1:15–2:30 Complex Geographies: Hot Spots Fallout from the US/China trade tiff. Tremors from the Hong Kong protests. Horrific headlines from the Middle East. What does it all mean for higher education and advancement? How rational, thoughtful and strategic have our reactions been to the reverberations? Take a deep breath, rise above the din and hysteria and rethink your perception and position.
2:45–4:00 Rules of Engagement: Global Community Management and Expectation Setting How do you engage, manage, and set appropriate expectations with donors when conversations turn towards admissions? What additional layers of sensitivities come into play with international families? What is the reality of managing these expectations and balancing institutional policies and practices with public perceptions? In an ever-changing landscape in the post-Varsity Blues era, join this interactive conversation with colleagues with different institutional perspectives.
4:15–5:30 Keynote Navigating Global Philanthropy Through Research and Curiosity
How can research and curiosity help us understand the evolving context of global philanthropy and increase our efficacy as professionals. Drawing on emerging research from the Global Indices of Philanthropy and other sources, we will examine the evolving landscape of global philanthropy and ask how these dynamics affect the institutions we advance and the profession we serve. Amir Pasic, PhD, Eugene R. Temple Dean, Lily Family School of Philanthropy, Indiana University
5:30–6:30 Networking Reception
6:30 Conference adjourns for the day Dinner on your own
8:00–9:00 AM Continental Breakfast Roundtable Discussions: Regional Focus
9:00–10:15 Leadership Perspectives: The Role of International Advancement from your VP/AVP
How do development leaders incorporate international philanthropy in their strategic planning?
Where is international philanthropy in higher education headed, given the changing global giving landscape?
What abilities and experiences are you looking for as you recruit your front-line international staff, as well as other positions engaged with global philanthropic efforts and alumni communities?
How do you help your traveling officers manage their work/life balance, and what advice would you share from your own days on the road?
10:30–11:45 KEYNOTE:A Conversation on Global Philanthropy with Zhang Xin, CEO, SOHO China Moderator: Sara Judge, Deputy Vice President for Development, Princeton University
11:45 – 1:15 PM Lunch on your own
1:15–2:30 Breakout Sessions (choose one)
Examining Assumptions in International Fundraising International fundraisers often are challenged with assumptions in international fundraising, including from internal or external constituents. This session explores the various assumptions in international fundraising and presents solutions to address related challenges. How do you address cultural assumptions made by internal stakeholders about international alumni? How do you address assumptions regarding market opportunities and regional wealth (or lack thereof)? In what ways can you manage expectations about international advancement work to leadership and other constituents?
Building Affinity: The Long-Distance Relationship in Alumni Relations
In an increasingly global environment, institutions are focused on ways to re-engage alumni around the globe. In this session you will hear how different institutions have explored opportunities for engagement through partnerships, programs, and collaborations to enhance ways to increase engagement with previously disconnected international alumni.
2:45–4:00 Breakout Sessions (choose one)
Case Study: Due Diligence in Turbulent Times Gift officers face unique challenges as they identify and cultivate international donor prospects – e.g. language, culture, political systems, legal requirements – often relying only on intuition and without expert institutional guidance. How should they know what information is important, how to find it, and when to make critical decisions? Explore the due diligence process with a veteran university prospect researcher, a senior advancement executive and a representative of an international investigative and risk advisory firm.
Digital Strategies for Global Engagement How can key technologies be leveraged to communicate with our global communities in more effective ways (i.e. WeChat, WhatsApp, Kakao Talk, Line)? What is the impact of new communication tools on our work (i.e. when people leave email behind?) What tools and new technologies can we share with each other to enhance engagement, fundraising, and stewardship, and research efforts?
4:15–5:30 Breakout Sessions (choose one)
Building-up a Shop/Benchmarking ROI. When deciding how or why to invest in international advancement, the question of return on investment is the key driver of decision-making. Staffing, travel budget, decisions about which markets to invest resources in, are all tied to the return on investment. This session will be a facilitated discussion about this decision making process, which includes benchmarking your program against like-minded institutions with similar goals.
Advanced Shops and Rules of Engagement How do advanced shops ensure they continue to evolve and find further success? How do you measure success as you evolve your work? What are best practices to sustain and accelerate fundraising and engagement efforts? How can you leverage partnerships across campus to scale your work? What type of team does your institution need for international fundraising and engagement, and what characteristics do you look for in the people you hire? What are the right roles for advancement professionals, leaders, and volunteers in donor engagement and stewardship?
5:30 Conference adjourns for the day
Dinner on your own
8:00–9:00 AM Continental Breakfast Roundtable Discussions: Institution Type or Biggest Challenge
9:00–10:15 Breakout Sessions (choose one)
Gift Planning for International Donors/Complex Gifts How do you maximize fundraising and minimize risk when utilizing entities abroad? How can your donors benefit and achieve tax efficiencies through entities abroad? What does GDPR mean for you and your EU donors? What are the benefits of incorporating as a charity in global markets, and when is the right time to do so?
Market Entry: A 360 Degree View Many factors contribute to the decision to initiate or expand engagement in a particular country or region. What factors should be primary, why and how should they be weighted? Is ROI just about dollars (or rupees or RMB?). Join us as we assess tried and true approaches from the education world, but also explore what might be gained by looking through the less traditional lens of a corporate approach.
10:30–11:45 Work/Life Balance How can you create a dynamic that allows for a high-functioning team while creating an environment that mitigates burn-out? What are the unique challenges that international work poses on individuals and how can you retain talent in the face of those challenges?
