An interactive and insightful session that explores how advancement marketing and communications can evolve from a support function to a strategic partner in higher education institutions. Discover the strategies, challenges, and successes involved in transforming your MarComm team to play a more pivotal role in alumni and donor engagement, major and principal level fundraising, and collaborating effectively with frontline gift officers to drive impactful results. Attendees will leave with actionable insights and approaches for elevating their MarComm teams into strategic partners in achieving institutional goals.

Are you struggling with how to fundraise for research? Join this interactive session to explore strategies and tools to increase philanthropy for science, innovation, and experimentation. Learn how to inspire both individual and institutional donors with the excitement of investing in discoveries and transformation that advance the mission of your institution. You will learn at least three strategies for fundraising for research that you can immediately implement in your institution's efforts!

Mentorship programming is one of the most sought-after and rewarding volunteer opportunities an alma mater can offer to its alumni. The problem, though, is that it is also an initiative that takes a tremendous amount of time, effort, and resources to run successfully, all while balancing your other duties. However, with proper coordination and open communication (a LOT of communication), it is possible to do it at scale, regardless of the size of your shop. You just have to get everyone on campus involved. Easy, right? Hear how Saint Francis University’s Offices of Alumni Engagement and Career Services partnered together to bring Mentorship Week to campus and expanded its yearly Homecoming tradition. Learn how to pool resources with your colleagues, leverage your relationships to get buy-in from faculty and staff, and implement the timeline and logistics necessary to create your own marquee mentorship program that benefits everyone: current students, alumni, fundraisers, student enrollment, specialized student services, and more.

Do you have an institution almost 300 years old but lacking a formal principal gifts program? Have you relied on your major gift donors' support to continue fueling your pipeline and perhaps even be the cornerstones of a campaign? Do you have a committed, albeit philanthropically hesitant Board of Trustees willing to dig their feet in and raise the bar for your institution? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this session is for you! Join us as we discuss the state of giving at Moravian University and how one particular donor served as the catalyst for our Principal Gift Program. We will also discuss how our newly formed Principal Gift Program has allowed us to surpass our campaign goal of $75M two years early.

Can a company’s DEI goals move past checking a box and lead to more meaningful partnerships with diversity programs at your institution? These programs can have an immeasurable impact on students when donors and partners are truly invested in taking these initiatives to the next level. This session will show you how to highlight the powerful work of student diversity programs during important conversations with corporate donors and help them invest in student success beyond their dollars. Additionally, the session will cover strategies for using these initiatives as a starting point for meaningful engagement with individual alumni. Learn about organizations that went beyond the checkbox and discover how to engage diverse alumni both philanthropically and through purposeful volunteer opportunities.

Join us to hear about the magic that happens when silos are broken down and the different parts of advancement are strategically woven together, from business planning to program execution and even during everyday chat around the watercooler. Genuine engagement brings together all of these pieces and keeps your organization's mission at its core.

Identify with clear examples and donor success stories, how Princeton Universities has leveraged several initiatives within their current campaign to maximize the philanthropic intent with a focus on identifying future leaders. Of them, giving societies, innovative gift opportunities, targeted volunteer engagement opportunities, and leveraging the influence and expertise of alumni leaders and University professionals.

Talking about money is hard enough. What happens when you add death and religion to the mix? Although, 100% of donors are mortal, fundraisers struggle with legacy giving conversations. Three experienced fundraisers – a Jew, a Christian and a Muslim – explain death and legacy giving in their traditions. Often left out in legacy giving conversations is religiously active donors who - statistics show – give larger charitable gifts compared to other donors. Bekkers, René and Theo Schuyt (2008) and Brown, E. and J. Ferris. (2007) show that people with strong religious convictions often have stronger pro-social and altruistic values, which motivate them to give more of their time and money to others. Also, because they are integrated into networks of congregational members, they would appear to be solicited more often and to feel more social pressure to give and to meet the group's standards.

Join us for an enlightening seminar on the revolutionary impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in donor relations. Discover how AI technologies are transforming the way development professionals engage with donors, streamline fundraising efforts, and enhance donor experiences. This session will delve into: * Personalized Donor Engagement: Learn how AI can create tailored communication strategies that resonate with individual donors, boosting engagement and loyalty. * Predictive Analytics: Explore the power of AI in predicting donor behavior, identifying potential major donors, and optimizing fundraising campaigns for maximum impact. * Automated Administrative Tasks: See how AI can handle routine administrative tasks, freeing up valuable time for development professionals to focus on relationship-building. * Data-Driven Decision Making: Understand how AI-driven insights can inform strategic decisions, ensuring your donor relations efforts are both efficient and effective. * Ethical Considerations: Discuss the ethical implications of using AI in donor relations, ensuring your practices align with organizational values and donor expectations. This seminar is designed for development professionals eager to harness the latest AI technologies to elevate their donor relations strategies. Whether you're a seasoned expert or new to the field, you'll leave with actionable insights and innovative ideas to implement in your organization. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and revolutionize your donor engagement practices!