Designed for professionals who are planning and/or executing their first comprehensive campaign.

This advanced workshop is for campaign leaders and teams. The workshop will cover when to bring in outside counsel, reviving a stalled campaign, and what to do when there is a leadership transition.

Higher education continues to face a convergence of issues and perceptions that can directly impact our ability to raise ambitious private philanthropy in support of our institutions, especially through the traditional campaign construct. This discussion will look at the present-day challenges your institution might encounter in successfully building out and executing a comprehensive effort from political dynamics on campus and across our donor bases to present day public debates on the value around higher education, to changing demographics and donor preferences that are emerging across next generation graduates, to limited resources in many institutions to take on build out the teams and tools needed to execute a campaign.

More than just a fun name and design, your campaign brand tells the story of where you are today, and where you aspire to be with the philanthropic support of your alumni and donors by the end of the campaign. This session will provide an overview of the basics and outcomes of campaign branding, but will focus on how to get it right, avoid pitfalls, and how to align your campaign brand for launch across campus and for your launch event.

The success of a capital campaign relies not only on strong donor relationships and strategic initiatives but also on having the right team in place. In this session, we will explore best practices for staffing a campaign, from assembling a high-performing fundraising team to ensuring cross-departmental collaboration. Learn how to structure your team for different phases of the campaign and identify key roles and skill sets needed for success. We will also address how to manage staff transitions during a campaign, ensuring continuity and maintaining momentum. Whether you're building your team from the ground up or fine-tuning an existing one, this session will provide actionable strategies to ensure you have the human resources necessary to reach your campaign goals.

Principal gifts typically make up a significant portion of a capital campaign's total, often between 60% and 80% of the campaign goal. These gifts, often secured during the quiet or leadership phase of a campaign, set the foundation for broader fundraising efforts as the campaign moves into its public phase. Through real-world examples and expert insights, you'll discover the critical role principal gifts play in achieving your campaign's highest aspirations.

Join conference faculty and your colleagues to network and unwind after Day 1. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be provided. Don't forget your business cards!