Unlock the potential of artificial intelligence in fundraising while staying true to your mission and values. This dynamic session will equip nonprofit leaders and fundraisers with the tools to prepare their organizations for AI integration, focusing on ethical considerations, technical readiness, and strategic opportunities. Explore actionable strategies to enhance productivity, mitigate risks, and implement transparent policies that prioritize accountability. Through engaging discussions and expert insights, you’ll leave with a practical framework to innovate responsibly and effectively—ensuring your organization is ready to harness AI’s transformative power.

Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in donor stewardship, with its impact deeply rooted in brain science. Simple changes in language can significantly influence how donors respond emotionally and neurologically. By understanding how stories and specific words shape brain activity, stewardship professionals can craft narratives that foster trust, empathy, and satisfaction. When paired with feedback mechanisms, storytelling transforms stewardship into a dynamic, two-way relationship that strengthens long-term donor loyalty.

As Donor Relations professionals, we strive to make our acknowledgements timely, meaningful, and authentic. Ideally gift officers are an integral part of the process and offer their input to make letters personal and effective. However, other priorities, limited staffing and logistics can get in the way. Over the past year, our team at Stony Brook University has transformed our ACK letters process using effective project management tools, sending over 1400 personalized letters to donors within 1-2 weeks of making their gift with only two dedicated staff positions. By leveraging technology and partnering effectively with gift officers and advancement leadership, you also can transform your acknowledgement letter process.

Do you find it challenging to get responses from faculty and students for messages of gratitude? You're not alone. One of the biggest hurdles is simply explaining who we are and why we’re reaching out. Join us for an insightful session where we’ll share success stories and effective strategies that have worked to inspire input. Engage in open dialogue with your peers, exchange ideas, and discover new ways to foster meaningful connections and simplify processes with faculty and students. Let’s turn these challenges into opportunities together!

In this interactive session, explore how AI technology can revolutionize donor relations by streamlining processes, enhancing personalization, and uncovering actionable insights. We’ll discuss how AI tools can
assist in identifying and cultivating potential donors through predictive analytics, strengthen relationships with dynamic communication strategies, and improve stewardship by automating and customizing touch points. Participants will learn how AI-driven data analysis can uncover trends to inform strategic decisions and campaign readiness, all while maintaining a human-centered approach through active
listening and engagement. Designed for donor relations and advancement professionals at all levels, this session will equip you with practical strategies to integrate AI into your donor relations program, ensuring it is innovative, efficient, and future-ready.

Discover how to elevate donor relations by crafting a world-class experience for major and principal gift donors. Using the metaphor of a charcuterie board and let's be honest, this session is filled with many metaphors. This session will guide you through creating a thoughtful and personalized annual plan that harmonizes core engagement activities, supporting experiences, and personal touches. No shop or staff size is too small to apply these principles. Learn how to strategically plan and tailor interactions to deepen donor connections and ensure lasting partnerships. Join us to transform your donor relations strategy into a memorable and impactful experience.