An effective partnership between a major gifts team and the research team is essential to successful prospect management. At Phillips Exeter, we have implemented a frequent review of major gift portfolios that includes both the major gift officers and members of the research team. Data is used to identify opportunities within the portfolio and to help prioritize major gift officer activity. Determining who should be removed from a portfolio is often as important as discovering and adding new prospects. A strong collaboration between can and should ensure a strong and healthy pipeline of donors.

Great frontline fundraisers are essential to a school's successful work with top donors and prospects, but the highest-functioning fundraising programs have strong advancement services professionals at the core of their major gifts programs. In this panel discussion with three advancement services directors at high-performing independent schools, we will explore the keys to successful partnerships between fundraisers and their advancement services partners. How does advancement services differ from database management? What are the systems that support strong moves management work? Which gift officer metrics should be measured - and why? Where do partnerships between fundraisers and advancement services succeed - and where do they go wrong? How do you know if your major gifts program needs support from an advancement services professional? What are the key experiences and qualities to seek in hiring an advancement services partner for gift officers? These questions and others will be answered by three advancement services maestros who are leaders in their field.