All sessions
Summer Institute in Advancement Services 2024
Summer Institute in Advancement Services 2024
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54 Results Found
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT
Development Planning: Working with Fundraisers on Proposals and Goal Setting
Enhance your development strategy with this insightful session on collaborating with fundraisers to set and achieve meaningful goals. Learn effective techniques for aligning fundraiser objectives with organizational priorities, establishing realistic and ambitious targets, and monitoring progress. Explore best practices for fostering strong partnerships between development staff and fundraisers to drive success and maximize impact.
Speakers: Armin Afsahi, Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development, University of Chicago, Katie Harrell, Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Organizational Development, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT
Show Me the Money: Impact Reporting
Uncover the art of Impact Reporting in this insightful presentation, where we delve into defining impact and the diverse types of stories organizations can tell. Learn how to identify meaningful narratives with the help of advancement services and discover strategies to share these stories effectively, even on a limited budget. We'll cover practical tips for storytelling techniques and cost-efficient communication methods that highlight your organization's successes. Join us to understand how to craft and share compelling impact stories that resonate and showcase your organizations values.
Speakers: Sarah Lawlor, Director of Development for Operations and Programs, College of Engineering Foundation, North Carolina State University, Teresa Valerio Parrot, Principal, TVP Communications
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT
Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving Metrics in Campaigns
From “annual fund in a campaign”: All of our institutions are either preparing for, in the midst of, or transitioning out of a campaign. There is no absolute truth about whether to integrate your annual fund (and alumni engagement goals) into the campaign, but there are some important considerations to address before you make your decision. And you may even discover mid-way that you want to go in a different direction. This discussion will explore some of the pros, cons, and factors to consider in deciding how, when or if to use your campaign to promote annual giving (and alumni engagement).
Speakers: Lishelle Blakemore, Associate Vice Chancellor, Development, University Development and Alumni Relations, University of California, Berkeley, Caryn Schultz Korman, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Alumni & Donor Engagement, University of Illinois Chicago
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT
The Starting Line: Program Level Strategic Thinking and Planning
Your head is full of everything you've learned about annual giving, alumni, volunteer engagement, personal solicitations, direct mail, prospect management, advancement services, communications and campaigns. Now what? How do you pull together all the pieces for a successful program? Strategic thinking and planning, of course! We'll discuss ways to plan for success, whether you're managing an office, a program, a staff-or just yourself.
So, you have a great idea but aren’t sure how to get the green light. Have been asked to take on developing a new program to engage alumni and donors, but don’t know where to start? In this session, we will cover the ins and outs of strategic planning not just at the organization-wide level, but also at the program or department level. We will cover the why, approaches for ensuring ROI, managing outcomes, aligning resources, and lead an interactive exercise to support the development of meaningful roadmaps.
Speakers: Heidi Hanson McCrory, Vice President for Development, Furman University, Erika Jordan, Vice President Alumni Engagement, Boston University
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT
Face to Face: The Art of Listening
As a leadership annual fund or major gift professional, you can become a detective or anthropologist, uncovering clues to your donor's philanthropic interests, motivations and values. And, like a good detective or anthropologist, you have many different tools for gaining the information you need. In this session, we will identify some of the critical skills needed to be a strategic listener and observer and an active participant in relationship building.
Speakers: Trish Jackson, Chief Advancement Officer, Northfield Mount Hermon School
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT
How to Write Emails People Will Read
Do people read emails anymore? Yes—they do. But not the way you think. This talk will show you exactly how to write subject lines, optimize your links, and lay out your email copy so your message gets across. In this session, you’ll learn: How to write good subject lines that increase open rates. Typical email reading patterns and how to use them to your advantage. How to appropriately use formatting and white space. Recommendations on sentence structure and reading level. How to use links and buttons to guarantee click-through. A quick way to test if your email will get read. This session is useful for everyone, whether you send mass emails or just internal ones.
Speakers: Dayana Kibilds, Vice President of Strategy, Ologie
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT
Multimedia for Advancement
Effective multimedia experiences leverage technology to “show” stories in new and interesting ways. Whether it be audio, video, animation, augmented reality, virtual reality or [insert technology not invented yet], none of these will resonate with your audience unless they have an authentic emotional story at their core.
Ravi invites all around the proverbial campfire to unpack the primordial hooks and motivations of enduring storytelling. Collectively, we will examine how new and existing technologies can be integrated to serve content to emotionally engage both new and old audiences.
In this session, you will:
- Learn how to identify core story forms within their brand and institutional messaging.
- Consider how time-based media can offer a new perspective on an existing story.
- Get inspired by how new media vehicles can be leveraged to support and extend an established advancement strategy.
Speakers: Ravi Jain, Senior Associate Director, Digital Media and Web Development, Boston College
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT
AI and Educational Fundraising
Join us for an engaging presentation that explores the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) in the realm of educational fundraising. Uncover the potential of AI to revolutionize how institutions connect with alumni, build relationships, and secure vital financial resources. Come learn how AI can empower your institution to achieve new levels of fundraising success while fostering lifelong relationships with donors.
Speakers: Skylar Beaver, Assistant Director of Advancement, The Lawrenceville School, Colin Hennessy, Vice President for Alumni and Donor Engagement, The University of Iowa Center for Advancement
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM CT
SIAS Plenary: Career Mapping and Skill Hierarchy as an Advancement Services Professional
Embark on a journey to strategically shape your career in advancement services with our interactive session tailored for early-career professionals. This session will guide you through the essentials of career mapping, helping you identify key milestones and skillsets necessary for growth and success in the field. We will explore the hierarchical skill progression, from foundational competencies to advanced expertise, and how to strategically develop these skills to ascend in your career. Learn how to leverage mentorship, professional development opportunities, and practical experiences to build a robust career roadmap. Join us to gain insights, practical tips, and the inspiration to take proactive steps in advancing your career in the dynamic world of advancement services.
Speakers: Dave Paek, Executive Director of Data Stewardship, Analytics, and Gift Administration, Northeastern University, Jamie Hougen Johnson, Senior Director, Prospect Management, Systems Training, and Decision Support, University of Chicago
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CT
Project Management in Advancement
Join us to discover how you can leverage various project management techniques to ensure your Advancement team operates at peak efficiency. With numerous projects and competing priorities, both large and small, it can be challenging to stay on top of everything. Project management tools can help you achieve your goals, support team well-being, and position your team to be more proactive and less reactive. In this session, you'll learn practical strategies to streamline your workflows, prioritize tasks effectively, and enhance overall productivity.
Speakers: Shalonda Martin, Senior Director of Advancement Services, Pomona College