How does your organization decide what prospects are in major gift portfolio and with what major gift officers? We will discuss criteria used at Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences for major gift assignment including ratings, region and class year, among others. When should major gift officers be disqualifying prospects? How can your organization set up a process to get leads for strong prospects from colleagues and volunteers into major gift officer portfolio in a timely manner? How do we use an upcoming reunion milestone to evaluate major gift officer coverage? In this interactive session, we will share some of Harvard’s processes and strategies for organizing portfolios for frontline fundraisers and encourage those in the audience to contribute their ideas.

How do you engage varying perspectives within your school community in the process of developing an authentic brand identity? We will explore strategies to include internal and external stakeholders in this essential Mar/Comm endeavor.

In this session, led by Finalsite Chief Evangelist - Rob DiMartino, attendees will learn how several CASE and NAIS peer schools from across the country and spanning the globe are using the power of their digital engagement platforms to retain and build enrollment.

From a family’s first interaction with your school’s website to when they are fully immersed in the life of the school, expectations for the digital experience of your school have been accelerated and changed permanently. From admissions to academics, athletics, and advancement, an integrated digital strategy—once a "nice to have"—is now a necessity.

Join us to learn how schools are delivering a connected, engaging digital experience that extend from the website to all-in-one communications (email, SMS, Text to Voice, automated email drip campaigns) including leveraging real time integration with Database management systems.

The GOAL is engagement. You cannot recruit, retain, cultivate or educate with out it.

Whether you report to a Director, a Vice President, or the President / Head of an institution, it is important to understand personality types and leadership styles and how to work with and accommodate each style. How do you adapt from an outgoing president or vice president who used a collaborative management style to an incoming president who is an autocrat with a Type A personality? This session will explore five leadership styles, three common management styles, and four key personality types with a panel that has 90 years of experience in Advancement at the college and private school level, including 50 years as vice presidents or CAOs and 10 years as the president at two different private schools. It will be facilitated by a Greater Boston business leader who has a doctorate in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University.

Let's dive into enhancing and growing your senior gift campaign. This workshop aims to provide participants with insights and practical tools to elevate their institutions' senior gift initiatives, from lessons learned at a peer institution. We will explore avenues to engage and inspire graduating seniors, that aims to foster a culture of philanthropy that extends beyond graduation.

Whether you are a seasoned advancement professional or new to the annual fund program, this session will give you a few ideas to try at your own institution. Join us to unlock the full potential of your senior gift program and make a lasting impact on both your donors and the future of your institution.

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!

Leveling the playing field for all families. More and more institutions are creating family engagement roles outside of the advancement office to better serve the general population of families. In this session, we’ll share our strategies and structures at our individual institutions, and highlight essential internal and external partners. Join us to learn how to engage and educate the parents and families that you serve.

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.