The Better Way Table Series

An intimate, invitation-only dinner series for nonprofit leaders, thought leaders, and innovative practitioners exploring a Better Way forward.

Wonderful people representing incredibly important missions and movements. The conversation was rich with knowledge, humor, humility, and experience. What a blessing! It was a real privilege, and there is much to chew on beyond the great meal we shared. One theme that stood out was the idea of thoughtfully and intentionally guiding the experiences of donors, volunteers, and future donors. How can we curate and set apart those experiences so people connect deeply with the mission, not just with us as its representatives? That was just one of many meaningful topics of conversations. Grateful for the time, the wisdom, and the opportunity to learn.

Thank you for bringing together such an outstanding group of people and creating an environment for thoughtful dialogue, new perspectives, and a shared vision for the future of fundraising. The conversations were both practical and aspirational—a balance that challenged and expanded my thinking in meaningful ways. I left energized, encouraged, and inspired. The impact will undoubtedly extend far beyond the event itself, and I’m grateful to have been part of it.

This was such a great night with valuable conversations. New contacts made, and the road ahead looks amazing yet challenging in a great way! Thank you all for the fellowship and conversations.

The conversation was energizing and the fellowship among peers was rich. Exciting days ahead! Very grateful to be a part of this very special gathering.

Compelling Conversations About the Future of Fundraising

Hosted by Derric Bakker, bestselling author of A Better Way to Fundraise, Better Way Table events are unique opportunities to connect with the most innovative thinkers in fundraising. These gatherings bring together nonprofit leaders, thought leaders, and innovative practitioners for candid conversations about how the sector can build a Better Way forward.

Not a presentation. Not a pitch.

A dinner conversation.

Invitation Only

Curated, peer-leveled gatherings for senior nonprofit executives, influential thought leaders, and innovative practitioners.

Rooted In Hospitality

Warm atmosphere, excellent food, good drinks, attentive service, and an unhurried setting.

Conversation First

Designed for candid, open discussion — no scripted programs and no sales pitch.

Constructive By Design

These conversations are not rehashing what is broken; they're about reimagining what is possible.

The Better Way Table Experience

Those who know Derric know that hospitality is one of his gifts. He is well known for gathering people around a table, hosting dinners in his home, and creating space for thoughtful conversations on the porch. The Better Way Table carries that same spirit into cities across the country.

Every venue is carefully selected to support that experience; a warm atmosphere, excellent food, good drinks, attentive service, and an unhurried setting that helps people relax, connect, and move beyond surface-level networking into candid, generous conversation.

Why It Exists

Fundraising is changing. Donor expectations are shifting. Traditional approaches are producing diminishing returns.

At the same time, new tools like AI, automation, data collection, personalization, and digital engagement are creating new possibilities to strengthen donor relationships at greater scale.

The Better Way Table exists to help nonprofit leaders step outside the pressure of day-to-day execution and engage in the larger questions shaping the future of fundraising.

What is changing in donor behavior?
What inherited assumptions need to be challenged?
How can technology strengthen — rather than replace — human connection?
How can organizations build trust, express gratitude, personalize engagement, and treat every donor with greater care?
What would it look like to create a Better Way forward?

The central question: How can the nonprofit sector move beyond traditional fundraising and build deeper, more durable relationships at scale?

How The Series Works

Better Way Table events are held in cities across the country and are often scheduled alongside major nonprofit, fundraising, or sector-related conferences and gatherings. This allows each Better Way Table to bring together both local nonprofit leaders and executives already traveling to the area for a relevant event.

When selecting event locations, we also look for local or sector-specific Better Way Champions to help support the event — respected leaders, partners, or organizations that understand the spirit of the Better Way conversation and can help ensure the right people are in the room.

These Champions help shape the invitation list, make introductions, extend personal invitations, and encourage attendance, functionally serving as co-hosts for the event.

Depending on the topic and setting, an event may also feature a special guest, discussion leader, or co-sponsor with particular expertise and alignment related to the theme.

City-Based Gatherings

Events are hosted in strategic cities across the country where top innovators have the opportunity to participate

Conference-Adjacent Timing

Many dinners are scheduled alongside relevant nonprofit or fundraising gatherings

Better Way Champions

Local or sector-specific leaders help shape the room and extend personal invitations to the right people

Topic-Centered Discussions

Each dinner centers on a topic explored in A Better Way to Fundraise to keep conversation flowing and impactful

What Happens At the Table

Each Better Way Table is organized around a timely topic shaping the future of fundraising. The format is intentionally conversational. Guests are invited not simply to listen, but to contribute, sharing insights, questions, challenges, and practical experiences from their own leadership context.

The goal is not to deliver a scripted program, but to create the conditions for a meaningful conversation: the right people, the right topic, the right setting, and enough space for honest exchange.

Past and planned topics include:

Generational Giving
Donor Retention
AI Ethics
Emerging Technology
Donor Expectations
Relational Fundraising at Scale

Sample Itinerary:

6:00-6:30 Cocktail Reception

Guests arrive, connect informally, and settle into the evening over cocktails and conversation.

6:30-6:45 Dinner Seating & Opening Remarks

Guests are seated for dinner. The host welcomes the room, offers brief opening remarks and gives simple instructions for the evening.

6:45-8:00 Table Discussion Over Dinner

The discussion topic is introduced, with questions printed on tent cards at each table. Guests discuss the prompts among themselves over dinner, sharing insights, questions, and practical experiences.

8:00-8:35 Dessert & Group Share-Out

As dessert is served, the host shares a few of the ideas that surfaced at his table and then invites guests from other tables to share their primary insights. This often leads to additional discussion at the broader group level.

8:35-8:50 Concluding Remarks

The host closes the evening with a few concluding reflections and any next-step invitations.

8:50-9:00 Adjournment

The formal event is adjourned.

Optional Afterglow: Many evenings also include an opportunity to continue the conversation in a spontaneous afterglow for those who wish to linger a little longer.

The Better Way Perspective

Much of the conversation at the Better Way Table centers around Derric’s bestselling book, A Better Way to Fundraise: Treat Every Donor Like a Major Donor.

At the heart of this book, there’s a simple conviction: the future of fundraising will belong to organizations that move beyond transactional fundraising and build deeper, more durable donor relationships rooted in listening, personalization, gratitude, trust, and long-term engagement.

The Better Way is not about chasing novelty. It’s about challenging assumptions, learning from what is changing, and exploring practical ways nonprofits can strengthen generosity and the donor experience.

At the center are the 7 Core Behaviors, once reserved for top donors, that can now extend across the entire donor base.

At Better Way Table events, each guest receives a complementary signed copy of A Better Way to Fundraise as part of the experience.

About Derric Bakker

Derric Bakker has more than thirty years of experience in fundraising as a practitioner, consultant, and agency leader. After working in nonprofit organizations throughout the 1990s, he shifted into consulting and founded DickersonBakker, a nationally recognized advancement solutions firm where he currently serves as CEO.

No Cost & No Sales Pitch

There is no cost for invited guests to attend The Better Way Table. Event costs are covered by DickersonBakker and, in some cases, a select number of like-minded partners who are invited to co-sponsor a particular gathering.

While the events are sponsored, they are not sales presentations. Sponsors and partners participate as contributors to the conversation, not as vendors making a pitch. The purpose of The Better Way Table is to create space for meaningful dialogue, thoughtful connection, and shared exploration of ideas that can help move the nonprofit sector forward.

After the event, sponsoring organizations are welcome to follow up with guests where there is mutual interest in continuing the conversation. The goal is to foster genuine connection and practical next steps, not to turn the dinner itself into a sales pitch.

No Guest Cost

The experience is covered by DickersonBakker and select like-minded partners.

Sponsors Contribute

Partners participate as thoughtful contributors, not vendors delivering a pitch.

Attendee Followup

Sponsors may follow up when there is mutual interest in continuing the conversation.

Connection First

The dinner itself remains focused on meaningful dialogue and shared exploration.

Get Involved with the Better Way Table

Want to bring the Better Way Table Series to your city? Let us know how you’d like to be involved.

While we can’t promise to host an event for every request, we are actively planning events in 2027 and beyond. Submitting this form is the best way to get a Better Way Table scheduled in your hometown.

Want to get on the invitation list for a future event?

The best way to improve your chances at receiving an invitation is to become active in the Better Way Champions community. Click here to join.