During the 90th anniversary of Tyler Junior College (TJC), an initiative was launched to transform an out of date municipal auditorium into a comprehensive performing arts center. Originally, community members came forward to address limited renovations due to safety concerns. Due to their leadership and generosity, the vision emerged for a $13.5 million project supported by a successful $8.5 million Campaign for the Performing Arts.

This session will feature a case study of the Campaign, which raised more $8.6 million towards the new facility and two accompanying outdoor spaces. This was the first, more traditional campaign for TJC and the Tyler Junior College Foundation, which strategically engaged resources to successfully implement an education and cultivation phase, leadership fundraising and a more public initiative to gain new contributors and establish an endowment to preserve the new center.

What started as a small-scale remodel, became “the little campaign that could”, moving full steam ahead to provide a new, high quality, arts center serving TJC legacy arts programs and the East Texas region; build new partnerships with various community organizations; and, engage a new base of contributors through the Tyler Junior College Foundation.

A productive, effective, and collaborative working relationship between a college and its foundation is important to an effective campus culture of philanthropy during normal times. In times of crisis or uncertainty, it is essential. When a Foundation experiences a loss of leadership, the relationship between the college and the foundation becomes pivotal. In times of sudden change, this partnership must quickly coalesce around necessary and urgent decisions to address the situation, while also providing a sense of continuity and stability, especially if the institution is planning a major philanthropic initiative or campaign. This session will feature a college leader to share their experience working with their Foundation to respond to an unforeseen loss of leadership at the Foundation. They will share the fundamentals of a strong working relationship, how they confronted the day-to-day and longer-term challenges and opportunities presented by the situation and reflect on some practical tools that were helpful during this period of uncertainty and loss. From communicating with donors and providing continuity, to effectively inspiring staff in the absence of the Executive Director, this session will underscore the importance of contingency planning and preparedness between a college and its Foundation.

Join us to explore the art and science of developing a dynamic Corporate Partnership Program that not only streamlines the ask for corporate supporters but also enhances their engagement experience. In this session, we delve into the strategic creation of a menu-style offering, simplifying the selection process for potential partners. Learn how to tailor benefits that resonate deeply with corporate values, fostering meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships. Plus, attendees will receive sample templates and materials to kickstart their own partnership programs. Don't miss out on discovering the keys to crafting a cohesive partnership program that seamlessly aligns with corporate objectives while maximizing impact for both parties involved.

Fundraising in rural areas and in those areas experiencing economic hardship represent a real challenge for small and medium-sized Colleges across the nation. In this session, East Georgia State leadership will share their ‘Top 10’ issues for working in these environments and how they are trying to solve them. Is there money in these rural communities to support the mission of the College? If so, how does the leadership team of the College build the relationships and community engagement that is needed and how should those messages be communicated? Following the presentation, they will seek the feedback and advice from those that attend to develop a list of best practices.

Addressing the critical need for holistic support for minority students in higher education. While scholarships are essential, they only scratch the surface of what is needed for the success of underrepresented students. Augmenting existing minority cohort programs by raising funds to provide experiential opportunities that foster holistic student development. These experiences include attending leadership conferences, study abroad, participating in mock-interview sessions, engaging in improv session to enhance communication skills, and networking lunches with donors who share similar backgrounds. By investing in these additional opportunities, we aim to empower minority students by enhancing their soft skills, expanding their networks, and fostering their leadership abilities. The presentation will delve into the rationale behind this approach, share success stories, and outline steps for implementation.

Donor named spaces were a dream of HCC. In less than 2 years, the Foundation would secure 14 different named space partners, some first time donors, raising critical funds for new construction and program expansion.

When women come together, extraordinary things happen. In 2023, the Carl Sandburg College Foundation and College of Nursing teamed up with 100 Extraordinary WomenTM, a unique, national initiative that brings women together to raise $100,000 or more in gifts and 5-year pledges. In less than six months, more than $100,000 was raised for the College’s nursing student success grant program, bringing attention to this program and the need for increased funding support. Many were first-time gifts that were much larger than our typical initial gift. You will learn effective strategies to raise significant funds among women, boost annual giving, and deepen connections with donors to specific programs. We will also highlight concepts for implementing a simple, yet proven way of reaching groups of new donors to cultivate first-time gifts at higher levels than traditional levels. This session is designed to empower a small team to make a major and immediate impact.

Your college president comes to you ready to retire, where do you start? Are you prepared for a seamless transition to new leadership? Change in leadership can pose a unique set of challenges, but change can also mean new opportunity. Join this session to explore how leadership transitions can be leveraged to revisit institutional goals, amplify a meaningful legacy for outgoing leadership, and reaffirm your school’s mission and vision. We will tackle questions like: How can we leverage leadership changes to further fundraising goals? How do we navigate the challenges that arise when the transition happens in the middle of a campaign? How do we communicate and guide our donors through this change? Together we will explore strategies and best practices for maximizing leadership transitions to establish a sustainable future for our institutions.