Individual Giving Manager
Rise Up Together
Valerie Kurka is a data-driven nonprofit fundraising specialist with more than fifteen years in mission-driven organizations. She specializes in integrated, data-informed strategies that drive donor acquisition and retention across direct mail, digital, peer-to-peer, and individual giving.
Grounded in a commitment to ethical, effective fundraising, Valerie is a curious experimenter who believes emerging generative Artificial Intelligence has a meaningful place in philanthropy and that it can, and should, be used for social good. She also believes that AI usage should be accessible to everyday nonprofit workers. She is energized by learning and testing what AI makes possible, but just as committed to the conviction that all of us must think deeply about the ethics of how we use it.
She holds a master’s degree in International Education, is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), and was a chemistry teacher in the Peace Corps. Valerie currently works at Rise Up Together, where she plays a key role in building their new small and mid-level donor program.
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BridgeTECH Closing Keynote | The Great AI Debate
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
3:15 PM - 4:30 PM EDT