Program
Sunday, March 30, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CT
Conference Registration
Welcome to Chicago! Stop by the College & University Foundations registration desk beginning at 12:00 p.m. to check in and pick up your conference materials.
Welcome
Elective Session
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM CT
A Unique Model for a Small Shop - Working Towards Self-Sufficiency
In turbulent times many smaller institutionally-related foundations (IRF’s) are seeking alternative economic models to be fully self-sustaining. The Kean University Foundation’s economic model is unique and, we believe, cutting edge. As we enter our sixth year in our restructuring plan, and embark on our first comprehensive capital campaign in more than 15 years, the Foundation employs all staff and absorbs the costs associated with staff benefits, human resources, information technology, legal, etc. This presentation summarizes the funding and spending plan for the Kean University Foundation as well as the organization’s competitive cost per dollar raised.
Speakers: William Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Kean University Foundation, Edward Ahart, Chief Development Officer, Kean University Foundation
Competencies: LeadershipStrategic Thinking
Experience Level: All LevelsAll Levels
Elective Session
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM CT
Leveraging Attributes for Financial Reporting
Transform your financial reporting with a powerful but often overlooked feature - attributes! Join Kierstin Sykes from the UC San Diego Foundation, as she reveals how leveraging attributes revolutionized their reporting processes, turning a 2-3 day cash flow statement preparation into a one-hour task. Learn practical strategies for using attributes to streamline complex financial reports, automate footnote preparation, and reduce manual data manipulation. With over 73% of nonprofits spending 5+ hours weekly manipulating data outside their accounting systems, this session offers game-changing solutions for:
*Creating automated cash flow statements
*Simplifying investment reconciliations
*Streamlining tax reporting and financial statement classifications
*Managing special handling
*Building efficient footnote disclosures
Perfect for financial professionals looking to save time, reduce errors, and produce consistent, audit-ready reports. Discover how attributes can transform your reporting workflow and eliminate hours of Excel manipulation.
*Creating automated cash flow statements
*Simplifying investment reconciliations
*Streamlining tax reporting and financial statement classifications
*Managing special handling
*Building efficient footnote disclosures
Perfect for financial professionals looking to save time, reduce errors, and produce consistent, audit-ready reports. Discover how attributes can transform your reporting workflow and eliminate hours of Excel manipulation.
Speakers: Kierstin Sykes, Foundation Controller & Sr. Director Gift Fund Accounting, University of California San Diego
Competencies: Business and Financial Acumen
Experience Level: Level 4Level 3- Practicing Mid Level Career
Elective Session
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM CT
What We’ve Learned From Fully Autonomous AI Fundraising & Where We’re Going Next
A few months ago, the world’s first fully autonomous fundraiser interacted with its first assigned donor. During this time, two dozen+ nonprofits joined together as cohorts to engage donors with an AI-powered Virtual Engagement Officer but more importantly research, develop, and accelerate the deployment of autonomous fundraising for our entire industry.
All nonprofits can relate to the fact that they have more donors and alumni than they have fundraisers with capacity to build relationships. This is precisely where autonomous fundraising changes what’s possible.
In this session, cohort members will present the results they’ve seen from autonomous fundraising – donors engaged, dollars raised, and pipeline built, in addition to their experience being the first organizations in the world to deploy a Virtual Engagement Officer to a portfolio of their donors.
We’ll present what we learned, what we got right, where course corrections were needed, and how we navigated AI in a field defined by relationships. We’ll share all of our findings including portfolios for autonomous fundraisers, sourcing engagement content independently, accuracy, transparency, ethics, and more.
Finally, we’ll conclude by looking at where we are going, how we can continue to further personalize donor journeys, push the outer limits of technology, and more.
All nonprofits can relate to the fact that they have more donors and alumni than they have fundraisers with capacity to build relationships. This is precisely where autonomous fundraising changes what’s possible.
In this session, cohort members will present the results they’ve seen from autonomous fundraising – donors engaged, dollars raised, and pipeline built, in addition to their experience being the first organizations in the world to deploy a Virtual Engagement Officer to a portfolio of their donors.
We’ll present what we learned, what we got right, where course corrections were needed, and how we navigated AI in a field defined by relationships. We’ll share all of our findings including portfolios for autonomous fundraisers, sourcing engagement content independently, accuracy, transparency, ethics, and more.
Finally, we’ll conclude by looking at where we are going, how we can continue to further personalize donor journeys, push the outer limits of technology, and more.
Speakers: Brooks Hull, Vice President, University Advancement and Executive Director, Development Foundation, Texas State University, Adam Martel, CEO, Givzey
Competencies: Relationship BuildingLeadership
Experience Level: Level 5Level 6- Leadership/ Transforming Seasoned Professional
Plenary
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM CT
Welcome Reception
Join the conference committee and your colleagues to network and unwind after Day 1.
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