In this session, we’ll discuss what academic research tells us about giving: why people give (both in life and death), what it means to them, and the benefits that it offers our supporters. We’ll link the findings to professional practice, drawing on examples from HE and the wider charity sector.

As fundraisers increasingly look to deliver better supporter experiences which minimise lapsing and build donor loyalty, the key question remains ‘how do you know it’s working?’. Appeal response rates and income can only tell you so much, and they can’t tell how you should improve the supporter experience. In 2024 the University of Bristol, along with the universities of Manchester and Kingston and Trinity College Dublin, took part in a pioneering pilot of Beautiful Insight’s SAFE Index. This allowed them to measure supporter engagement, via a supporter survey, and benchmark their own performance versus the sector and their peers. This session will share the key results of the pilot and in particular Bristol’s experiences of the research and its implication for their stewardship programme, including: • Audience insight data for Bristol’s supporters, including segment insight for four key supporter segments • Measurable data on the importance of their alumni magazine • Their 'future intention to give' score being above the sector benchmark but with significant competition for 'share of wallet' • Direct debit donors leaning towards nostalgia and supporting today’s students. • Leadership Giving donors leaning towards pride, maintaining quality of education and research, and more specific motivational statements when it comes to supporting students • Active cash donors were more likely to say that 'I feel they understand why I support them' compared to DD donors, prompting tweaks in their programme programme. The session will also cover: • The SAFE Index approach to measuring the supporter experience • Insights into which parts of the experience have the biggest impact on future giving intentions • The link between positive supporter feedback and supporter ‘s future value and loyalty –the ‘ROI’ of better supporter experiences

We all know it's crucial to keep hold of first-time donors. But with universities raising money for an ever diverse range of projects and with budgets tightening, how do you get your donors to give again? Heather Clement, Head of Individual Giving at the University of Sheffield will tell you how Sheffield has reinvigorated their regular giving programme to get first time and cash donors giving the 'holy grail': an unrestricted regular gift. Heather will also share whether it's possible to shift supporter behaviour and convert community fundraisers and volunteers into donors. Jemma Roper Gurr, Deputy Director, Development at The University of Manchester will join Heather to share practical strategies for improving first-time donor retention. Spoiler alert – donor retention starts before the first gift is made!

Join experienced development directors and coaches, Salima Virji and Tim Pottle, in an interactive session to give you some tools to stay mentally fit and resilient whilst fundraising. We’ll explore boundaries, self-awareness, realism vs ambition, and mental fitness. Be ready for deep thinking and a good dose of optimism and joy.

Tom Travell has recently joined UCL to reimagine and relaunch their regular giving programme, bringing over 15 years’ experience in charity individual giving, most recently as Head of Acquisition at the British Red Cross. In this session he'll share key lessons from individual giving in the charity sector that can be applied to HE regular giving. You'll hear about planning journeys that drive engagement and inspire repeat giving, how to harness relevance, and what you can learn from humanitarian emergency appeals. Whether you're focused on maximising income or building a pipeline to legacies and major donors, have a large budget and team or a smaller budget and you are the team, there will be actionable take-aways for your programme.