Fundraising is often celebrated through success stories: the big wins, the breakthrough campaigns, the inspirational numbers. But behind every success lie the countless experiments, risks, and ideas that didn’t quite land. These stories of failure are rarely shared, but they contain critical lessons for our work and our sector. Some of our most valuable insights are never being talked about.
This interactive discussion will be a safe, open space to talk honestly about the things that didn’t work and what they taught us along the way. By normalising failure, we can move past fear and shame to build cultures that encourage experimentation, resilience, and growth.
This session will explore:
- Why failure remains so difficult to talk about in fundraising.
- The personal and organisational impact of failed projects or campaigns.
- Ways to turn setbacks into learning and innovation.
- What a healthier relationship with risk and failure could look like for our sector.
Join us for a conversation that will go beyond polished case studies to the realities of trial and error in fundraising. You’ll leave with practical insights, a sense of solidarity, and—we hope—a renewed willingness to take risks.