Join conference chair, Jen McGrath to meet the faculty, learn how to get the most out of your time at the conference and get a big picture overview of the conference.

Join us for a facilitated conversation and sharing session (including you). We’ll talk about trends we’re seeing in philanthropy and how our work has shifted (or not) to address them.

Just as no two donors are alike, no two development shops are alike. Different development shops require different donor relations programs and t can take a while to figure it out on your own. The goal of this session will be to speed up that process. This session will help you show up fully prepared by identifying the critical things you need to look like a star when starting out at a new higher education institution. This session will include breakout groups for everyone to share their experiences of what they have tried that worked and what did not when taking on lead donor relations roles at development shops big and small.

Our work as donor relations staff cannot be successful without knowledge, input, resources, and materials from a variety of campus partners. An intentional effort to build a campus donor relations community, from donor relations staff in schools and units to finance colleagues to faculty and administration to fundraisers, can pay dividends in helping collect information and deliver on a consistent and impactful donor experience. In this session, learn about the community of practice model and other activities that can build staff consensus and participation in donor relations activities.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “people give to people.” As Donor Relations professionals, it’s our job to show our donors how their generosity has made a difference. They want more than statistics – they want to hear directly from the people they’ve helped. In this session, learn how to craft a compelling story that showcases the impact of giving through the words of the constituents you serve. Then, strategize how to share your story in a way that will resonate most effectively with an individual donor or group of donors. Sharing these heartfelt stories will build lasting connections with donors, inspiring them to become more engaged and more likely to give again – and give more – in the future.

Hear donors share their insights on stewardship and philanthropy. Bring your questions for some Q&A.