Join conference faculty to kick off the program, meet your fellow attendees, and set the stage to make the most of our time together. Conference co-chairs, Shaun Keister and Dale Wright, will then lay the groundwork for the conference by examining the fundamentals of development work. We will review the donor cycle – identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship – and share best practices for the strategic involvement of deans in this cycle. Subsequent sessions throughout the conference will take a deeper dive into parts of the donor cycle and how to utilize for sustained success.

The academic leader has a special role in successful development, including informing the case for support, deepening the relationships with top potential givers, engaging faculty, staff, and students and participating in all phases of the Cycle. This session highlights important areas of development for deans and includes ideas and strategies to keep in mind throughout the rest of the conference and beyond.

A true partnership between a Dean and their development officer is the key to successful fundraising but what does it take to create this type of relationship? In this session, hear from a seasoned Dean and development officer as they discuss the importance of clear roles, responsibilities and expectations. They’ll also explore critical success factors to consider and implement as well as tips and attributes to make your partnership a winning one.