Do you find yourself looking at the same prospect names and wondering why they haven't made a gift or haven't been engaged in recent years? Capacity and affinity may exist with these prospects but a relationship that would lead to a major gift is lacking. "The Philanthropist Left Behind" addresses the critical importance of donor experience and shares examples of recent gifts that fostered a culture of philanthropy and launched transformational programs at an independent private school. The session will also highlight successful research, passion/project alignment, selecting the appropriate relationship manager, and stewardship.

Session Description: At Owl Nation, we help new hires acclimate quickly to support Kennesaw State University’s (KSU) fundraising goals. The University Advancement onboarding process equips new fundraising hires and other Advancement employees with a 30-day checklist to help navigate the first month of employment (and beyond). Our efforts are focused on acclimating new hires to the KSU mission statement, brand, values, and our division's organizational structure, culture and goals. Through successful onboarding, new hires acclimate quickly so they can focus on metrics, moves management, donor research, and donors enhancing the office’s capacity to meet its fundraising goals.

Ever wondered how to get an internal DEIB committee started? Wonder if it is needed or how to get support for growing DEIB initiatives. Join us as we discuss the process of creating a DEIB committee, what is needed and if adding this professional development will impact your employee retention efforts.

Despite the many benefits diverse voices and backgrounds bring to fundraising teams, universities often struggle finding talent that reflects the communities they serve. While leaders believe it’s critical to encourage diverse, young voices to become advancement professionals, they do not always know the best ways to recruit, retain, or evaluate employees whose lived experiences are different from their own. This session offers a blueprint to cultivate homegrown fundraising talent through fellows’ programs and apprenticeships and provides first-hand advice from young fundraisers on what works and what doesn’t to help them want to join and stay on your advancement team.

From the pandemic to the murder of George Floyd, many relationship managers are faced with challenges as they find themselves in the midst of ultra-sensitive conversations with prospects and donors. This session is designed to unpack advancement experiences, understand the concept of power and privilege and its influence, and the importance of courageous conversation skills.

We all know Deans are critical to fundraising success across our campus landscape. Whether you are working with a dean new to fundraising, starting with experience, or simply want to pause and revisit a long-standing partnership with your dean, this may be for you. Presenter and author, Brent Pieper, will share a book he recently wrote and was published by CASE. A Dean's Handbook for Philanthropy is steeped in the collective perspectives, stories and wisdom of over 26 higher education leaders who Brent has worked with including university presidents, chancellors, provosts, deans, athletic directors, foundation leaders, and yes--major gifts directors.

To improve the gender parity in UNC Kenan-Flagler's Full-Time MBA program, alumnae and Advancement staff collaborated on a new initiative called "100 Women". Since this initiative launched in 2020, the Full-Time MBA female enrollment has increased from 29% to 38%. 100 Women's success comes from nurturing meaningful engagement between alumnae and prospective/current students; developing mutually-beneficial partnerships across internal teams and other volunteer leadership groups; and increasing alumnae philanthropy for the School. Hear from Advancement staff on how they've partnered with alumnae leaders to develop a flexible and impactful program aligned with Kenan-Flagler's Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.