This session will provide findings from survey results, provide tools to navigate conversations with dissenting opinions, and harness the power of honoring traditions and values of the past while forging a relevant and progressive future. Attendees will learn how to engage alumni and donors in a way that empowers them to join in the vision, and identify when to detach from donors who do not uphold the institution’s current mission and vision.

Embarking on a leadership role in advancement can be both exhilarating and challenging. While many of us began our advancement careers as specialists, (making in-person asks for big gifts, mastering back-office processes, creating marketing materials, etc.), sooner or later, we find ourselves managing teams. While we may be experts at “making the ask” or “mapping appeal code structures,” oftentimes new managers can find ourselves at a loss when required to give effective performance reviews or coach up a new team member. This session is tailored for advancement professionals who have recently taken the step from being practitioners to managing teams. You will hear from three of your colleagues who have made this leap and are now successful industry leaders. Madison, Karl, and Adrian will introduce you to the dynamic world of advancement teams, providing essential insights, strategies, and tools to help you become a more successful team manager and leader.

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.

Mentorship Matters: Join a University President and a frontline gift officer for a panel discussion to learn how their 7 year plus mentorship relationship has strengthened and advanced their careers. Learn how you can utilize their example of a strategic mentoring relationship to build your own mentoring network to advance your development career and grow in your professional development as an advancement professional.

You’ve heard about A.I., but have you heard about S.I.? Strategic Initiatives (S.I.) is an emerging niche in higher education advancement that is changing the field. The term "strategic initiatives" is not new, of course, but as one advancement leader recently said, "Everyone wants S.I., very few have it, and even fewer are doing it well." Participants in this round table session will: (1) learn about S.I. in higher education fundraising, (2) identify different S.I. models, and (3) discuss the opportunities and barriers of integrating one or more S.I. roles, transformational support for large-scale institutional priorities, and interdisciplinary research initiatives at their institution.

Transform your university's culture and impact with a dynamic Employee Giving Program! Learn how to plan, execute, and evaluate this game-changing initiative. Empower your staff to make a difference while boosting morale and funding critical projects. Elevate your university's mission with our proven strategies and watch your community thrive.

In this highly competitive talent market, what components of the interview process and resulting offer attract new team members? What keeps high performers with your team? And, what are the distinctive differences in strategy between attracting the best professionals and retaining them? Join this panel of leaders known for building healthy, high-performing teams as they share creative ideas, challenges, and insights in talent acquisition and retention. Come for strategies, ideas, discussion and debate with this panel of CASE IV advancement leaders.

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.

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!