Affinity work is key to meaningful alumni engagement and participation. In this session, we’ll share the creative ways that Babson College has fostered alumni engagement among its athletes, married couples, and reunion classes to build philanthropic support for our annual Athletics [fundraising] Challenge, Bsquared … happily ever after wall, and Class Days of Giving.

In an era where the digital realm continues to evolve, staying connected with alumni requires more than just traditional approaches. Dive into this dynamic session to uncover the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the latest technology innovations in deepening and enriching alumni relations.

The most involved students do not always equate to engaged alumni. This session will show the importance of having students be involved with the Alumni Office so that they can get excited to be alumni as early as their first year on campus!

Building a culture of philanthropy involves engaging stakeholders in the stories of our students and alumni. A successful major gift strategy is aligning a donor's interest with our shared mission. This session will share three case studies of fundraising success in New Hampshire that collectively have enhanced the culture of giving across our colleges statewide. The primary objective is to engage attendees in an active conversation, an exchange of ideas about how we collectively define success in today's fundraising climate.

As Colleges and Universities emerge from the pandemic, Alumni & Family Relations are recognizing the need for a transformative approach to community engagement beyond traditional parent weekends. As a distinctive institution without competitive sports teams, Champlain College has always been career-focused and unique in its approach to higher education. In response to the desire for a more inclusive community connection, Champlain Weekend was conceived. This three-day event features a diverse array of activities, events, and learning opportunities, bringing together families, alumni, and students to celebrate the college's entrepreneurial and innovative spirit.

Join us in this session to discover valuable tips and best practices for uniting all college stakeholders. Explore innovative approaches to foster a more inclusive connection among families, alumni, and students and celebrate what sets your college apart.

The traditional campaign case for support is a comprehensive document that takes significant time and resources to produce. In contrast, the mini case for support is a flexible tool that engages just the right people at your institution, highlights fundraising priorities, provides positioning language for front line fundraisers, and comes together relatively quickly. In this session, discover the "anatomy" of a mini case for support and how to conduct the interviews; which people at your institution will benefit; and how this process can jump-start or re-energize progress toward your fundraising objectives. You'll also have a chance to begin drafting your own mini case in real time.

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.

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.