Overview
Join AFP Minnesota for our 2025 Annual Meeting and Education Session for an opportunity to pause, connect, and celebrate the good work we’ve done together. Hosted at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, this year’s gathering invites us to reflect on how we sustain ourselves and one another as we advance our missions in “perpetually unprecedented times.”
Through a mix of reflection, small-group conversation, and joyful celebration, we’ll explore:
- What rest and self-care look like for you and your team
- How to celebrate wins—big and small—in a challenging landscape
- Ways to strengthen community and collaboration as we near the end of our strategic plan
Together, we’ll share stories, honor one another’s work, and leave feeling re-energized, reconnected, and reminded of the joy that fuels our impact.
As part of the registration process, we invite attendees to submit someone or something they’d like to celebrate, and we’ll highlight these during the session to spread the kudos and inspiration.
Snacks and light refreshments provided.
Speakers
Courtney Backen, She/Her/Hers
Courtney is the President of AFP-Minnesota and the Senior Director of Community Impact at GiveMN, where she leads giving movements and democratized giving during Give to the Max Day and Give OUT Day, the only national LGBTQ+ giving day. A co-founder of Community-Centric Fundraising in Minnesota, Courtney strives to make fundraising accessible, collaborative, and joyful for practitioners at every level. When she's not deep in a data dashboard, she can be found at her nearest Trader Joe's or Costco searching for the best seasonal snack.
Cecelia Caspram, She/Her/Hers
Cecelia Caspram is a rooted, present leader with a passionate commitment to philanthropy, a Master's-Level Social Worker (MSW), a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), and a practical idealist. In her nearly two decades as a professional fundraiser, she has collaboratively raised hundreds of millions of dollars. She now partners, as a coach and consultant, with mission-focused people and their organizations… to help them grow. Since 2024, she has been the publisher and host of For the Love of Humanity, an online community — including regularly published writing, a podcast, and community conversations — for those who’d like to see “philanthropy" be less of the industry it has become... and return to its roots: love of humanity.
Rachel Hickok, She/Her/Hers
Rachel Hickok, MNM, is a compassionate, values-focused fundraiser who helps teams build the resources they need to thrive. With expertise in improving systems, relationship building, and powerful storytelling, she brings knowledge and enthusiasm to the party. She is known for making fundraising feel energizing rather than daunting, building teams to see their work as an opportunity to grow a stronger community. When not working, you'll find her being the "weird mom," hiking or camping with her family, wow-ing her Girl Scout troop with cool science tricks, or hiding from everyone with a good book.
Agenda
9:00-9:15 AM: Gather and Network
9:15-9:45 AM: Annual Meeting (Courtney Backen)
9:45-10:45 AM: Conversation on Rest and Celebration (Rachel Hickok and Cecelia Caspram)
10:45-11:00 AM: Network and Depart