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Conference for College and University Foundations 2025
Conference for College and University Foundations 2025
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6 Results Found
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM CT
Sparking Change – and Seeing it Through – to Catalyze Your Fundraising Program
Change is inevitable, and sometimes it’s imperative. It can be instigated intentionally, or it can be generated organically by an outside force. At Lehman College, a top Hispanic serving institution, the catalyst for change was an extraordinary gift from Mackenzie Scott. This gift, unexpected and thrilling, introduced the opportunity for the Institutional Advancement department to reassess how it interacts with leadership and campus stakeholders and build new habits and practices to improve internal and external communication, which in turn increased fundraising. While a Mackenzie Scott gift is unique, the strategies Lehman implemented in its wake can be applied across institutions. This session will offer perspectives from advancement and foundation executives on how they modeled effective change management and encouraged leaders, volunteers, and employees to embrace new ways of operating.
Speakers: Kelly Brown, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Lehman College, Danielle Jean-Marie, Executive Director, HH Lehman College Foundation, Suzanne Eden, Managing Director, CCS Fundraising, Jennifer Ruden, Vice President, CCS Fundraising
Competencies: Relationship BuildingStrategic Thinking
Experience Level: All Levels
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM CT
Unlocking Fundraising Potential with Strategic Planning
In the competitive realm of higher education, fundraising success relies on more than just passion and a great case; it requires a strategic approach. Participants will learn how strategic planning principles can inspire cohesion within fundraising teams while also enhancing their overall fundraising success.
In this session participants will learn:
• The key components of strategic planning.
• Strategies for fostering a culture of adaptability and innovation within your fundraising team through the strategic planning process.
• How to build bridges between fundraisers and their partners (such as Deans, University leaders, and engagement or communications branches), enhancing collaboration to drive fundraising success.
• Ideas for setting clear expectations that align with your organization’s vision.
• Best practices for building the tools and resources needed to support your fundraising goals.
In this session participants will learn:
• The key components of strategic planning.
• Strategies for fostering a culture of adaptability and innovation within your fundraising team through the strategic planning process.
• How to build bridges between fundraisers and their partners (such as Deans, University leaders, and engagement or communications branches), enhancing collaboration to drive fundraising success.
• Ideas for setting clear expectations that align with your organization’s vision.
• Best practices for building the tools and resources needed to support your fundraising goals.
Speakers: Tracey Storey, Associate Vice President of Nonprofit Enterprise Strategic Planning, BWF, Daniel Martin, President, KU Endowment
Competencies: LeadershipStrategic Thinking
Experience Level: All LevelsLevel 6- Leadership/ Transforming Seasoned Professional
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM CT
The Potential of Automation, Integration and AI in Higher Education Foundations
Join us to discuss the potential for automation, integration and AI in your foundation environment, and how you can empower and elevate those on your team using these tools. Where do you start and how can you use these tools in your leadership role in the next 5 years? We will discuss some examples of how automation, integration and AI are currently being used in our day to day and think future forward to possibilities where these tools allow us all to work smarter, not harder! Come prepared to share your ideas and experiences with automation, integration and AI or any other data driven projects you have been involved with!
Speakers: Sarah Hintz, Principal, Higher Education & Nonprofit Tax, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, Enid Ruiz-Mattei, CAAS Controller, CliftonLarsenAllen, Mitchell Turnbow, Digital Growth Director, CLA
Competencies: Business and Financial AcumenStrategic Thinking
Experience Level: All LevelsAll Levels
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM CT
Exploring Real World Ethical Scenarios and Doing What is Right
How do you figure out what is the correct thing to do when confronted by a challenging situation involving a donor or your organization? It is rare for a decision to be clearly and obviously right or wrong, so what tools exist to help fundraisers discern how to uphold the highest standards of professionalism? In this session, participants will have a brief introduction to ethical principles in the fundraising profession and then will review and evaluate 5-8 real world ethical scenarios covering everything from donor/fundraiser relationships, planned giving, donor influence, and organizational expectations for fundraisers. Particularly designed for newer members of the profession, this session will be highly interactive and participatory and will include time for discussion and questions.
Speakers: Jamie McMahon, CEO, Educational Foundation, Community College of Allegheny County
Competencies: Emotional IntelligenceIntegrity and Professionalism
Experience Level: Level 3Level 2- Emerging Early Career
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM CT
From the Ground Up: Streamlining Fund Management Through Partnership & Technology
In this session, both presenters will discuss how they stripped down the quarterly investment allocation process and rebuilt it from scratch leveraging process improvement, technology, and changes to investment philosophy. Designed around fund management best practices while allowing for the occasional exception, what used to be a multi-day process is now completed in a fraction of the time because of this partnership and leveraging of technology.
Speakers: Katie Ellwanger, Director of Financial Accounting, University of Iowa Center For Advancement, Bill Dean, General Manager, NonProfit+
Competencies: Relationship BuildingBusiness and Financial Acumen
Experience Level: Level 5Level 4- Senior/ Experienced Mid Level Career
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM CT
"Fundraising Fledgling: Soaring to Success in Higher Ed Advancement—My First Year of Flops, Finesse, and Fundraising Fortitude!"
In this engaging session, our speaker will share their journey through the ups and downs of their first year in fundraising. Discover essential research techniques to identify and connect with potential donors, learn how to build powerful collaborations across departments, and explore innovative strategies that can transform your approach to advancement. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this session promises practical insights, inspiring stories, and a fresh perspective on navigating the dynamic world of higher education fundraising. Don't miss your chance to elevate your skills and soar to new heights!
Speakers: Yolanda Jackson, Associate Director of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Competencies: Strategic ThinkingRelationship Building
Experience Level: All LevelsLevel 1- Early Career