Discover the future of alumni engagement in this dynamic session that unveils the power of hybrid events to supercharge your alumni relations strategy. In an era where traditional approaches are evolving, join us as we delve into innovative techniques that blend the best of virtual and in-person experiences.

Learn how to create meaningful connections with alumni, no matter where they are in the world. We'll share real-world case studies, practical tips, and interactive ideas that will breathe new life into your engagement efforts. From virtual reunions to immersive online networking, this session will equip you with the tools and strategies to adapt, thrive, and future-proof your alumni engagement initiatives.

Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve, build stronger alumni relationships, and ensure your institution's enduring success. Join us for an enlightening journey into the future of alumni engagement through hybrid events!

The past three years have been exceptionally challenging for the philanthropic sector. Market conditions have fluctuated drastically, and social conditions change every day. On March 13, 2020, at the very start of real social and economic uncertainty, the University of Southern Maine (USM) voted in their first Zoom meeting ever to proceed with a $46 million comprehensive campaign. In June 2023, USM closed their campaign over goal ($50 million raised) and two years ahead of schedule. In this session, we will explore how this public regional comprehensive university kept focused and resilient amidst turbulent market conditions, an unpredictable philanthropic environment, presidential and Cabinet-level transitions, and a challenging capital approval process. We will pose several scenarios to the audience for group discussion and hear from USM how they tackled these challenges and turned them into opportunities.

In music the most basic chords are based in a triad, three notes that become something better, something magical, when played together. Likewise, in our work in higher education advancement and philanthropy there are three basic experiences that are the building blocks for success. Research has shown that these three experiences are equally meaningful for individuals at any stage of involvement from student, to involved volunteer, to major donor. In this session you will learn more about this magical triad and how you can build upon it to create success throughout the engagement pipeline.

Let’s face it, not every advancement team is built the same. But that doesn’t mean they can’t raise the same (and even better).

While being a member of a smaller team certainly poses challenges, it forces its members to embrace critical thinking, innovative ideas, and modern technology. In this session, you’ll learn about how Central Catholic High School, with an eight person team, did just that and exceeded their goals thanks to multi-channel communications, a unique approach to alumni volunteers, automated donor comment collection, and more repeatable low-touch strategies. When you leave this session, you’ll be ready to smash your goals by embracing efficient and modern marketing techniques and technologies.

Are you ready to save time and engage more?

Promoting the message that annual fund dollars will close the gap between the actual cost of education and tuition is becoming less and less of a compelling argument to potential donors. Today’s sophisticated donors want to know that their gift, regardless of its size, will have a measurable impact on the school. Shifting your message to encourage donors to make their annual gift in support of programs or academic departments that they are most passionate about is critical to motivating your stay-the-course donors to give more and attracting new supporters. By doing so, your school will be better prepared to increase the giving participation rate by: (1) developing more customized solicitations that speak to potential donors’ passions; and (2) creating more personalized stewardship reports to show the impact of their specific gifts on the school. Perhaps more importantly, the school will also uncover the areas / projects that resonate most with donors, which will help it to be more strategic in its outreach both for the annual fund and for major gift engagements.