Direct Mail That Delivers:
Practical Annual Fund Strategies You Can Use

Direct mail continues to be one of the most effective fundraising channels—but what actually motivates donors to open, read, and respond?

Join Women in Development of Greater Boston for an interactive panel discussion featuring fundraising and direct response experts from both agencies and nonprofit organizations. Whether you work at a large institution or a small nonprofit, you'll leave with practical ideas you can immediately apply to your next annual fund appeal.

Our panelists will share what's working today, what they've tested (and learned), and how they're adapting their strategies in an increasingly digital world. Bring your questions, exchange ideas with fellow fundraising professionals, and expand your annual fund toolkit.

Anticipated Takeaways: Participants will:

• Learn current best practices and emerging trends in annual fund direct mail.
• Gain practical ideas they can implement in upcoming fundraising campaigns.
• Compare strategies used by organizations of different sizes and missions.
• Connect with peers to exchange ideas, challenges, and successes.
• Leave with actionable tips to improve donor engagement and response rates

Panelists:

Caitlyn Burke, Director of Advancement, Herren Project
Laura Dill, Director of Annual Giving, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
Dan Noonan, Executive Vice President, BCG Connect 

Wednesday, October 14

 11am-1pm 

 Non-Profit Center, 89 South Street, Boston

Registration: $30 for WID members (through Friday, 10/9/26)
$45 for non-members (and members who register late, after Friday, 10/9/26)

No refunds within 7 days of the program. 
SPACE IS LIMITED

Feel free to bring your lunch.

REGISTER

   Caitlyn Burke  
Caitlyn Burke is the Director of Advancement at Herren Project, a national nonprofit providing free resources and support for prevention, recovery, and resilience. She brings over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, previously servinas the Associate Director of Donor Engagement at Brookline Community Foundation. Caitlyn holds a bachelor’s degree from Saint Michael’s College and an MBA from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. She is a Certified FundRaising Executive (CFRE) and an alumna of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. Outside of work, Caitlyn enjoys running, reading, and spending time on the South Shore and Cape with her partner Mike and their dog, Mickey Sue.

Laura Dill
Laura Dill is a fundraising professional with more than 20 years of experience in annual giving, direct response, donor engagement, and philanthropy. Her career has taken her across a wide range of missions, including public radio, wildlife conservation, healthcare, and higher education, with roles at Wisconsin Public Radio, Lincoln Park Zoo, the New England Aquarium, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Olin College of Engineering.

Throughout Laura's career, she has been drawn to the creative side of direct response: understanding an audience, finding the story that will connect with them, and developing campaigns that inspire people to act. She has led integrated fundraising programs across direct mail, email, digital communications, social media, stewardship, and personal outreach, always with an eye toward testing, learning, and building stronger donor relationships.

Laura believes the best direct response fundraising is both an art and a science. Data can tell you what is working, but curiosity, creativity, and a good story are often what make someone stop, pay attention, and ultimately decide to give.

   Dan Noonan
Dan Noonan is the Executive Vice President at BCG Connect. BCG Connect is a family owned and operated business specializing in helping organizations with their direct marketing programs.

Dan has been with BCG over 20 years and has been instrumental in helping establish long-lasting relationships with fundraising clients throughout New England.

Dan works with a diverse group of nonprofit and education clients to help them develop and implement direct marketing programs and creative projects that exceed their goals.

He lives in Boston with his wife and two young children who keep him very busy.