Day 1, Sunday, January 12
3:00-4:15 PM
Understanding Endowment from Formation to Stewardship
Learn how to define endowment, identify the importance of a good investment policy, review traditional vs. progressive endowment investing strategies, and how to develop strong endowment gift acceptance policies. Explore different endowment vehicles such as endowed funds vs. academic chairs and discuss the pitfalls with each one. Review policy examples, chair and endowment agreements, and stewardship software to help manage endowment education with your school community.

Peter Gallo, Director of Development, Landon School

Day 2, Monday, January 13
11:00 AM–12:15 PM
NAIS Jobs-to-be-Done Donor Research: A Deep Dive into Why a Donor Donates
NAIS, using the Jobs-to-be-Done research methodology created by Clayton Christensen at Harvard's Business School, conducted research on why donors donate to independent schools. This session introduces participants to our findings and provides a deep exploration of the causal mechanisms driving the decisions behind donations.

Joe Corbett, Research Analyst, Studies, Insights, and Research; and Amada Torres, Vice President, Studies, Insights, and Research, National Association of Independent Schools

Day 2, Monday, January 13
11:00 AM–12:15 PM
Better Together: Cultivating Admission, Marketing and Development Collaboration
Hillbrook School, a JK - 8th grade school in Los Gatos, California, increased annual giving by more than 60%, increased parent participation to 99%, and increased enrollment by 23% over the last four years. The growth was fostered by creating synergy between admissions, development, and marketing without adding to the admissions or marketing budget or by increasing personnel. This session highlights the importance of successful collaboration between admissions, development, marketing, and communications and invites audience members to participate in a discussion on how to initiate similar synergy at their schools.

Joe Connolly, Chief Advancement and Enrollment Officer, Hillbrook School

Day 2, Monday, January 13
4:00–5:15 PM
Using Past Campaign Analytics to Identify Future Philanthropic Partners
Following the completion of a $108M "We are US Campaign" in 2016, the University School is gearing up for the future and a new campaign. They are analyzing data and trends from their past campaign to inform and prepare for the next campaign. During this session they discuss analyze giving data, identify characteristics of likely giving prospects, develop strategies for individual donors to encourage support for the annual fund, and maximize major giving and gift planning.

Lorie Hollington Smith, Associate Director of Advancement; and Victoria Wong, Director of Advancement Information Systems, University School

Day 3, Tuesday, January 14
10:45 AM–NOON
Featured Session: The Power of Advancement Metrics
This session will provide a preliminary look at data on independent schools from the 2019 Voluntary Support of Educations Survey, including year-over-year changes in giving and 10-year trends in sources and purposes of support, largest gifts, and alumni giving. We also provide an overview of CASE’s new Alumni Engagement Metrics, a new industry standard framework to measure alumni engagement.

David Bass, Senior Director of Research, CASE

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
3:00-4:15 PM
Creating an Internship Program for Young Alumni
Have you always wanted to create an internship program, but aren't sure where to start? Learn the practical tools to develop an internship program, created with meaningful professional experience and engagement for the internship sponsor and college-aged alum. Help your young alumni build their resume, develop their professional experience and select their best career path. Baylor School's "Baylor Works" internship program, now in its seventh year, has grown to a program encompassing over 25 summer internships, expanded to additional cities and is still growing. Find out how you can replicate this effort at your school.

Jaime Melton, Director of Alumni Engagement, Baylor School

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
4:45-6:00 PM
The Power of a Comprehensive Young Alumni Program
Creating a meaningful young alumni program that adds value to both alumni and the institution can prove challenging. By beginning the engagement program early, before students graduate, the Governor's Academy has been able to increase both event participation and annual giving results from this increasingly dynamic demographic. Meeting these constituents where they are, by using modern technology and strategic programming that provides immediate value, has allowed them to build a culture of philanthropy and offer cross-generational engagement opportunities.

Herb Kent, Director of Annual Giving, The Governor's Academy; and Amy R. Swiniarski, Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement, The Governor's Academy

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
4:45-6:00 PM
Tweet, Story or Post: Which Will Impact Your Alumni Engagement the Most?
Whether you're a one-man show or an office of 15, prioritizing alumni-specific social media content doesn’t have to take hours from your day and can yield impactful results. The idea that social media only targets Millennials is simply not the case. Explore how Woodward Academy engaged their multigenerational alumni audience. Find out how to create a brand without using costly mailers or having your emails marked as junk. Learn how their social media presence led to a tangible increase in both event engagement and giving.

Kelsey Darden, Assistant Director, Woodward Alumni Fund; Caroline G. Stancil, Director of Alumni Relations; and Amy Zweng, Alumni Programs and Event Manager, Woodward Academy

Day 2, Monday, January 13
11:00 - 12:15 PM
Developing and Sustaining a Successful Alumni Engagement Program on a Nominal Budget
Learn how San Francisco Day School has seen a significant increase in alumni engagement with limited financial and staff resources.

By focusing on three areas--improving the health of alumni data, expanding the Alumni Council, and establishing an alumni-specific social media presence-- SF Day’s Alumni Program continues to grow in breadth and impact and to serve the interests of the school and the greater alumni community.

Lauren Becker, Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, San Francisco Day School

Day 2, Monday, January 13
2:30–3:45 PM
Building Alumni Relationships Through Inbound Marketing
Staying connected with alumni is harder than ever. They are bombarded by messages from every brand they've ever interacted with, have high expectations and are increasingly savvy when it comes to communication. Schools need to step up their relationship-building game and let go of the school-centric "alumni should give back" mindset and embrace the alumni-centric "what's in it for me" mindset. It's not as hard as you might think, and inbound marketing strategies can help you find and connect with alumni in new ways that benefit them (and you).

Stacy Jagodowski, Marketing and Communications Director, Sinai Akiba Academy

Day 2, Monday, January 13
4:00–5:15 PM
Alumnae Networking 2.0: The ABCs of Implementing a Career Networking Program
An alumni networking program is an outstanding addition to your school's offerings and is an unparalleled way to increase engagement, but where do you start? How do you grow your current program? Where can you find the time to make it all happen? This session takes you through the basics of establishing or expanding your career networking program through specific examples and case studies. Find out how teams of all sizes can run a program that will add value to your community and lead to increased alumni engagement.

Jen Malone, Advancement Associate; Carolyn Russell, Director of the Annual Fund; Jocelyn Sherman-Avidan, Associate Director of Alumnae; and Megan Tyre, Director of Alumnae, Greenwich Academy

Day 2, Monday, January 13
4:00–5:15 PM
Creating Connections Outside Your Home Base 

As alumni spread out across the country, meeting our alumni where they are is essential to the success of the institution. Volunteer-driven and alumni-oriented, alumni chapters provide alumni the opportunity to connect to both one another and to their alma mater. The chapter creates opportunities for volunteer leadership as well as generates stronger connections within the alumni community through intellectual, social, and business networking activities. Learn how Westminster started its alumni chapter program using data and metrics and how they’ve enhanced alumni engagement.

Brooke Boothby, Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement; and Caroline Rothschild, Alumni Engagement Manager, The Westminster Schools

Day 3, Tuesday, January 14
10:45–12:00 PM
Featured Session: The Power of Community: Alumni Are Your Ambassadors

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
3:00–4:15 PM
Fundraising and Alumni Relations: A Six-Year Journey
Independent schools come in all shapes and sizes. While our strengths – and challenges – as advancement departments are shaped by the sizes and ages of our institutions, we share a dedication to our students' education and engagement of our communities. Listen as three advancement professionals take a look back at their first six years at Marin Academy to revisit: completion of a $12M capital campaign, changing the format of the gala, growing the annual fund by 33%, and rethinking alumni programs.

Rebecca Abbey, Director of Alumni Relations; Teal Conroy, Director of Leadership Giving; and Kyndra Homuth Kennedy, Director of Annual Giving, Marin Academy

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
4:45–6:00 PM
Put the Fun Back Into Your Annual Fund!
Does your annual fund need a boost? Looking for new ideas to increase participation, drive revenue, or create more joy among your donors? Join McDonogh School’s Annual Fund team for a discussion on how to accomplish these goals. Learn how to increase donor engagement and participation through giving challenges, increased segmentation, and meeting your alumni where they are. At the same time, find out how to grow your annual fund’s revenue by developing special gift efforts, stretching your leadership donors, and deepening your constituents’ relationship with your school.

Tyler Ebeling, Director of the McDonogh Fund; Lea Ward, Director of Parent Annual Giving; and Bridget Schultz, Alumni Annual Giving Coordinator, McDonogh School

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
4:45 PM–6:00 PM
Activating the Giving Funnel: How St. John’s Prep Raised $10M in Six Months
Faced with a situation that confronts nearly every independent school — an overall decline in donors coupled with lower-than-they’d-like donor retention — WMA decided to take a new approach that's modeled after for-profit sales and marketing.

Hear how the development team has leveraged data and technology to quickly prioritize and deliver personalized appeals and stewardship to hundreds of donors. They’ve flipped the typical Pyramid approach upside down to activate the Giving Funnel and deliver a major gift level of experience to 2,500 mid-level donors.

In this session, we’ll talk about adding donor churn to development’s list of must-track statistics, how to prioritize connections with high-potential donors, and ways to turn your team’s focus toward delivering a fantastic experience, every time, to increase donor retention and giving.

Mark Aimone, Director of Advancement; , Wilbraham & Monson Academy; and Mike Nagel, Manager of Customer and Product Marketing, EverTrue

Day 2, Monday, January 13
11:00 AM–12:15 PM
Don't Fear Change! Rethinking the Annual Fund
When your school is well over 100 years old, change can be slow and reinventing the wheel can feel like an impossible, even unnecessary, challenge. How do you know when to make a change? Are you willing to take the leap? Learn how Woodward Academy, one of the largest independent schools in the country, decided to break from the norm with best practices and reinvent their parent giving campaign. The results were worth it!

Naylene Felt, Assistant Director, Woodward Fund; and Claire C. Hegarty, Director of Advancement, Woodward Academy

Day 2, Monday, January 13
2:30–3:45 PM
Duty to Impact: Generational Contradictions of Women's Philanthropy
Explore the differences in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding women philanthropists through an examination of what motivates different generations of donors to give. Join us on this journey of understanding how our younger donors are transitioning from the practice of dutiful philanthropy into an era of highly personalized impact giving. What are the benefits and challenges of both styles of giving? How do we manage this transition and communicate with our donors to gain their attention and trust? Do generational differences impact the answer to the key question "Why giving matters?"

Marion Couzens, Director of Institutional Advancement, Foxcroft School; Edlira Curis,Director of Development, Westover School; Ann M. Dejnozka, Head of Advancement, Emma Willard School; and Christine Pina, Chief Advancement Officer, Miss Porter's School

Day 2, Monday, January 13
2:30–3:45 PM
Reimagining the Annual Fund
In 2018, the Pike School threw out the rule book and took a new approach to our annual fund. In response to feedback from our community, trends in education philanthropy, and the end of a successful campaign, our team of three created a yearly giving program that aligns with our strategic plan, allows donors to invest where it matters most to them, focuses on stewarding donors and demonstrating impact and increases engagement across donor groups. Join us as we share what worked, what didn't, and the lessons learned along the way.

Elizabeth Fitzsimons, Associate Director of Advancement; Rod Boyer, Director of Advancement; and Donna Richards, Advancement Services Manager, Pike School

Day 2, Monday, January 13
4:00–5:15 PM
The Art in Making the Annual Fund Ask
Get a short cut to 20 years of experience in making the “ask”. A professional solicitation is critical to win today's donor. Learn how to make the ask: what to say, what to ask, and how to manage objections.

Jay Goulart, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Gulliver Schools

Day 3, Tuesday, January 14
10:45 AM–12:00 PM
Featured Session: The Power of What's Possible:  Growing Giving to Our Institutions
Women are demonstrating increased philanthropic clout today along with their political, entrepreneurial, social, and cultural leadership across U.S. society. Although most households make their charitable decisions jointly, more and more women influence household and family charitable decision making. For GenX/Millennial married couples who give large amounts, women have more influence on charitable decisions than did their pre-boomer counterparts 40 years ago. 
Moreover, research has shown that many women like to come together in community to support the causes they care about. Donor networks accelerate leadership, knowledge, and generosity. How can independent schools build a shared community focused on fundraising that reflects the increasing diversity of multicultural and multigenerational donors? How are women leveraging their influence and power to bring others alongside them and to make bigger gifts? Discuss research findings, review concrete examples of what works, and listen as several donors share their personal stories about their philanthropic journeys to make significant gifts.

Ayanna Hill-Gill, Atlanta Girls' School; Megan Murphy, Executive Director, National Coalition of Girls' Schools; Andrea Pactor, Interim Director, Women's Philanthropy Institute, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis; and Elizabeth Zeigler, President and CEO, Graham-Pelton

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
3:00-4:15 PM
Maximizing Challenge Gifts to Conclude Campaigns
Challenge gifts can generate transformational philanthropy for your school. These gifts connect volunteer leaders, motivate financial prospects, encourage increased investments from donors, and galvanize school communities. Laying the foundation for successful challenge gifts requires a sophisticated strategy, starting with early decisions about campaign timeline and approach, through examining creative methods to engage your donors, and institutional and volunteer leaders. We will look closely at River Oaks Baptist School’s successful campaign, which surpassed its $5,000,000 challenge goal, discuss strategies, and share lessons learned.

Leanne Reynolds, Head of School, River Oaks Baptist School; and Robert Rice, Senior Partner, CCS Fundraising

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
4:45-6:00 PM
Shifting Patterns in Individual Giving Signal the Growing Importance of a Philanthropic Board
Individual giving fell below 70% for the first time in 2018, and dependence on fewer donors giving more continues. In this shifting landscape, the high-performing board is even more critical to sustained philanthropic growth. Marts & Lundy has completed its seventh year of research into characteristics shared by boards whose philanthropic gifts represent a higher percentage of total giving and where the institution’s overall fundraising is higher. We’ll share our latest findings and strategies CASE NAIS members can employ to advance board performance.

Sarah Williams, Senior Consultant & Principal, Leader of Analytical Solutions, Marts & Lundy; and Karen Callahan, Senior Consultant and Principal, Leader, Schools Practice, Marts & Lundy

Day 2, Monday, January 13
11:00 AM–12:15 PM
Launched in a Recession: Lessons from University School's $100 Million Campaign
Cleveland's University School launched their campaign-planning retreat in San Francisco on the day that Lehman Brothers imploded. The inauspicious start led to a focus and discipline that eventually paid off. Review lessons learned about building a case, ensuring the growth of the annual fund during a major-gift effort, phasing, focusing efforts on areas of greatest return, and having fun in the process. Schools launching campaigns or major gift efforts of any size will come away with helpful tools for planning and implementing a comprehensive effort.

Jonathan E. Bridge, Assistant Head of School for Advancement, University School

Day 2, Monday, January 13
4:00–5:15 PM
Campaign Anchor Strategy: Upending the Gift Table
Campaign strategies are developed around well-structured gift tables that are based on well-researched wealth analyses. This session turns on its head the assumption that campaign success depends primarily on the top of the pyramid. Instead, we have designed an innovative Campaign Anchor Strategy that participants can model at their schools. This pace-setting approach mobilizes donors to be campaign catalysts who will set the benchmark by anchoring critical giving levels. Learn how to move from strategy to tactics using market research and highly iterative donor engagement.

Scott Erickson, Head of School; and Olana Khan, Assistant Head of School for Advancement and Strategy, Phillips Brooks School

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
4:45 - 6:00 PM
Managing a Successful Entry Process for a New Head of School
It's July 1st and the brand-new head of school has arrived on campus for her/his first day. How does the administrative team help familiarize the head with the school community, culture, and perspectives, and vice versa? We'll lay out the unique process by which the Advancement and Communications team can help the head of school embed herself/himself in the school community in a way that generates a wealth of actionable, strategic data for the head's first year and beyond.

Joe Clifford, Director of Communications and Julie Gray, Chief Advancement Officer, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

Day 2, Monday, January 13
11:00 AM–12:15 PM
Getting Ahead of Head Transition
Change in school leadership is inevitable. Capturing the strategic value of transition is not—it takes vision, careful planning, and hard work. Explore ideas and practices that leverage head transition for institutional gain, engagement of human capital, and philanthropy.

Vince Watchorn, Editor, NAIS Head Search Handbook; Former Head, Providence Country Day School

Day 2, Monday, January 13
4:00–5:15 PM
Auditing Your Advancement Program: Why, When, and How?
Your advancement program could be better, but you're busy. How do you determine where it could improve and how to make it better? Where do you invest your time and energy and that of your board? Where do you start? What do you do to make sure the audit results in improvement? Learn how and when to conduct an advancement audit and how to get the most use out of it.

Alden F. Briscoe, Executive Vice President, Brakeley Briscoe Inc.; Liz Morrison, Head of School, Antilles School; Claire Starkey, President, Antilles School; and Anne C. Storch, Senior Consulting Associate, Brakeley Briscoe Inc.

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
3:00–4:15 PM
IQ Opens the Door, EQ Closes the Gift
Need to enhance your prospect management system? Wondering how to build a pipeline? Not sure how to qualify your constituents? How do you move them through the steps to close a gift? Join us as we look at the importance of using IQ to identify prospects and report on them, then shift to using EQ to cultivate donors and close gifts. Learn how to build a systemic prospect management system that combines advancement services and major gift moves management from a 15-person shop.

Meghan Gould, Principal Giving Officer; and Ali Jacobs Greenly, Director of Prospect and Data Management, The Hill School

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
3:00–4:15 PM
Two Fundraisers Walk Into a Bar: Using Improv Skills to Improve Your Fundraising
Storytelling has become an in-demand skill for successful fundraisers. Learn how to use the fundamental (and fun) rules of improvisational comedy to make your school's case for support come alive for donors. Join a professional improv performer (who moonlights as the chair of Newark Academy's Arts Department) and NA's chief fundraising officer for a lively session that provides insight into the brain science behind storytelling as well "take home" skills for telling your school's story in a way that guarantees donor engagement and larger gifts.

Elaine Brodie, Chair, Arts Department; and Lisa Grider, Assistant Head of School for External Affairs, Newark Academy

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
4:45-6:00 PM
Communicating Vision and Impact for Powerful Donor Relationships
Before a prospective donor makes a gift, especially one that asks them to stretch further than they have before, they must have a clear sense of “What will be different in the world, because I made this gift?” Being able to share your vision and the impact a gift to your school will have is critical to achieving your development goals. Learn how to create compelling impact statements and vision language you can use to improve your donor communications and engagement.

Laurel McCombs, Senior Philanthropy Advisor, The Osborne Group

Day 2, Monday, January 13
2:30–3:45 PM
Plot Your Plan: Developing Major Gift Strategies to Secure the Best Gift
In this interactive session, gift officers will use a provided solicitation plan template to hone their skills in developing a constituent relationship from major gift prospect to major gift donor. What do you need to learn about your prospect, and how should you go about discovering it? What are the cultivation steps you need to take to achieve donor readiness? How and with whose help will you get there? When, for how much, and for what purpose will you solicit a gift? Participants will practice both strategic and practical skills.

Mary K. Carrasco; Assistant Head of School for Advancement, Sidwell Friends School; and Elizabeth Kolb Farr, Vice President, Grenzebach Glier and Associates

Day 2, Monday, January 13
4:00–5:15 PM
The Journey Toward Transformative Philanthropy Through Global Engagement
Over the past 20 years advancement best practice  has shifted from a core focus on transcontinental engagement to global engagement. Today some of the very best prospects for principal and major gifts are among our international alumni, parents, and families.

This session provides insights into the journey of Sevenoaks School (U.K.) over the past decade and its success in securing intergenerational principal gifts through a global engagement strategy core to the success of the "Campaign for Sevenoaks School - Your opportunity to inspire a generation". Case studies will provide insights into  engagement in Europe, Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, India, China, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia and Singapore.

Michael D. Joyce, Executive Director of Advancement, Sevenoaks School Foundation

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
3:00-4:15 PM
Whose Communication Is It?
Are your communications clear, consistent and on strategy? Have you encountered tension between departments, or your Head of School when working on communications? How can you best coordinate and collaborate on key messaging? Join us for an in-depth panel discussion where we bring seasoned directors together to discuss best practices and real-time solutions. A Head of School, Development Director, and Communications Director will share stories of when things have gone well, and when things could be made better through some fine-tuning and collaboration. This interactive session will also provide attendees opportunities to find solutions to their own upcoming projects.

Brian Hargrove, Head of School, Northfield Mount Hermon; Alex Perez, Director, Communications, Menlo School and Jim Bob Womack, Director of Development, St. Mark's School of Texas

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
4:45–6:00 PM
Going Viral: The New Era Of Community Activism
Our communities are passionate about their schools, which is what we want until the passion spirals out of control. Community activism has been redefined, and social media puts issues front and center. Schools are finding themselves in situations ranging from angry stakeholders posting comments online to anonymous trolls trying to destroy a school's reputation. Learn how to manage and respond and explore the importance of having a parent code of conduct. Bring your strategies and share what has worked for your school.

Jim Hulbert, Partner, The Jane Group

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
4:45-6:00 PM
Enhancing the Family Experience through an Internal Communications Audit
Your head of school has suggested an audit of the communications team. After submitting pages of information, sitting in interviews and getting the final report, what do you do first? How can a communications audit help you enhance the experiences of your school’s families? In this session, you’ll hear about the experience of a communications audit, along with suggestions that you can take back to your school and use right away.

Jill Shaw, Director, Strategic Communications, Viewpoint School

Day 2, Monday, January 13
11:00 AM–12:15 PM
AI-Powered Marketing: Leveraging Trends and Future Tech for Better Engagement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere, from how you watch Netflix or adjust your thermostat, but have you thought about how it could benefit your school? Join Finalsite's Jon Moser and Jay Goulart from Gulliver Schools for a look into current trends and the future of AI for school marketing. Learn how to use AI for effective messaging, how to explore better SEO and SEM results, and how it can hyper-personalize the constituent experience. Discover how automated marketing tied to your website, VR tours, and inbound tools can help share your school's value.

Jay Goulart, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Gulliver Schools; and Jonathan Moser, Founder and CEO, Finalsite

Day 2, Monday, January 13
11:00 AM–12:15 PM
Creation + Curation: Strike Your School’s Perfect Social Media Balance
We all want to carefully curate our school’s social media content to protect our brand image. But the power of digital also lies in showcasing relatable, user-generated content that helps audiences truly connect with your mission. Learn how to develop an authentic, school-specific social media strategy that takes both crowdsourcing and brand management into account. One school’s marketing leaders share how they struck the right balance between professionally created and creatively curated social content to engage and delight their constituents.

Katie Pullman, Marketing and Communications Specialist; David Ready, Director of Marketing and Communications, Trinity Episcopal School; and Penny Rogers, Consultant, Independent School Management

Day 2, Monday, January 13
2:30–3:45 PM
Communicating the Head of School Transition
The transition of headmasters ranks among the most important moments in the life of an independent school, and communications offices are important to ensuring this succession is understood and well-received. Find out how National Cathedral School announced its head's departure and her successor, as well as lessons learned through the months-long search process. You'll leave with a better understanding of what's needed in transition communications, as well as a list of steps to include in developing a communication plan for your school.

Scott Butterworth, Director of Communications, National Cathedral School

Day 2, Monday, January 13
2:30–3:45 PM
Building, Growing, and Advocating for a Professional Marcom Team<
In the past decade, career professionals in marketing and communications have made their way into independent schools in increasing numbers, raising the bar for in-house work and bringing strategy and professionalism to communications to prospective families, parents/guardians, and alumni. Hear how three experienced marcom directors at independent schools have built, managed, and advocated for their teams; de-stigmatized branding and targeted messaging; and helped leadership understand the value of an integrated communications strategy.

Moderator: Christina Jarke, Director of the St. Mark's Fund, St. Mark's School of Texas
Amanda Darling, Director of Communications, Lakeside School; Jan Abernathy, Director of Strategic Communications, The Browning School; and Jan Thomas, Director of Communications, Kent Denver School

Day 2, Monday, January 13
4:00–5:15 PM
Overcoming a Crisis: Fundraising Strategies During Tough Times
How do you make your case to donors in the wake of a school crisis? How do you keep the momentum going if you are planning to launch or are in the middle of a campaign? In today’s “always on” and interconnected world, dealing with adversity poses unique challenges for heads of school and heads of development. Join CCS and a panel of development leaders to explore insights, communication strategies, and fundraising best practices used to overcome some of the challenges that arise during tough times.

Ray Happy, Principal and Managing Director, CCS Fundraising; Phil Kassen, Director, Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School (LREI); and Melissa Parento, Director of Development, Horace Mann School

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
4:45-6:00 PM
Creating a Culture of Philanthropy with New Parents
Franklin Road Academy, a pre-k-12 grade day school in Nashville, Tenn., has been able to increase parent participation in its annual fund from 51% to 95% while doubling dollars raised in just four years. This has been done through intentional conversations, thoughtful onboarding of new families, and new parent engagement events that created a culture of philanthropy at the school that didn't exist before. Learn practical strategies that you, alongside your head of school, can implement at your organization, and prepare to share your success stories as well.

Jill Johnson, Director of Advancement, Franklin Road Academy

Day 2, Monday, January 13
11:00 AM–12:15 PM
When Parents Go Rogue: Finding Opportunities to Get them Back on Track
Parents are more involved than ever before. Helicopter, snowplow, bubble wrap—you’ve inevitably experienced these parents in your tenure. From trying to dictate curriculum to advocating for their personal agenda among peer parents, to creating a parent leadership clique, today’s parents can challenge us at every turn. Review examples of parents going rogue and lessons learned from the experiences and perspectives of a head of school, director of development, and board chair.

Kendall Cameron, Founder, Cameron Educational Strategies; Michael Gary, Head of School; and Christine Jefferson, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Friends Select School

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
3:00–4:15 PM

? Leadership Spotlight Session: Building Leadership Resilience in Times of Change
Most of us assume that events in life cause us stress. However, it is not the event that causes stress – it is Us. Yes, everyone experiences pressure in life but those pressures do not have to be inherently stressful. Stress is directly caused by rumination or, when we apply negative thoughts or emotions over and over to an event in the past or future. Learning how to mitigate our proclivity for rumination is the way to not just manage stress – but entirely change the way we experience stress.

Ren Washington, Leadership Solutions Facilitator, Center for Creative Leadership

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
4:45–6:00 PM

? Leadership Spotlight Session: Managing Up, Down and Sideways
New research shows the importance—for fundraising success—of mobilizing those leaders above us, as well as effectively managing teams and working with peers. Examine what this means. Debunk the myths and misunderstandings (it is not about manipulation, micro-managing, or stealthy machinations behind the scenes). Using real-life examples, uncover tips and tools for effectively engaging and managing others in development efforts. Join us and learn how you can apply these strategies for success in your own shop.

Coral Butler Brooks, Director of Advancement, Kent Place School; and Ingrid Healy, Principal, Independent School Advancement

Day 2, Monday, January 13
11:00–12:15 PM
?  Leadership Spotlight Sessions: Strategic Leadership Toolkit: From Manager to Leader, Specialist to Generalist, and Builder to Architect

Day 2, Monday, January 13
2:30–3:45 PM
?  Leadership Spotlight Sessions: Leading Yourself and Others in Complex Times: Part I
Our exceedingly complex and difficult world requires new levels of leadership to respond to unpredictable challenges. Research has shown that people develop increasing leadership capacity over decades, in a predictable maturation process we call “Leader Development Levels (LDL).” Leaders with higher Leader Levels are more effective at leading their organizations. These sessions will focus on how to grow your leadership capacity. Part one will explore your personal growth and how to lead others where they are. In part two, participants will determine where their barriers to effective leadership live and how to tap into primary values to address and overcome this “growth gap.”

Karl Kuhnert, Professor in the Practice of Organization & Management, Goizueta Business School at Emory University

Day 2, Monday, January 13
4:00–5:15 PM
?  Leadership Spotlight Sessions: Leading Yourself and Others in Complex Times: Part II
Our exceedingly complex and difficult world requires new levels of leadership to respond to unpredictable challenges. Research has shown that people develop increasing leadership capacity over decades, in a predictable maturation process we call “Leader Development Levels (LDL).” Leaders with higher Leader Levels are more effective at leading their organizations. These sessions will focus on how to grow your leadership capacity. Part one will explore your personal growth and how to lead others where they are. In part two, participants will determine where their barriers to effective leadership live and how to tap into primary values to address and overcome this “growth gap.”

Karl Kuhnert, Professor in the Practice of Organization & Management, Goizueta Business School at Emory University

Day 3, Tuesday, January 14
10:45 AM–NOON
Featured Session: The Power of Effective Networks
Are you looking for a way to become a more effective contributor in your school? Research shows that individuals with effective networks are promoted more rapidly, viewed as being more influential, and rated in the top 20% of all leaders. Come join us for an interactive workshop based on the Leader Network Diagnostic (TM) to assess your current network, identify the gaps, and develop a plan to broaden your relationship reach to create greater impact and improve your effectiveness both personally and professionally. 

Emilie Henry, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, The Westminster Schools

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
3:00-4:15 PM
Small Changes in a Small Shop Can Yield Positive Results
This session looks at the French American International School, a Pre K-12 school located in San Francisco, and the transformation of their advancement office. Examine how—with a small team of four staff and a core group of volunteers—they were able to change their culture of giving over three years.

Stephen L. Dini, Director of Advancement and Elsa Lundy, Annual Fund and Capital Campaign Manager, French American International School

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
4:45-6:00 PM
Auctions and Raffles: Going, Going, Gone!
Auctions and raffles are significant fundraisers for independent schools, and they help build community. Behind the fun and excitement there’s lots the advancement office does to prepare: recruit and mange volunteers, align with federal and state regulations, oversee in-person and online events, engage different generations of donors, and more. Join us to review auction and raffle challenges, opportunities, and IRS compliance essentials.

Jefferson Burnett, Senior Vice President; and Whitney Silverman, Staff Attorney, National Association of Independent Schools

Day 2, Monday, January 13
2:30–3:45 PM
The Big Shindig: Where Advancement, Diversity, and Equity Meet
Are your fundraising events reinforcing your school's inclusion and community building work? Does the entire community feel welcome and able to participate? How does a school resolve the tension between fundraising goals and creating an inclusive community celebration? Learn how Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School (LREI) met this challenge through the Big Shindig, a pay what you can, fundraising event that embraced the entire community and raised necessary funds.

Elisabeth Mendez, Alumni and Special Events Manager; and Jennifer Weil, Director of Advancement, Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School (LREI)

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
3:00-4:15 PM
If You Build It, Will They Come? Advancement Strategies for Equity and Engagement
Mirman School, by definition, is exclusive even among independent schools; to even apply, a child needs to qualify as being in the top 1% of intelligence norms. And yet, for the past two strategic plans, it has had inclusivity and equity as central initiatives, particularly when it comes to attracting prospective families. See how a strong partnership between inclusivity/equity and advancement (not to mention strategic use of data!) has allowed Mirman’s message to shine, shaking off a stodgy reputation and embracing the world beyond its own echo chamber.

Connie Chiu, Director of Inclusivity/Equity; Noah Kaufman, Director of Advancement, Mirman School; and Jenn Salcido, Director of Marketing and Communications, Mirman School

Day 2, Monday, January 13
2:30–3:45 PM
Leading Women: Putting Women's Philanthropy First in Your Fundraising Practice
Women earn and give more than ever before. What might happen if you were to make a deliberate, purposeful plan to put the knowledge gleaned from research into women's philanthropy into practice? What might happen if you used the same techniques with male donors? Join the Louise S. McGehee School on their experimental journey as they put theories on why and how women give to work in their fundraising strategy.

Kathleen Banta, Associate Director of Development; Elenore Falshaw, Director of Development, and Kimberly Field-Marvin, Headmistress, Louise S. McGehee School

Day 2, Monday, January 13
4:00–5:15 PM
NAIS Jobs-to-be-Done Donor Research: Turning Insights into Action
NAIS, using the Jobs-to-be-Done research methodology created by Clayton Christensen at Harvard's Business School, conducted research on why donors donate to independent schools. This session introduces participants to our findings and outlines practical ways schools can turn these insights into action to promote their larger advancement strategy. Identify frameworks to unpack your greatest challenges and use the research to come up with "demand-side innovations". These demand-side innovations are quick and iterative prototypes that aim to solve the most pressing advancement issues facing schools today.

Tim Fish, Chief Innovation Officer and Mark Mitchell, Vice President, National Association of Independent Schools

Day 2, Monday, January 13
11:00–12:15 PM

Parents Graduate, too: Maintaining Connections with Parents of Alumni
Your school has alumni, parents, and grandparents down to a science. But, how do you keep constituents who don’t fall into one of those categories engaged with a school? Look at the process of organizing an effort to keep the growing number of parents of alumni involved with a school once their children graduate.

Jessica Amador, Academic Affairs Project Manager; and Nancy Black, Major Gifts and Endowment Manager, The Lovett School

Day 2, Monday, January 13
2:30–3:45 PM

In the Absence of Leadership
Our country is suffering from a shrinking pool of (good) volunteers who are willing to lead fundraising efforts. Are you currently looking for a campaign or development committee chair? Did you inherit a fundraising leader lacking the qualities needed to motivate other volunteers? Leadership is the most important factor in the success of any campaign, but today's development professionals find themselves navigating without a captain. Explore the realities of managing volunteer leadership within independent schools and learn how to keep the trains running "in the absence of leadership."

Robert Bull, President, The Compass Group, Inc.; and Cathy Voeks, Director of Development, Norwood School

Day 1, Sunday, January 12
3:00–4:15 PM
Building Better Teams
Too often, directors rely on “institutional fit” and “gut feeling” to make hiring decisions leading to teams that lack diversity, varied skills, and perspectives. Poor hiring choices can lead to turnover which is costly, slows productivity, and damages morale. Receive practical tools for scanning, evaluating, interviewing, and onboarding talent. You'll leave with a renewed confidence and knowledge to build a productive team regardless of the location and size of your school. 

Jonathan Ball, Managing Associate for Advancement, Director of Recruitment and School Services, Carney, Sandoe and Associates; and Sara Billings, Director of Development, The Thacher School

Day 2, Monday, January 13
2:30–3:45 PM
We're Diverse, Now What?
More and more independent schools are being thoughtful and intentional about expanding diversity among their students, as well as faculty and staff. As our work environments become more diverse, we must focus on not only recruiting, but also retaining top-tier talent from all backgrounds. This session provides practical, real-world examples of how independent schools can attract AND retain diverse employees.

Erika Cartledge, Major Gifts Director; Stephen Ginter, Director of Advancement; Akeembra Lawrence, Annual Fund Director, The Key School