in America for the past three years in the Inc. 5000. Under Nick’s marketing leadership the company grew from one location in North Dallas to 60+ locations, spanning 11 states. Nick remains a partner in Curis to this day.

Looking ahead to 2025, Nick is set to launch the inaugural installment of his groundbreaking children’s book series, “Nico Makes A Difference.” These heartwarming stories are designed to empower children aged eight and under, teaching them how to make a meaningful impact in their communities from a young age.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Nick is married to his wife, Amber, and recently welcomed their daughter, Aria, to their family, which also includes their Goldendoodle, Nala. Nick’s life’s purpose is profound: to create opportunities for individuals to engage in acts of benevolence and live with a profound sense of purpose. His journey is an inspiring testament to the transformative power of dedication and compassion.

Jessica Best

Topic: Email Marketing

Fast Pass to the Future: Email Marketing List Growth… the RIGHT Way

Jessica Best has over 15 years of experience in email marketing, CRM, and permission-based data-driven marketing. She’s helped clients drive revenue from customer data in industries such as Restaurant and Hospitality, Travel, Retail, eCommerce, Nonprofit, Universities and more. She’s taught marketers from New York City to Barcelona, from Vancouver to Dublin, and even at SXSW Interactive in Austin. Jessica is the Owner and Chief Strategist of BetterAve, a consultancy focused on implementing the marketing best practices and MarTech harmony she preaches on stage for her clients.

John Michael Morgan

Topic: Abundance Mindset

The Mindset Delorean: Built to Go Beyond Limits

Entrepreneur Magazine calls best-selling author John Michael Morgan the Chuck Norris of branding and mindset. For over 16 years he has been one of the world’s elite consultants helping entrepreneurs, leaders, pastors, artists, and brands such as Starbucks, Disney, Google, Nissan, BMW, McDonald’s, Twitter, and more.

He’s delivered keynote speeches around the world on the topics of mindset and marketing. He is known for his energy, humor, storytelling, and passion in helping you achieve your goals.

JMM is a native of Nashville TN where he still resides today with his wife of over 20 years and their two children.

Anthony Jones

Topic: Change

Future-Proofing Your Fundraising: Three Key Metrics to Boost Generosity

Anthony Jones is the founder of Anthony Jones Consulting, a firm that’s carved out a niche in personal branding and LinkedIn growth strategies, particularly in the non-profit sector.

His journey in the digital world began over two decades ago at Ducks Unlimited, where he had the privilege of building and leading a digital marketing team. Together, they achieved significant milestones, such as raising $40 through online donations and growing a vibrant social media base of more than 2 million followers.

Yet, it was Anthony’s exploration of LinkedIn that marked a significant pivot in his career. Originally utilized as an additional marketing channel for Ducks Unlimited, LinkedIn quickly emerged as a new platform for Anthony’s personal and professional growth. His engaging content and strategic connections on the platform reached millions and led to a series of speaking engagements, podcast appearances, and eventually, a small consulting business on the side.

In 2021, Anthony took the entrepreneurial leap, founding a full-time consulting agency with a straightforward mission: to assist clients in crafting genuine personal brands that magnetically draw engagement, unlock new opportunities, and catalyze business growth.