Join conference leadership to meet the faculty, review conference highlights and learn how to make the most out of our time together. Then we’ll dive right into a session gleaning insight on the education landscape, trends in philanthropy, and topics of interest to all attendees via an interactive faculty panel. Topics will be sourced from the faculty and from your answers in the preconference survey. Come ready to share what you are experiencing at your institution.

When you think about discovery and qualification, most people think about identifying prospect and reaching out to determine their capacity and inclination but there is so much more to uncover and so many paths to reach those desired results. In this session we will discuss the art of discovery through your donor file, your organization’s needs and desires and your personal goals and objectives. We will share best practices to have meaningful conversations at the first meeting and how to qualify and disqualify new prospective donors moving them into more strategic conversations.

How do you manage your prospect and donor portfolio? Is it a daily priority? Are you actively creating strategies to move relationships forward? We all know our portfolios are the indispensable factor that makes our work successful; however, do we spend enough effort properly managing them? It doesn’t matter the type of prospects you work with, let’s spend some time discussing ideas for successful portfolio management and how to make our work more effective.

You've organized your portfolio and now you are facing the task of crafting next steps for each stage - from qualification through stewardship. How do you move from one stage to the next - and then the next? And on top of that, devise a custom-tailored strategy for each prospect? Let's talk about best practices and tried and true tips for smoothly transitioning for success.

The most important factor in success (or lack thereof) as major gift officer is YOU. With the right attitude, hard work and by forming the right habits you can dramatically increase your chances for success. How you approach, plan, execute and track your work matters. This session will help you identify the characteristics, competencies, and habits of highly successful gift officers - but it all starts with having the right mindset, outlook and approach.

We've all been faced with the challenge of having to pivot on the spot - whether during a meeting - or afterward when we've been turned down by a donor. What can we do in the moment, and what can we do to bounce back from a rejection with a new plan of action? We will share stories of how we have turned a corner or changed direction altogether as a way to continue the conversation with a prospect or donor.

What is the difference between thanking and stewarding donors for their generosity? How does real stewardship create impact? Whether you have the luxury of working with a robust stewardship department, or (more likely) you are personally responsible for stewarding your donors, stewardship is the lifeblood of what we do; however, far too often it is relegated to the end of the cycle of philanthropy, etc. What happens if you disrupt that model and start stewarding prospects before they are even giving at their highest capacity? How do we balance our work in active fundraising and solicitation with our responsibility to steward our donors? What elements are employed in excellent versus mundane stewardship practices? And what qualities are donors really looking for when they are being stewarded?

It is often said, if an institution is not currently in a campaign, it is planning for one. During this session we will discuss the various types of fundraising campaigns, structures and components of a typical campaign, sample timelines, collaborating with volunteers, and why campaigns are important. Whether you have campaign experience or you are looking forward to participating in your first, let’s examine the components that make campaigns an exciting time at our institutions… and how you can participate!

Collaboration between higher education institutions and industry partners presents a wealth of opportunities for fundraising and strategic advancement. This session will explore best practices for engaging campus stakeholders, corporate sponsors, and industry leaders to drive philanthropic support and create mutually beneficial partnerships. Attendees will gain insights into aligning institutional priorities with industry interests, leveraging faculty expertise, and fostering long-term relationships that lead to increased funding opportunities. Real-world case studies and actionable strategies will equip participants with the tools to build and sustain impactful partnerships.

Fundraising is a combination of art and science: being a good listener, showing empathy, and validating your donor's thoughts and feelings. At the same time it requires the discipline of moves management, metrics, and tried and true strategies. But how do you do both? We'll examine how and why the best approach to closing a gift most frequently requires stepping back and ensuring you are tapping into your toolbox - and paying attention to clues and cues from your prospects.