Portfolio management approaches are constantly evolving. From utilizing analytics to track portfolio performance to consulting with Prospect Development for routine portfolio reviews to determining the most helpful key performance indicators for leaders to stay up-to-date with their fundraisers' portfolios, today's fundraising climate requires a customized approach to portfolio management. Fundraisers contribute expertise about donors and prospects. Prospect development staff provide expertise with new ways to look at portfolios.

Join us as we discuss a unique hybrid approach to evolving portfolio management. This approach can be applied in large and small shops as a winning partnership with advancement services and development teams.

This session goes behind the scenes to see how one institution created an alumni recognition program that goes far beyond just recognition and created an intentional pathway for alumni involvement, strategic engagement and philanthropic support. Participants will hear from Advancement staff as well as a recent alumni honoree and a Dean to learn how the positive results of cross campus collaboration pay big dividends down the road.

In May 2019, the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference involuntarily removed the University of St. Thomas from the conference, citing "lack of competitive parity" based on St. Thomas' athletic success. This created a need to find a new athletics home. The St. Thomas Board of Trustees made the bold decision to seek unprecedented reclassification directly to D-I, and in July of 2020, St. Thomas received long-awaited news from the NCAA that it had been approved. This move made St. Thomas Minnesota’s first private D-I collegiate athletics program as well as the first university approved to transition directly to D-I from D-III in the modern history of the NCAA.

The transition has required significant fundraising and advancement support to fuel its success. In this session you’ll hear about the key strategies employed to raise historic philanthropy – more than $130M to date on a goal of more than $250M. In addition, you’ll hear about how the university has made the case to donors in the context of the university’s larger trajectory.

Join us for an enlightening discussion where you'll gain valuable strategies and ideas on a range of key topics:

1) Piloting Career Development Teams: Discover innovative approaches to pilot career development teams at both Development Associate and Assistant Director levels.

2) Building an Inclusive Team: Learn how to source, recruit, and hire a diverse and inclusive team that brings fresh perspectives to the table.

3) Retention Strategies: Explore effective methods for retaining talent by providing hands-on training and immersive experiences that keep your team motivated and engaged.

4) Career Growth Conversations: Gain the skills to confidently navigate discussions about career growth within your institution, fostering an environment of professional development.

Personal outreach to donors is labor intensive and can drain resources if gift officers are not engaging the right prospects. Morningside University combined behavioral characteristics and wealth screening to uncover prospects with both the passion and capacity to give. Overlaying AI with the process provided a higher level of precision and the ability to update the data through machine learning . The private university was able to quickly put the data into action to pinpoint priority major gift prospects, personalize cultivation and outreach, streamline portfolios, and forecast donor potential and overall ROI for their advancement program.

Are you challenged with a daunting project and don't know where to begin? Have you put your ideas on a shelf where they have collected dust for 10+ years? Are you looking for ways to transform the work that you do? This session will present a case study of how the University of Nebraska Foundation reimagined its entire funds management process, moving from piles of paper to fully digital and automated fund creation and management. If you want to transform your work by tackling messy and complicated projects, this session can help generate ideas on how to do that.

Overview
University fundraising campaigns often heavily rely on the generous contributions of prominent leaders and high-net-worth individuals. These major donors can significantly impact the campaign's success by providing substantial financial support. However, it's crucial to recognize that the dedicated advancement staff working behind the scenes are equally vital to achieving fundraising goals. In this session, we will explore strategies universities can implement to ensure that their advancement staff remains engaged and motivated during leadership-driven fundraising campaigns.

These strategies will include:
1. Internal Strategic Communication
2. Goal Alignment
3. Involvement in High-Profile Campaign Components
4. Celebrating Milestone Achievement

Join us for an engaging conference session that seamlessly combines the essential elements of crafting an annual plan with the power of effective stewardship. In this session, we will dive into the art of developing a robust annual plan while integrating an Engagement Calendar and Stewardship Matrix to ensure long-term sustainability and success. Discover the key elements of stewardship that drive organizational growth and donor satisfaction. Learn from industry experts and real-world examples as we explore successful stewardship practices that have yielded remarkable results. Leave this session armed with the knowledge and tools necessary to revolutionize your approach to annual planning and stewardship, enhancing your organization's impact and donor relationships. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your strategy and secure a prosperous future for your cause.

Come and learn from Ava Wills-Barksdale (VP Advancement-Lincoln University) and Darrell Bell (VP Advancement-Nazareth University) as to how they partnered with Scott Lange (President) and Michael Shippam (Principal) of Visionary Philanthropic Consulting to best utilize advancement data analytics for enhanced prospect identification, portfolio rebalancing, campaign goal setting, gift officer work flow, budgeting rationales for new gift officers, and Board communication on Advancement objectives and ROI.

Colleges know that building partnerships with employers is important for student success, as well as for our institutions, but what does it mean and why do some partnerships flourish while others fail or stagnate? Join this interactive session and discover how to chart a course with business and industry partners that will lead to new and strong programs, major gifts and lifelong friendships.