September Roundtable & Social – Advocacy Essentials for Nonprofits: Building Capacity, Confidence, and Impact
AFP Roundtable and Social
at The Palace Theatre Stamford
Join us for our latest Roundtable Discussion at The Palace Theatre in Stamford! The back-to-back events will take place on Wednesday, September 24th.
The Roundtable is from 4:30 pm-5:30 pm free for members, and $10 for guests. Our topic is Advocacy Essentials for Nonprofits: Building Capacity, Confidence, and Impact.
Join us for a dynamic conversation about advocacy essentials for nonprofits. Advocacy is one of the most effective tools nonprofits can use to advance their mission, but many organizations hold back due to uncertainty about what’s allowed or how to start. In this session, we’ll explore how any nonprofit, regardless of size or budget, can launch or strengthen its advocacy and public policy work while staying compliant with the rules. Whether your organization is new to advocacy or looking to take its policy work to the next level, you’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of the boundaries, practical steps to take action, and inspiration from what’s happening across CT.
Our Roundtables are designed for you to freely ask questions and exchange ideas.
The Social will run from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm and is open to members, guests, and future members. This is a great time to mix and mingle, exchange cards, make friends, and build new relationships. It is also the perfect setting to learn about new opportunities in nonprofits or get more involved with AFP!
The registration fee of $35 for all and includes your first drink and appetizers!
Register Here
Our Presenter:
Ashley Gaudiano – Chief Operating Officer, United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut
Ashley Gaudiano is the Chief Operating Officer at United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut, where she brings extensive expertise in strategy, advocacy, grantmaking, partnership development, fundraising, and marketing. Her work is rooted in fostering connection, driving impact, and creating opportunities for systemic change. Ashley is deeply committed to building a stronger, more equitable Connecticut by centering people, amplifying community voices, and advancing policies that create meaningful and lasting impact.
Prior to joining United Way, Ashley held senior leadership roles at prominent Connecticut nonprofits, including the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants and Wholesome Wave. As Principal of Horizon Communications Group, she has provided strategic guidance to nonprofits in communications, fundraising, advocacy, and more. Ashley earned her Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2011, along with a Certificate in Advocacy, further strengthening her ability to champion community-focused initiatives.
With her breadth of experience across nonprofit leadership, policy advocacy, and strategic communications, Ashley brings a unique perspective to discussions on creating systemic change. She offers valuable insights into building cross-sector partnerships, aligning strategies with community needs, and fostering equity-driven impact at every level.
Our Location:
Our program will be hosted in the Theatre bar lounge.
Don’t miss a behind-the-scenes tour of the Palace Theatre during the social.
Stamford Center for the Arts’ Palace Theatre is the largest (1,636 seats) and longest-running (98 years!) performing arts center in Fairfield County. The Palace Theatre was designed by Thomas Lamb, the famous theatre architect of New York’s earlier Madison Square Garden (1925), The Mark Hellinger Theatre, and The Capitol in Port Chester, to name a few. The Palace continues to bring top entertainment and shows to Stamford. Each year, the Palace provides arts access and education to approximately 1,800 students without regard to financial constraints, making the arts accessible to all, proudly serving as the arts’ gateway to creativity, confidence, and opportunity.
Parking
The closest parking is at Landmark Square with an entrance on Atlantic Street.
Thank you to Our Sponsor:
Rustic Roots is a video storytelling agency that empowers nonprofits to share their impact in deeply meaningful ways. Since 2015, we have partnered with over 115 organizations, producing fundraising-centered videos that resonate emotionally while upholding dignity and agency. Our trauma-informed, donor-driven approach focuses on affordability and ethical storytelling. Want to sharpen your own storytelling skills? Tap into our Nonprofit Video Storytelling Guide, packed with practical insights to streamline your production process, build emotional narratives, and extend your impact beyond one-off videos (rusticroots.co/nonprofit-
Contact Information:
Matthew Reynolds
Founder / Video Storyteller
865-324-0406
Details
Date: Wednesday, September 24th
4:30pm – 5:30pm Roundtable: Advocacy Essentials for Nonprofits: Building Capacity, Confidence, and Impact
5:30pm – 7:30pm Social
Location: The Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT 06901
Roundtable
AFP MEMBERS – FREE
NONMEMBERS – $10
Social Fee
EVERYONE – $35
Register Here
Thank you to Our 2025 Education Series Sponsor:
