Aalto University (FI) has recently launched a proactive legacy giving programme. What kind of process has it been so far, and what were the first critical steps in the planned giving journey?

Join us in this round table discussion and knowledge sharing session. Let’s share best practices and explore the potential pitfalls of legacy giving fundraising.

”A few years ago, an alumni newsletter at a faculty at Aarhus University, Denmark, was killed off to make room for a more user-centric approach to newsletters. Last year, another alumni newsletter at Aarhus University was dug out from the grave, given a makeover and reintroduced to alumni.

Hear the different stories from Aarhus University followed by a workshop to discuss pros and cons to help you decide whether to keep or kill your alumni newsletter.”

Alumni relations and fundraising are universal. It may take different forms and it will be constantly evolving, but they are common to all cultures.

Culture is real. Navigating your way through different cultures is complex and challenging. Yet, cultural literacy is a must-have not a nice-to-have. You will be a better person – as an individual, as a member of your community and as a professional, if you develop your cultural literacy. This session will focus on cultural competence with the emphasis on cultural intelligence and understanding bias, looking at these through the lens of advancement.  Maarten and Bruce will address questions such as: how to be an active, attentive and authentic listener; understand and be comfortable with your own culture; use it as the platform to understand others. The session will be a presentation liberally interspersed with real-life examples from the speakers and an invitation to all participants to share theirs

Do you find it hard to get your colleagues in the communications team excited about your ideas on what would be a good story on the university website, and even for the media? In this workshop, you’ll learn how to succeed in pitching your ideas to communications professionals. Illustrated with examples, you’ll get an insight on what is a news piece, and what makes a good story for the wider audience. You will also have a chance to practice storytelling together with your peers in small groups.

This presentation profiles strategies from innovative institutions across the UK, US, and Canada. EAB’s research has shown that millennial alumni are willing to donate to and become involved with their alma maters—but they seek greater levels of personalization, customization, and convenience. Unlike past generations, they are interested in deploying their skills and expertise, not just their time and money. Leveraging alumni to improve student skills and employment not only advances important student outcomes, but also helps to appeal to a new generation of alumni and secure their loyalties—and future gifts.

Developing a marketing campaign within a University context is easier said than done. There are countless complexities to consider, foremost amongst them - securing academic engagement. This session is designed to be a practical walk-through of how to develop a campaign from start to finish, providing insights on how to avoid some of the more obvious pitfalls. If you’re about to start a campaign, or are midway through one, this is the session for you.

Only a tiny percentage of any alumni database will have the capacity and inclination to ever make a major gift. However, most individuals on your database will have the means to make an affordable, regular donation. 

In this session, Buffalo will speak from our 17 years of experience in mass fundraising within the UK educational fundraising sector, working with both small and large development teams. We will discuss the different approaches and fundraising vehicles available for mass engagement and fundraising. Birgitta will present a case study from Chalmers of their ‘first step’ towards regular giving and their plans for developing the programme further. Sarita will share insights she gained from her background in digital marketing/fundraising and how she has integrated and promoted the option of making a regular gift on the Aalto University website. Buffalo will draw the session to a close and open the floor to any questions. 

“What makes Nordic countries so unique? We do alumni relations, fundraising and marketing our own way to make it work for us. This panel has an international outlook and will discuss what works well for us and reflect upon what we can learn from other countries. We also share how our institutions relate and respond to the current situation in Ukraine.”