Conference for Newcomers in Development 2024
Learning Objectives
- Explain the essential elements of the educational fundraising process, including unrestricted/annual funds, major and principal gifts and structured and planned gifts.
- Discuss how to use data to determine donor capacity and interest.
- Identify cultivation tactics to manage prospective donor relationships.
- Describe strategies on relationship building with colleagues in the advancement field.
Who Should Attend
- Development professionals with fewer than two years of fundraising experience
- Academic leaders and volunteers with fundraising responsibilities
- Newcomers to educational development
Meet Your Chair
Skylar Beaver
Skylar Beaver is the Assistant Director of Advancement at The Lawrenceville School, where she spearheads annual giving campaigns and oversees alumni and family engagement, donor relations, stewardship, and advancement services. With a strong global perspective, she also leads international fundraising initiatives. Her extensive experience spans 16 years in the development field, including leadership roles at The Spence School, Washington and Lee University, and Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
A respected voice in the industry, Skylar is a frequent presenter with CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education), a past chair of STAFF (Sharing the Annual Fund Fundamentals), and chairs NEAGC (Northeast Annual Giving Conference). Her exceptional contributions have earned her accolades, including the 2023 Diane Thompson Award for Excellence in Annual Giving from NEAGC, a CASE Crystal Apple Award for outstanding speaking, and the distinguished CASE Laureate honor.
Skylar holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and a Master's in Nonprofit Management from SUNY Brockport.