In today's rapidly evolving world, the advancement services landscape faces unique challenges and opportunities. This session delves into the innovative solutions and strategies that have emerged to streamline gift processing in the context of a 100% remote work environment at the University of Virginia.
Gift processing is a critical function for any educational institution or nonprofit organization, and with the shift to remote work, the demand for efficient, secure, and scalable solutions has never been greater. This session will explore the cutting-edge technology and best practices that empower advancement services professionals to adapt and thrive in this new era.

Collaboration, facilitated by cross-institutional strategic alignment of objectives and credit- and information sharing, is a guiding principle in contemporary university fundraising. But HOW does that work get effectively and holistically done in large, decentralized, and dispersed universities with many competing priorities? This presentation identifies a series of concrete strategies, building on examples from a large College of Arts and Sciences at a public R1 flagship characterized by a high level of strategic alignment between the Dean's Office, front-line fundraisers, and alumni relations. We examine the visioning process we undertook to identify the opportunity for transformational change and then move into the tactics: principles and practices of stakeholder engagement in the Dean's office and among faculty, department heads, and program leaders; design and implementation of a gift officer liaison model; strategica engagement of the Advisory Board; and mobilizing positive accountability and dynamic metrics staff and faculty roles. We draw conclusions about what works from the transformational results we have seen over a nearly two-year period. We also address how to overcome organizational resistance, enhance collaborative culture, and storytell around the endeavor.

“In the weeds” is restaurant worker slang for being so busy—hungry customers lined up at the door, every table occupied, orders pouring out of the ticket machine, the kitchen a clamoring chaos of smoke and fire—that you’re lost amid a thicket of competing obligations. This can happen in higher ed, too, whether because of staffing shortages, financial challenges, political environments, or just plain drowning in work at a busy time of year. In this session, your presenter will draw upon his five years of experience as a restaurant line cook to present leadership strategies for surviving the busiest of slams. We’ll discuss the five kinds of leadership you can activate no matter what role you occupy—illustrated by examples from higher ed and from critically acclaimed TV show The Bear—so that the next time you find yourself lost in the weeds you can lead the way out.

Veteran Students and Alumni Need You! Learn how the creation of a Veterans Affinity Group (VAG), a CASE Circle of Excellence award-winning initiative, transformed the lives of veterans within the York Technical College community. Recognizing the growing need for support and community among our veteran population, the VAG was launched through a collaborative campus and community effort and serves alumni, students, and college employees.

The Mission: foster a sense of belonging, provide essential resources, and create opportunities for growth and connection for our veterans. The VAG has become a dynamic hub of empowerment and support, organizing networking events and facilitating access to crucial educational and career resources. Thanks to the positive work of the VAG, the group has launched an affinity group-driven fundraising initiative to establish an endowed scholarship for veterans.

Cultivate a thriving culture of excellence through thoughtful professional development, learn how we have prioritized retaining and growing top talent through staff engagement, trust, feedback, and programming. By focusing on these areas, you can cultivate a culture of excellence where professional development is not just a process but a strategic initiative that drives organizational success and employee satisfaction.