Fundraising Inspiration
At the intersection of creativity, strategy and donor psychology
I’m an international speaker known for delivering dynamic opening and closing plenaries, keynote sessions, and masterclasses that are rooted in insight, evidence, and unflinching honesty. I speak on a wide range of topics across fundraising – including mid-value giving, individual giving, legacy fundraising, in-memory giving, and how to genuinely understand and meet donor needs.
My sessions blend global research findings with creative thinking and real-world experience. I cut through the noise to focus on what actually works – and I’m not afraid to call out the myths, bad habits, or empty buzzwords that too often get in the way of great fundraising. If something’s just fluff, I’ll say so. Fundraisers deserve better than vague inspiration - they need clear, practical ideas they can act on.
Whether I’m delivering a main stage keynote or a hands-on masterclass, my aim is always to challenge, support, and energise fundraisers. I want people to leave not just with notes and ideas, but with a renewed sense of purpose - and the confidence to go and do the work that really matters.
Insight that’s Valued by Fundraisers From Around the World
Things I’ve Been Talking About
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![An elderly man and woman sitting on a sofa, smiling at the camera. The man has white hair and is wearing a patterned sweater, while the woman has short gray hair and is wearing a blue top. The text overlay reads: 'From Entry to Exit. Why Donors Add Charities to Their Wills — and Why They Remove Them.']()
Legacy fundraising
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![Smiling elderly couple walking outdoors in an urban environment with brick buildings, one woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a blue patterned dress, and a man in a denim jacket. Overlaid text reads: 'Why Weathy People Give. Why They Give Less Than They Can. And What You Can Do About It.']()
Mid-value donors
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![Older woman with gray hair and glasses, wearing a floral jacket, standing by the ocean with arms crossed, looking to the right, with a cloudy sky and waves in the background.]()
In-Memory Fundraising
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![An older woman with platinum blonde hair, wearing large tortoiseshell glasses, a black lace top, and spiked jewelry, holding a silver disco ball against a plain gray background.]()
Donor Needs
Where Insight Meets Action
There are few - if any - fundraising speakers who are as consistently insightful, illuminating, challenging and entertaining as Mark. His presentations are always rich in detail, built on real-world insight and delivered with wit and passion. When you see Mark speak you know how much he cares about fundraising and how much he wants us all to do fundraising better. Anytime I've seen Mark speak, I've learned something new and come away inspired and with new ideas to try.
When we're programming The Fundraising Summer School, Mark has always been one of our go-to speakers. We know he'll deliver, and we know audiences will go away informed, inspired and entertained.
Damian O’Broin
CEO of Ask Direct and Founder of The Fundraising Summer School
There are many would-be inspirational speakers around these days. Some are truly inspiring, some are entertaining, some are hugely experienced and perceptive so have great content, though only a very select few could be deemed a visionary, really worth listening to. But few have all of these qualities in abundance.
Mark Phillips is that rare individual that you really should listen to as often and as intently as you can. Not just for what you’ll learn, but for how he’ll clear your vision and focus your priorities while enlightening, entertaining and inspiring you. But more than that, he’ll show you how rich and rewarding the future of fundraising might be. Don’t miss him.
Ken Burnett
Fundraising genius and author of Relationship Fundraising
Rare Insight. Real Impact. Unmissable.
Presentations That Raise the Bar
Your presentation at the Conference was great, it was what the audience needed. Thank you once again for your participation and the sessions.
Your sessions were rated at 99% and 97%. That’s a very high score. Congratulations!
Robert Kawalko
President and CEO at Polish Fundraising Association
Insightful, Practical, and a Hit with the Audience
Mark ran several sessions at the 2025 Fundraising Institute Australia Conference in Sydney, and they were a real hit with delegates. His talks were engaging, down-to-earth, and packed with useful takeaways that fundraisers could relate to and apply right away.
He brought great energy, humour, and fresh insights, backed by solid research and real-world examples. Mark also took the time to understand the audience and tailor his content to what really mattered to them.
It’s no surprise his sessions were some of the most popular and highly rated at the conference.
Ross Anderson
Co-Chair Gifts in Wills Track. FIA Conference 2025