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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Join four fundraisers from the University of Oregon for an exciting conversation about working the mid-level! Topics covered will include donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies; moving donors along the pipeline from annual giving to major gifts; and navigating career growth as a frontline fundraiser. Bring your questions and be ready for some real talk!

Learn how advancement services at the University of Manitoba became the catalyst for a data-driven transformation and a hub of innovation. This journey began with a bold statement: "to become a data-driven organization." By implementing direct changes, advancement services evolved from a small service unit into a dynamic solutions provider. This transformation rapidly expanded to adjacent business units and, within just four years, reached central departments and faculties. Discover the best practices and strategies that fueled this rapid evolution, and learn how to apply these principles to foster innovation and data-driven decision-making in your own organization. Join us for an inspiring session filled with actionable insights and proven success stories.

With career pivots and side hustles becoming the norm, the alumni community’s appetite for ongoing career support is stronger than ever. The University of Calgary has successfully implemented a comprehensive suite of alumni career development initiatives designed to support professional growth and cultivate lifelong relationships. This session explains our multi-faceted approach, highlighting key career development offerings that have significantly increased alumni engagement and improved the lives of thousands of our alumni. These offerings are highly replicable and can be initiated by other institutions to improve engagement, all while providing life-changing support that positively impacts their alumni and greater community. The success of our innovative alumni programming is evidenced by increased participation rates, positive feedback, and the strengthened sense of community among our alumni. By sharing our strategies and outcomes, we aim to inspire other institutions to adopt similar approaches, ultimately enhancing alumni engagement and their lifelong career development.