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District VIII Annual Conference 2025
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12 Results Found
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PST
Pre-Conference Workshop: Finding (and Keeping) Focus In A Distracting World
We have too many things to do, and there's no end in sight. As fundraisers in higher education, we are all navigating complex issues every day. The daily stream of news, events, and pressure related to resource development in higher education is a lot to manage. Finding and staying in a productive zone can be daunting, and burnout is often nipping at our heels. This will be an interactive session that creates space for sharing best practices for laser focus in a complex and over-scheduled world. *Separate registration required
Speakers: Crystal Froembling, Senior Director of Development, Portland State University Foundation
Competencies: Integrity and ProfessionalismStrategic Thinking
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM PST
Relationship Insights: Transforming Research for the Future of Fundraising
Prospect research is quickly evolving away from traditional research due to advancement in data, technology, and AI and moving towards proactive analytics that delivers actionable, data-informed insights that directly impact fundraising decision making.
To keep ahead of these trends, the Oregon State University (OSU) Foundation embarked on a three-year initiative to redefine its research approach by creating a dynamic, proactive, data-informed program prioritizing close partnerships with Development and emphasizing strategic conversations grounded in analytics.
This new approach resulted in the formation of the newly branded Relationship Insights team at the OSU Foundation.
Recognized with a 2024 Silver CASE Circle of Excellence award, this presentation tells the story of how the OSU Foundation went from Research to Relationship Insights. We will share how other organizations can adopt similar approaches to enhance their organization's research and fundraising efforts by providing more proactive value to their development officers, and what the future holds for the Relationship Insights team.
Speakers: Jenna Proctor, Assistant Director, Relationship Insights, Oregon State University Foundation, Matthew Smith, Senior Director, Relationship Insights, Oregon State University Foundation
Competencies: Strategic ThinkingRelationship Building
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM PST
We've Been Overthinking Alumni Engagement Metrics
For years, alumni engagement leaders have been feeling the burn of quantifying the results of our work. Never as easy to quantify as dollars in the door and other frontline fundraiser metrics, we find ourselves trying to justify funding and support for our work without being able to show the ROI as easily as frontline fundraisers. Have we been making it too complicated?
In this session, Ellen Whitlock Baker and Aaron Clarry will outline how we have created an efficient way to measure and report alumni engagement metrics at Seattle University because of the strong partnership we’ve developed between our two shops.
We will show how you can simply collect and report out on some of the CASE AEM data, even if you can’t track it all. We’ll also show examples of key reports to leaders and team members to keep alumni engagement metrics accurate and top of mind.
This session is great for alumni engagement professionals as well as those who work in advancement services roles; it’s with our power combined that we are able to more effectively report on engagement KPIs.
Speakers: Aaron Clarry, Assistant Vice President, Advancement Services, Seattle University, Ellen Whitlock Baker, Founder and Principal, EWB Coaching
Competencies: Industry or Sector ExpertiseStrategic Thinking
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM PST
The Technology of Mentorship and how to Leverage Alumni Engagement
Mentorship is not a numbers game, it is an opportunity to connect your alumni community in a tangible way to the institution and future alumni. By creating an interconnected, fulsome mentorship platform that encourages connection worldwide, you expand the ability of alumni and students to achieve greater success in their careers and personal development, while enhancing the reputation of your institution.
Speakers: Andrea Christensen, Sr Alumni Career Development Specialist, University of Calgary, Kathleen Ralph, Lead, Alumni Mentorship, University of Calgary
Competencies: Relationship BuildingStrategic Thinking
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM PST
Get Unstuck and Make Big Changes
Are you feeling the need for a big change but have no idea how to get started? Maybe it’s that you’re burned out of your current role, wanting more (or less!) responsibility, needing to take charge of your work/life balance.
The massive disruption in our way of life brought by the pandemic has shaken loose many folks' desire to make big changes - in life, in careers, or both. The way we work changed forever, and with everything that came with the pandemic many now see with clarity that we want to do things differently…but have no idea how to start.
In this session, Ellen Whitlock Baker will lead you through methods to start to explore big changes, whether they be in your work or life. Using the “Immunity to Change” model, we’ll walk through how to assess your current state, identify what you want to change, and explore what’s holding you back. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to begin to make those changes you’ve been thinking about...and the first steps to take to get started.
Speakers: Ellen Whitlock Baker, Founder and Principal, EWB Coaching
Competencies: LeadershipEmotional Intelligence
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM PST
Collaboration Chronicles: A Case Study in Revenue Transformation
In this session, we will explore a real-world case study that demonstrates how collaboration, strategic planning, and effective stakeholder engagement can drive revenue growth and transform an organization. Imagine starting at a new organization raising just $600,000 a year and transforming it to a consistent $3 million a year in revenue after just 18 months.
We’ll explore the practical strategies that fueled our growth and how to create a collaborative relationship with Faculty and Advancement leadership. Join us to learn more about this journey where people power and relationships led to dramatic financial transformation!
Speakers: Karina Chow, Director, Advancement, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Katie Hearn, Senior Associate Director, Advancement - Faculty of Applied Sciences, Simon Fraser University
Competencies: Strategic ThinkingRelationship Building
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM PST
Rediscovering Discovery: How OSU Launched Its Most Comprehensive Campaign Yet
In this multi-disciplinary approach, learn how Oregon State University crafted its most comprehensive discovery program to date. This presentation will showcase how we blend traditional marketing and analytics with cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify and connect with potential donors. Learn about our newly formed team of development officers dedicated exclusively to this critical work, and discover how this program is also driving our volunteer engagement efforts. In an industry facing a challenging donor landscape, this program represents a forward-thinking solution to rejuvenate and expand OSU's donor base, ensuring a sustainable and thriving future for the organization.
Speakers: Andrew Phillips, Director of Pipeline Development, Oregon State University Foundation
Competencies: Industry or Sector ExpertiseStrategic Thinking
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM PST
Thank them thoroughly: comprehensive planning for giving day stewardship
Take your annual giving day to the next level by enhancing the ways you follow up with your generous donors. Show them their impact and build those relationships with meaningful stewardship. In this session, you’ll receive examples for creating a comprehensive stewardship plan, audit your giving day thank yous, streamline your stewardship process, report back on your giving day success and gain templates you can adapt for your institution. This session will also highlight fun events to build connections with donors as well as your giving day partners.
Speakers: Sara Dier, Annual Giving Director of Engagement & Stewardship, Oregon State University Foundation, Cathleen Hockman-Wert, Director, Communications, Oregon State University Foundation
Competencies: Industry or Sector ExpertiseRelationship Building
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM PST
Scalable Stewardship: Tailoring Technology for a Perfect Fit
Explore how technology can enhance donor experiences with bespoke, scalable stewardship through new communication developments at Oregon State University. Faced with rising expectations for personalized touchpoints and a notable 20% increase in major gift donors over the past five years, the Oregon State University Foundation’s Stewardship team partnered with Fundmetric, an AI-driven fundraising platform. Together, they have begun pioneering unique communications custom-fitted to donors’ interests. Despite having only one team member dedicated to this effort, OSU Stewardship now harnesses this approach to amplify outreach and create tailored experiences for thousands of donors. Join us to explore how your team can craft communications and weave in data to deliver personalized luxury at scale.
Speakers: Francis Brideau, Account Manager, Fundmetric, Rachel Stark, Director of Stewardship, Oregon State University Foundation
Competencies: Industry or Sector ExpertiseRelationship Building
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM PST
Build a scalable qualification strategy to super boost your ROE/ROI
Come join UVic’s Leadership Giving Team to learn how, with minimal resources and a team of three, they secured a 50% response rate to their invitation to meet, and over 20% positive responses, including major gifts and new student awards.
With a comprehensive campaign on the horizon, all hands are on deck to help identify new prospects to support UVic’s ambitious goals. Through a multi-channel, personalized qualification strategy, the newly established Leadership Giving team (raising gifts in the 1k-25k/year range) launched a personalized invitation to meet -- and in the process, developed a scalable qualification model on a shoestring budget.
Learn about their DIY approach and leave with ideas, and a solid plan to uncover prospects in your own database.
Speakers: Amber Arthur, Manager, Leadership Giving, University of Victoria, Cheryl Webb, Leadership Giving Officer, University of Victoria
Competencies: Relationship BuildingStrategic Thinking