Opening Keynote: Kyle McLean, Market Vice President @ CIBC | MBA, Finance

Topic: Impact and Fallout from Market Uncertainty

Key Takeaways:

• Non-profits contribute 8.3% of Canada’s GDP ($182B) and employ 2.8M Canadians—1 in 10 workers.
• They deliver essential services, create jobs, and foster economic participation.
• Yet, the sector faces rising demand, funding shortfalls, and barriers to growth.

Elizabeth Farrell, CPA, CA, FCPA, FCA is an Adjunct Professor at the Schulich School of Business

Topic: ASNFPO: Update 2025

This session will provide an information update on recent revisions to the CPA Canada Handbook – Part III, Accounting Standards for Not-for-Profit Organizations (ASNFPO). In addition, revisions will be discussed to Part II, Accounting Standards for Private Enterprises (ASPE) where they are applicable to NFPOs. Participants will first be provided with an overview of changes to ASNFPO, followed by discussion of major projects and impact on NFPOs. Then the revisions and projects in ASPE are discussed that are applicable to NFPOs.  

Key Takeaways: 

• Identify changes and proposed changes to ASNFPO and ASPE (where applicable NFPOs) for NFPOs.
• Explain impact of changes and proposed changes to NFPOs.
• Identify resources to obtain further information on status projects.

Jason Shim, Chief Digital Officer Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience (CCNDR)

Topic: Technology Data & AI Adoption for NFPs - Cultivating Magic with AI: Practical Tools and Tactics

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” How do you translate that magic into results? This session will provide considerations to inform an AI strategy and a candid tour of how AI can be used in nonprofit activities and operations. You'll learn about AI tools and features that are available and how to get useful outcomes. You'll leave with a better understanding of what questions to ask your vendors and how you can keep your organization ahead of the curve.  

Key Takeaways:

• A broad understanding of AI tools and how they can be applied for day-to-day operations.
• An understanding of what AI can and cannot do as well as best practices for ensuring accuracy and mitigating risk.
• Case studies and examples of AI usage in nonprofits.

Richard Leblanc, CPA, CA, Governance Advisor, Lawyer, Author, Public Speaker, Researcher

Topic: What’s Important for Not-for-Profit Boards in 2025

What makes not-for-profit boards uniquely susceptible to governance failure? And what should a director do when they see warning signs? And other directors may be in denial or captured?

Canada is experiencing tectonic change. Canadian not-for-profit boards need to govern “up and forward,” not “here and now,” with force, unity and velocity, for organizations not to be left behind. The country and our companies need the right leaders – and boardrooms – to emerge better, faster and stronger.

The session will focus and include deep dives and immediate takeaways for the following: 

• The most common shortcomings in not-for-profit governance; 
• The most important role of any not-for-profit board; 
• Executive Director reporting and oversight during rapid change; 
• Addressing conflict and dysfunction on a not-for-profit board;  
• Governing under volatility and uncertainty; and 
• Director performance and renewal. 

Mikhael Bornstein, Professional Fundraiser, Public Speaker, AFP Master Trainer, Leadership Researcher

Topic: Fundamentals of Charitable Fundraising

My mentor once said, “Fundraising is easy, but you have to get the basics right.”  I’m not sure fundraising is ever easy, but it is absolutely crucial that you get the basics right. And that is what this webinar is all about.

This session will focus on the essentials of fundraising. We will explore the fundamental principles of effective fundraising, how to measure fundraising results, review the most common forms of fundraising, and learn how to grow your fundraising results.

This session is perfect for those professionals who want to understand charitable fundraising, want to be better able to work effectively with professional fundraisers, or want to be able to grow their own fundraising program.

Key Takeaways:

• Current trends in fundraising and how they impact fundraising practice.
• The three fundamental principles of fundraising.
• The most common metrics in fundraising and how to use them.
• What the best fundraising organizations do to grow their results.

Panel Discussion: Host with Stephen Credico, CPA, Senior Manager, Audit at KPMG Canada | Sessional Instructor | 2024 Emerging Leader

Topic: Ask An Auditor Anything 

Closing Keynote: Carolyn Stewart-Stockwell, Chief Executive Officer at Feed Ontario  

Topic: Surging Demand vs. Constrained Supply 

Feed Ontario is the province’s largest collective of hunger-relief organizations. Together with food banks, industry partners, and local communities, our organization is relieving hunger in communities now, while driving change through research and advocacy to ensure a future where everyone is food secure. Food bank use in Ontario has never been higher. Over 1 million people visited a food bank in this province last year, visiting over 7.6 million times. With such staggering demand for resources, food banks across the province are struggling to keep up. In response, they are growing their capacity, working collaboratively, and having to determine new processes and be more efficient in their operations. Feed Ontario CEO, Carolyn Stewart, will share their organization’s insight on the current provincial food security trends and its impact on local organizations.