Fundraising from the Gulf is not the same as fundraising anywhere else.

From Shariah-compliant giving and Zakat structures, to cross-border regulations, donor privacy expectations, and relationship-led philanthropy, organisations based in the Gulf face a very distinct fundraising landscape when engaging international donors.

Webinar Details

Join us on 26 February at 14:00 GMT / 15:00 CET for a webinar on International Fundraising in the Gulf.

We are honoured to be joined by two highly experienced speakers:

Rivka AZOULAY — an international fundraising strategist with 15+ years of experience across the MENA and GCC regions, securing major funding partnerships with governments, development banks, foundations, and high-net-worth donors supporting humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding initiatives.

Karima ANBAR — a former French diplomat and philanthropy leader, founding Executive Director of the Intisar Foundation, with extensive experience building donor partnerships and mobilising resources across the Arab world.

In this session, we’ll explore:

• How Gulf-based donors approach international giving
• Compliance, due diligence, and cross-border transfers
• Aligning fundraising strategies with regional values and norms
• Building trust and long-term donor relationships
• Common mistakes international fundraisers make in the Gulf

Pre-register now

If you can’t attend live, pre-register to receive the recording afterwards.

Previous webinars

As a non-profit organisation, international fundraising is crucial for your success. However, it can be challenging to navigate. That’s where our webinars come in – they are here to help you! Our friendly experts have compiled a range of hints and tips to make your fundraising efforts a success.

Chapel & York is pleased to announce two upcoming editions of its Philanthropy Breakfast Series in Geneva. Both events will be casual and discussion-led, using a Chatham House–style approach to support open and candid conversation.

Giving Vehicles in 2026

Date: Thursday, February 5 | 8:30–10:00

Details: This session will be co-hosted by Walder Wyss and will bring together a small group of peers for a candid, discussion-led conversation on giving vehicles and how they are being used in practice.

Venue: Details shared on confirmation

Audience: Wealth advisors, private bankers, lawyers, family office representatives, and philanthropy professionals

Fundraising in Freefall

Date: Friday, February 6 | 8:30–10:00

Details: This breakfast is focused on fundraising and NGO perspectives and looks at how organizations are navigating the 2026 funding environment following a challenging 2025

Venue: Details shared on confirmation

Audience: Fundraisers and NGO leaders

RSVP

Please don’t hesitate to email events@chapel-york.com to RSVP, we hope to see you in person soon!

This week in Geneva, Chapel & York hosted an insightful breakfast discussion bringing together leaders from across the philanthropy and wealth sectors to unpack one of the most pressing topics of 2025: cross-border giving in a time of policy and regulatory change.

Key Themes

From U.S. tax policy shifts to increasing complexity in international compliance, one thing became clear — global philanthropy is entering a new chapter that demands clarity, collaboration, and adaptability.

Our expert panellists

A huge thank you to our panellists for sharing their deep experience and candid insights:

• Nancy Bikson, Chapel & York
• Vincent Pfammatter, Walder Wyss Ltd
• Katharina Samara-Wickrama, Helia Collaborative

And to our moderator:

• Kelsi Kriitmaa, PhD, Kriitmaa Coaching and Consulting

And to everyone who joined us for the discussion – your questions and perspectives made it an engaging and constructive exchange.

What’s next

At Chapel & York, we’re proud to help bridge these global conversations and support funders, advisors, and nonprofits in navigating international giving with confidence.

Stay tuned for details on our next Geneva event in February 2026 in this new series of Philanthropy Breakfast Conversations.

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are reshaping charitable giving, with billions distributed annually to nonprofits. Yet many organisations are still uncertain about how to make the most of this opportunity.

What you’ll learn

• What DAFs are and how they work
• Who makes the giving decisions
• How to identify and cultivate DAF donors
• The key opportunities (and pitfalls) to be aware of

Pre-register now

Our expert presenters, Nancy Bikson and Kurstin Finch Gnehm of Chapel & York, will share practical strategies and answer your questions, so you leave with the tools to confidently approach DAF fundraising.

We hope you’ll join us for this insightful session and discover how your organisation can unlock the potential of Donor Advised Funds.

Previous webinars

As a non-profit organisation, international fundraising is crucial for your success. However, it can be challenging to navigate. That’s where our webinars come in – they are here to help you! Our friendly experts have compiled a range of hints and tips to make your fundraising efforts a success.

AI for international fundraising

Is your fundraising data working as hard as it could be?

Join us for this practical and insightful session on Thursday 26th June exploring how AI is transforming international fundraising—from smarter donor targeting to predicting future engagement. We’ll spotlight real applications that can help your organisation work more efficiently and effectively at scale.

What you’ll learn

• Tools and AI approaches that enhance donor insight and outreach
• How Coally, a platform built to foster purpose-driven communities, uses AI to collect, analyse and act on data
• AI solutions for engagement tracking and relationship community management
• Key challenges in applying AI to global fundraising—and how to navigate the.

Pre-register now

Whether you’re curious about AI’s potential for international fundraising or already experimenting with data models, this session will help you understand what’s possible—and how to get started.

Register now to secure your spot and receive a full recording after the session.

Previous webinars

As a non-profit organisation, international fundraising is crucial for your success. However, it can be challenging to navigate. That’s where our webinars come in – they are here to help you! Our friendly experts have compiled a range of hints and tips to make your fundraising efforts a success.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding offers incredible benefits for alumni fundraising—expanding your donor base, boosting engagement, and strengthening your brand.

However, it can also present challenges like competing for attention and managing expectations. To succeed, a clear message and the ability to deliver on promises are key.

Pre register now

Join us on May 28th for an exclusive webinar featuring crowdfunding experts Anna Cohen and Chaya Abelsky from Charidy.com , moderated by Arnaud Marcilhacy, our Head of International Fundraising. Learn how crowdfunding can energise your alumni network and help fund global initiatives.

Reserve your spot today (all registrants also receive a copy of the recording):

Previous Webinars

As a non-profit organisation, international fundraising is crucial for your success. However, it can be challenging to navigate. That’s where our webinars come in – they are here to help you! Our friendly experts have compiled a range of hints and tips to make your fundraising efforts a success.

Nous lançons une série de déjeuners mensuels à Paris pour vous aider dans vos projets de collecte de fonds à l’étranger.

Le principe est simple

· Un thème par déjeuner
· 12h30 à 14h00
· Vous amenez votre sandwich et votre boisson (nous fournissons le café !)
· Des speakers de haut niveau autour de chaque thème
· 10 participants par déjeuner
· Présentations et discussions en anglais
· Les 10 premières personnes à répondre seront invitées
· Les autres seront invitées en priorité aux prochains déjeuners

Premier déjeuner le 16 mai

Thème : « Collecter des fonds aux États-Unis dans l’Amérique de Trump »

Speakers

• Nancy Bikson, Directrice Générale de Chapel & York, avocate internationale spécialisée dans les thématiques fiscales et légales pour la collecte à l’étranger et particulièrement aux États-Unis
• Heather Hill, CNM, CFRE Hill, Responsable Philanthropie Internationale chez Chapel & York

Pour vous inscrire au déjeuner du 16 mai, répondez simplement à arnaud.marcilhacy@chapel-york.com et nous vous enverrons un mail de confirmation.

Considerations and Opportunities

Do you ever sit at your desk and wonder if your international donors may be interested in having a legacy conversation with you? How do you get started? What are the regulatory implications? Are you feeling overwhelmed with all this?

In this month’s webinar on 24th April, we’ll be exploring the considerations you must be mindful of and the opportunities that legacies from Canada and US may offer your organisation. Our experts Ligia Peña, CFRE and Nancy Bikson will cover the different terminology to use with your donors, key tactics to start a conversation, and how to best market your program. You will leave reassured and empowered to explore legacies abroad.

Who should participate?

• Professionals looking to further engage with donors abroad;
• Board members and senior management concerned with diversifying their fundraising portfolio.

Pre register at the link below, come along with your questions and also receive a recording of the webinar afterwards.

Previous Webinars

As a non-profit organisation, international fundraising is crucial for your success. However, it can be challenging to navigate. That’s where our webinars come in – they are here to help you! Our friendly experts have compiled a range of hints and tips to make your fundraising efforts a success.

Chapel & York Webinar

Does your international fundraising strategy include the UK? If you haven’t yet tapped into this resource, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Join our webinar on 28th March as we delve into the untapped value of UK-based donations and explore the lucrative benefits that should not be overlooked. Don’t miss out on fully understanding the benefits of Gift Aid, a scheme which adds 25% to a donation received from a qualifying UK taxpayer.

What makes the UK even more appealing? It’s richly diverse populace. Many individuals originally hail from other nations, taking their international outlook with them when deciding who to support. Be they an international alumni now living in the UK or a well travelled donor who has visited your museum or other institution our webinar will provide valuable insights on how to harness this unique trait to encourage giving.

This session will be led by Kurstin Finch Gnehm and Nancy Bikson. Kurstin is a fundraising expert with over 20 years of experience spanning leading UK institutions such as the Dogs Trust, Royal Academy of Music, and Imperial College London, and is now a consultant with Cairney & Co and Executive Director of the Chapel & York UK Foundation. Nancy Bikson is the Managing Director of Chapel & York and has over 30 years international fundraising experience.

🗓 Date: Friday 28th March 2025
⏰ Time: 10.00 EST/ 14.00 GMT/ 15.00 CET

👉 Pre-register now to secure your spot and receive a recording of the event!

Previous Webinars

As a non-profit organisation, international fundraising is crucial for your success. However, it can be challenging to navigate. That’s where our webinars come in – they are here to help you! Our friendly experts have compiled a range of hints and tips to make your fundraising efforts a success.

Chapel & York Webinar

Is your institution maximising the potential of its international alumni network?

Alumni engagement isn’t just about staying connected—it’s about creating meaningful relationships that can drive fundraising success, improve career development opportunities, and build global communities.

Join us as our panel of seasoned experts shares insights and actionable strategies on how to engage alumni on an international scale. This one-hour webinar is designed to help universities and organisations harness the power of their alumni to support institutional goals while fostering a thriving alumni community.

🗓 Date: 27 February 2025
⏰ Time: 14.00 GMT/ 15.00 CET/ 09.00 EST

🎤 Speakers:

• Charlie Van Scyoc, Director of Global Development, Columbia University, New York
• Natalia Ginez, Senior Associate Director, Global Engagement, University of Chicago
• Nancy Bikson, Managing Director, Chapel & York
• Stephanie Veit, Senior Client Manager, Chapel & York

👉 Pre-register now to secure your spot and receive a recording of the event!

Previous Webinars

As a non-profit organisation, international fundraising is crucial for your success. However, it can be challenging to navigate. That’s where our webinars come in – they are here to help you! Our friendly experts have compiled a range of hints and tips to make your fundraising efforts a success.