In today's competitive landscape, engaging donors and alumni effectively is crucial, even when resources are limited. Big budgets do not always equal big impact! In this session, seasoned engagement professionals from Washington and Lee University and UVA's Darden School of Business will unveil their most impactful donor touches and event enhancements that cost nothing and will share lessons learned. This session will highlight ways to leverage existing resources and partnerships and will showcase practical, cost-effective ideas that add value and authenticity to your events. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to elevate their engagement and stewardship programs. The session will be interactive, featuring case studies, practical examples, and opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and discussion. Come prepared with your best event extras to share with the group!

W&L's first year of utilizing a named Annual Fund scholarship for the 5th and 10th reunion gifts broke dollar goals early, inspired collective philanthropy, created authentic connections to incoming students, led with impact and invested in ongoing stewardship. Learn how your school can create similar programs that align institutional priorities with young alumni philanthropic interests, generating authentic, long-term relationships with your next generation of donors.

This session will discuss the strengths and opportunities of a college-specific development officer versus a centralized model at Jacksonville State University (JSU). We'll explore how these different approaches impact fundraising effectiveness, donor relationships, and overall advancement strategies at Jax State.

"Every person on the planet has sass and smart-sass qualities in them." - Dictionary.com . Do you know and have the skill sets to solicit, acknowledge, and steward the gifts your charity seeks? What are the most important attributes in each category? If you've closed the gift and acknowledged why should you be included in the stewardship?

Relationship building is the heart of philanthropy. The listening skills a fundraiser needs to be successful at building strong relationships with donors and prospects differs from your usual listening activities in work and life. In this session, you’ll learn the components of active listening and how to develop your listening skills to build solid and lasting relationships. This session will focus on building cultural competencies and practicing emotional intelligence to take your fundraising to the next level.

This presentation delves into the motivational psyche of millennial alumni donors at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), particularly exploring Florida A&M University (FAMU) graduates' giving behaviors. It unpacks the critical factors that drive this demographic to engage in philanthropy, presenting a multifaceted view of alumni giving that interweaves personal belief systems, institutional connections, transparency in fund utilization, and the financial capability of individuals as they progress in their careers.

Through an exploratory qualitative analysis, the study bridges the gap between traditional alumni giving strategies and the evolving philanthropic landscape shaped by millennials. It underscores the significance of tailored communication, acknowledging the generational demand for transparency and the impact of personal growth experienced during the formative college years on later financial giving.

Explore the evolution of annual giving strategies from traditional methods such as phonation and mailers, to creative communications and digital engagement in this insightful session. Discover how innovative approaches in online giving, digital communications, social media integration, and texting have transformed the landscape of annual fundraising. Gain a deeper understanding of how these advancements have revitalized and reengaged alumni and donors, paving the way for a more inclusive, effective, dynamic and modern annual giving model.

The higher education landscape is constantly evolving, presenting both challenges and opportunities for fundraisers. From navigating new regulations and technologies to adapting to the shifting priorities of students and donors, leadership must ensure their institution operates at the highest level and utilizes current best practices. A robust suite of highly-tailored policies and procedures can be the key to ensuring your college is equipped to serve your communities and prepare for a bright future. The Broward College Foundation and CCS Fundraising recently partnered on an audit to assess the current state of the foundation’s policies and procedures. This collaboration led to the development of a new, comprehensive suite of policies designed to enhance operations and protect against emerging threats. Join CCS and BCF as they discuss the essential policies your institution needs to support enhanced operations and mitigate risks such as digital currency gift acceptance and naming policies in the age of cancel culture.

Everyone wishes to better engage with their alumni and donors, but how do you leverage digital technology to so? The Marketing & Digital Strategy team at Emory Advancement & Alumni Engagement will showcase our approach to marketing and digital engagement and how we've strategically utilized digital technology to create a cohesive and tailored approach to build trusting and lifelong relationships with alumni and donors.

Giving Tuesday is the biggest giving day in the world, so getting a foothold can be difficult. Austin Peay reimagined this crowded giving day to make a larger impact through project based fundraising. Come learn how a small shop with limited tools was able to invigorate faculty and staff, and reengage alumni and friends, and fund more than 30 projects across campus.