On June 5, 2025, Sofia hosted an event that offered a fresh perspective on the fundraising profession and demonstrated that solidarity is not just an emotion, but a strategy for the future. The international conference “Fundraising in Challenging Times”, organized by the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law (BCNL) at the initiative of the Fundraising Club Bulgaria, brought together over 200 participants — representatives of non-governmental organizations, donors, business leaders, and experts from across Europe.
Over the course of 11 sessions and with more than 30 international and Bulgarian speakers, the conference explored not only new technologies and approaches to fundraising, but also raised deeply moral and societal questions: How can civil liberties be defended in a shrinking democratic space? How can giving become an act of resistance and commitment?
To speak about what you believe in
From the very beginning of the conference, it became clear that fundraising today is not just a skill or a technical tool. It is deeply rooted in values, ethics, and a public stance. As British expert Richard Docwra noted: “Don’t try to please everyone. Speak clearly about what you believe in.”
This message echoed throughout all panels and personal stories shared during the forum – from the campaign led by Slovak journalist Michal Kovačič, which raised over €500,000 in just a few days in response to injustice, to digital mobilizations where emotion is transformed into concrete action.
Anger as the engine, solidarity as the direction
The conference emphasized that emotions — anger, hope, empathy — are not just human reactions, but resources that fundraisers can channel in support of their causes. Björn Lampe from Germany captured the power of this transformation with the words: “Anger is helplessness. Solidarity is action.”
This is precisely what sets inspiring campaigns apart from simply good ones — the ability to turn emotional reaction into tangible solutions, and personal pain into collective commitment.
When civil society is not a choice
A key focus of the program was the role of the professional fundraiser — the person behind the scenes of every successful cause. Over the past two decades, Bulgaria has seen the rise of a community of experts who do more than just raise funds — they build trust, relationships, and real change. They are the bridge between need and resource, between an idea and its realization.
Today, as authoritarian tendencies, disinformation, and apathy erode the foundations of democracy, this profession is more essential and more accountable than ever. “People don’t donate because they fully understand what you do. They donate because they trust you,” shared Eduard Marček from Slovakia.
Actor and activist Aleksandar Alexiev reminded us that we don’t need to reinvent the wheel: “Deeds, not words,” he said, quoting the Apostle Levski. Aleksandar urged that the time to act is now. It is precisely the deeds of fundraisers that move organizations forward and transform giving from a transaction into a true act of transformation.
Unity as the answer
The strongest message of the event was clear: the future of giving does not lie in lone heroes, but in collective effort. Whether it’s national campaigns or local initiatives, it is when people work together — across borders, languages, and differences — that results go beyond numbers. They become a new reality.
“When we unite — around causes, around ideas, around democratic values — we make a difference. And every donated amount is much more than money; it’s a voice, an action, and a message: we are here, and we care,” concluded Nadya Shabani, Director of the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law.
Fundraising Club Bulgaria – the heart of change
The host and driving force behind the event was Fundraising Club Bulgaria – a professional community uniting over 40 fundraisers from more than 25 organizations. The Club’s mission is to advance professional standards in fundraising, promote ethical giving, and foster a culture of transparency and accountability.
Membership is open to anyone working with causes who believes that change begins with commitment and culminates in community. Fundraising Club Bulgaria is not just a network – it is a platform for shared learning, mutual support, and collective impact in the name of a more just and engaged society.
Fundraising in Challenging Times was not just a conference. It was an act of unity. An act of faith in our shared ability to do more. Together.
The event is initiated by the Fundraising Club Bulgaria and organized by the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law, in partnership with the European Fundraising Association (EFA) and with the financial support of the European Union and the America for Bulgaria Foundation.
