Donors—particularly major donors—are increasingly seeing their gifts as investments. And just like any corporate investor, they want to know their gifts’ ROI. Universities that leverage their president, chancellor, cabinet, and faculty chairs effectively to build authentic relationships with donors are the ones seeing the biggest returns in today’s philanthropic marketplace. University of Arkansas – Fort Smith has transformed its major giving program thanks to the relationships its Chancellor Terisa Riley and department chairs such as Kendall Ross have built with key stakeholders and donors. Since Dr. Riley arrived on campus three years ago, major giving has skyrocketed. The university is set to exceed its $75 million centennial campaign’s financial goal by 33 percent, with record individual gifts and giving levels.

To understand how other universities can build similar donor/president relationships, this presentation will focus on:

-the role of the university’s advancement office in the process
-qualifying and prioritizing the right donors
-ideal allocation of a president’s time to fundraising
-taking the first step in building the relationship
-the types of cultivation events or individual meetings that are most effective

Advancement and Development services are approaching a new horizon when working with internal employees and external partners. Through discovery work, Dallas College Advancement and Development has created a new model for leveraging funding using network systems to support students and provide partners with a roadmap for success. This session will explore the new model, its benefits, and how it can be used to create a more efficient and effective way to manage sponsored program projects.

Discover Texas State University's innovative strategic corporate engagement program, a pivotal step towards the coveted R1 status. Join us as we unveil a groundbreaking initiative that unites internal university stakeholders, aligning them with a singular vision and igniting powerful industry relationships. In partnership with UNITE Corporate Engagement, we'll delve into how this program opens doors to enhanced career services for students, support for academic excellence, expanded industry-sponsored research, and a boost for university-wide initiatives. Get ready to explore the future of corporate collaboration at Texas State University.

We all know that a robust donor pipeline is key to a sustainable, growth-oriented development operation. but how do we combine the relationship-building power of major gifts with the scalability of annual giving activities? The answer: Digital Experience Officers (DXOs)! In this session, you will hear how the OK State Foundation Annual Giving Team built a DXO program to engage and upgrade donors in the middle of the pyramid to identify and hand off the next generation of major gift prospects. Your presenters will share their experience building a program from the ground up, how they collaborated with peers to form a program that was right for their institution, and how the program has grown and changed in its initial two years.

So … you’re going into a campaign soon. Join me for a case study of the Texas Development Marketing and Communication team’s approach to the brand and marketing of The University of Texas at Austin’s $6 billion campaign. I’ll share a multimedia show-and-tell, our three-phase approach, and strategies to produce high-impact, award-winning web and video with zero budget and three team members.

The expectations from a gift officer to their research colleague can often be summed up by the famous words of Jerry McGuire, "SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!!!". While this may be true for some, we believe there is a better way, one of collaboration and communication. Please join us for a practical workshop where gift officers, researchers, and managers will walk away with some best practices on how to effectively collaborate and maximize fundraising success.

Fundraising is often described as both a science and an art. In pipeline building, we often only focus on the science of the equation by moving prospects in one direction of the donor pyramid. In this session, attendees will learn artful ways to rethink the traditional donor pipeline and strategies for collaborating with annual giving, prospect researchers, gift officers, and clinicians. Flipping the traditional model of donor acquisition that starts with annual giving and leads to major gifts, this session will highlight stories of successful collaboration and partnership with different starting points. Attendees will learn how to use this new model to increase donor engagement, new donors, and gifts.

Fundraising organizations play a critical role in our culture and the communities they serve, but they must be well-run and efficient to achieve their goals. If we're being honest, though, our organizations are often resource-poor, inefficient, and even behind the times. Building an effective organization through growth and change can be especially difficult.

In this session, Jake Logan, VP for Advancement at UTEP, and Chelsea Lamego, FundMiner CEO and previous AVP for Advancement Operations at UTEP, will discuss the innovative and analytical approach to organizational change that helped them garner the support of stakeholders across their organizations and exceed expectations along the way.

Jake & Chelsea will share real-life experiences you can apply to fundraising operations in any nonprofit organization on its path to success. They will discuss actionable methods to help you be more strategic, allocate your resources more effectively, and ultimately significantly impact the people you serve.

Donor relations pros and front line fundraisers rejoice. Let's work together to make fundraising magic. This session will provide a partnership roadmap for your fundraising shop. We'll fill your magic toolbox with proactive strategies, processes, and tips to dazzle even your biggest critics. You'll raise more money, make a bigger impact, and enjoy some belly laughs along the way.

Discover the Power of Planned Giving: Join us as we delve into a College Foundation's journey towards establishing a robust legacy program. Learn firsthand how strategic investments paved the way to identify and engage planned giving prospects, securing invaluable future gift intentions. Explore the Path to Lasting Impact: Uncover the transformative potential of planned gifts in ensuring the enduring success and sustainability of your institution. Gain insights into effective strategies for cultivating meaningful donor relationships and fostering a legacy of support. Join us as we navigate the roadmap to securing your institution's future through intentional planned giving initiatives