Amid shifts like the growing importance of authentic donor connection and the race for artificial

intelligence, fundraisers are gearing up to adjust their strategies to reach goals.

As we move further into 2024, the landscape of donor engagement continues to evolve.

For colleges and universities, having a good reputation attracts students and faculty, generates alumni engagement, draws donations, and builds community goodwill. Today, it’s more important than ever that institutional leaders pay attention to reputation and cultivate trust. To do that, university leaders need to use these eight strategies: listen to its stakeholders, monitor the higher education environment, build transparency, provide guidance to colleagues, cultivate identity, avoid crises, build a distinct brand, and use rankings strategically.

Collaborative relationships between colleges or universities and their communities can contribute to an improved quality of life for everyone involved. From economic growth and development to attracting diverse talent to addressing inequalities, town-gown relations can enhance all aspects of a community. 

Many agree that collecting, storing, and analyzing qualitative data is vital to advancement’s growth and an important balance to departments’ continually growing quantitative data capabilities. But is there a method that’s scalable? How can advancement professionals work with data that is, by its definition, difficult to measure? 

A new documentary underlines the importance of community at a variety of institutions and organizations, including Amarillo College.

What is race equity as it applies to education institutions? How are advancement teams approaching this work, which experts say involves a wholesale transformation of organizational cultures? How are institutions and individuals moving forward in the name of equity? 

The president of Augsburg University speaks about his institution’s long-running commitment to inclusion and equity, how the past year has brought more urgency, and the crucial role of advancement.

The director of strategic communications at The Browning School shares her thoughts on representation, authenticity, and the power of alumni of color.

What members are thinking and sharing: guidelines for statements on public issues, alumni awards celebrations, and more.