Donor Privacy + Fundraising: A Discussion Between a Privacy Expert and Fundraisers

This may be one of the most important conversations you’ll attend about the future of your fundraising program.

If your organization relies on the tools of modern fundraising — retargeting, text messaging, Meta platforms, or data modeling — you may be using technologies that, while effective, also raise serious donor privacy concerns. From tracking pixels to third-party platforms, these tools can inadvertently intrude on donors’ lives, compromise their data security, or even put vulnerable individuals at risk.

In this timely session, a leading online privacy expert from the Center for Democracy and Technology joins experienced fundraisers from the ACLU and the Electronic Frontier Foundation for a candid, nuanced conversation. Together, they’ll explore how digital tools intersect with privacy rights, the ethical tensions that fundraisers face, and what it looks like to prioritize donor trust while meeting your goals.

You’ll leave with actionable harm reduction strategies, clarity around emerging privacy standards, and a better understanding of what’s at stake and what’s possible.