This session is specifically designed for frontline gift officers in major gifts and gift planning who seek a fresh perspective to move beyond transactional outcomes. Whether just starting out or looking to take your fundraising efforts to the next level, this session offers valuable insights and strategies to “Own the Conversation’ with your donors. During this session, we will explore the tenets of High Probability Fundraising to address the key questions every donor makes on their journey to a meaningful gift. You will learn how to avoid the ‘Transactional Trap’ by inviting donors to engage in a permission-based conversation that sets a transparent agenda, builds deep trust, uncovers true capacity, and secures bigger, more impactful gifts than they ever thought possible.

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.

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.

There has been a lot of talk about what the Secure Act 2.0 gave us - the ability to use a QCD to close a CGA (or CRT). But what does that actually look like? Who makes the most sense for this type of gift? Join this session to first understand a quick lesson on taxes, IRAs and why and how they are important for our donor work. This will also lead us to learn about the first gift (and many others that have followed) for the University of Colorado.