We all know you can’t ask for the next unless you have successfully stewarded (and spent!) the last one. Join us as we dive into the complexities of fund compliance and utilization programs, what makes them successful (or not!), and the indispensable partnerships across your division and the campus that ensure their success. Whether you are in advancement services or a frontline fundraiser, everyone has a role to play in this space. We will explore the core components of a program that ensures your philanthropic funds are spent according to donor intent and to maximum capacity. We will explore strategies to strengthen collaboration between multiple key stakeholders for a more cohesive and effective approach. From data, reporting, metrics, and engagement and education programs, we will cover what you need to strengthen and streamline your fund stewardship program. Using real-life case studies from two rock solid donor compliance programs in the District, we'll give you all the tools you need to ensure success in this challenging space.

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.

This session challenges the traditional model of community college grant development which can be reactive and inefficient. Leaders from the Dallas College Advancement & Development team will share why and how they have shifted toward a culture of strategic grant seeking. Learn how to use grants strategically to advance the innovation efforts of your college in a proactive and effective way. Participants will gain tools, insights, and strategies they can immediately deploy.

This session focuses on how to develop a playbook centered on integral principles of fundraising that are too often an afterthought for organizations: stewardship, marketing, and communications. Few organizations have a built-in donor base and even those who do, must stand out when cultivating gifts. Whether a small department or a large university, this session will provide practical examples and tactics for unique and meaningful stewardship that inspires donors during acquisition, cultivation and recognition events. The session will hone messaging and marketing that focuses on your organization’s mission, purpose and impact that resonates with any audience including the business community.

Behavior-based donor engagement and recognition is the way of the future. With limited staff, resources, and endless priorities and goals to meet, we must implement programs that scale in customization and is designed to affect retention, loyalty, and future fundraising. By developing a program based on donor behaviors, in lieu of arbitrary giving amounts, we can ensure we are communicating gratitude and impact to donors at all levels of giving. Beyond first-time donors, there are a slew of critical donor populations that also want and deserve great giving experiences! One size does not fit all, and as we look to tailor communications, events, and recognition based on DX best practices, we must prioritize and plan appropriately and efficiently – it requires both strategy and creativity! Loyal, lapsed, trifecta, monthly, renewed, and more—let's explore priority donor behaviors that drive the entire donor pipeline.

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

Legal concerns in advancement aren't just for planned giving anymore. Whatever you do in advancement – fundraising, alumni relations, communications, or advancement services – knowing how the law affects your work could make the difference between celebrating success and a costly lawsuit. Learn from a "recovering attorney" and advancement veteran about key principles and situations to consider, whether you're planning an event, managing a fundraising campaign, writing a press release, maintaining a database, or organizing a reunion. You'll hear about plenty of real-world examples, so bring your hardest questions and toughest challenges to this lively, engaging, and interactive session – no retainer required!