Speaking & Workshops
Todd Hiestand speaks at conferences, association gatherings, and nonprofit team retreats about rethinking donor engagement. His talks are built around the Four Spaces framework from The Welcoming Nonprofit, with a focus on giving attendees something practical they can use immediately.
With over 20 years of experience speaking to audiences of all sizes, Todd knows how to hold a room and make complex ideas feel accessible. He brings two decades of nonprofit leadership, including 14 years running a community-based organization, and co-founding Liminal, a brand strategy agency for nonprofits.
Session Formats
Conference Seminar
(45–60 minutes)
An introduction to the Four Spaces framework and why funnels fail most nonprofits. Best for conference breakout sessions where attendees want a fresh perspective and a few practical takeaways they can bring back to their teams.
Workshop
(90 minutes)
A hands-on session where attendees work through the Sidewalk Statement exercise from the book. They'll leave with a clear, speakable sentence that introduces their organization in 15 words or fewer. Great for staff retreats, board development days, or conference workshops.
Intensive
(Half-day)
A deeper dive into the full Four Spaces framework. Teams audit their current donor engagement approach, identify where their messaging breaks down, and begin building a communications strategy that meets people where they are instead of pushing them through a pipeline. Ideal for leadership teams and organizations in transition.
Popular Topics
Funnels Are Broken
Why the donor pipeline model is failing and what to do instead
The Sidewalk Statement
Crafting a single sentence that gives people the freedom to lean in or move on
The Four Spaces
A new framework for building trust, belonging, and sustainable support
Hospitality Over Hustle
What it looks like when nonprofits stop selling and start welcoming
A Good Fit For
Nonprofit conferences and associations, community foundations, university advancement teams, faith-based organizations, and leadership development programs.