For years, traditional patterns and practices have defined the fundraising efforts and results of most independent schools. However, recent insights from CASE and NAIS’s Data and Analysis for School Leadership indicate shifts in independent school fundraising. Join us as we shine a light on key insights and why they matter to school advancement leaders.

Independent schools face many challenges as they execute comprehensive campaigns, from developing a strategic plan to managing leadership and staff transitions. Read on for strategies schools can deploy to achieve their campaign goals.

The success of independent school fundraising hinges critically on the involvement of the head of school. For advancement directors, the HOS is not just your ally but a vital partner, wielding a unique influence that can turn a good fundraising campaign into a great one. 

Annual giving days are a top tool for independent schools seeking to hit fundraising goals. But for many schools, planning and executing successful giving days is no easy feat.
 

Friction between school fundraising and marketing departments is common. Learn tips for creating a stronger partnership within your school advancement office.  

There may be no better group of supporters than alumni. Alumni know their alma mater and have benefited the most from your institutional offerings—education and social connections. They’ve formed relationships with each other and your faculty and staff. They have a life-long affinity for your school, making them a prime group for successful fundraising. 

When you work in institutional advancement, whether in higher education or at an independent school, your success is measured in meeting or exceeding goals. Whatever those goals may be— increasing contributions to the school’s annual fund or obtaining a certain number of major gifts—integrating your advancement team can get you there faster. 

Have you been struggling for new ideas on how to generate more funding for your independent school? Maybe the special events and donation appeals that worked in the past are not working as well anymore. Perhaps you are grappling with ways to appeal to a wider base of donors or to increase your average donation size.

Onboard your school advancement team with the best and use key learnings to make an impact at your school.

According to the most recent results from the Voluntary Support of Education Survey, CASE estimates that colleges and universities in the U.S. raised $52.9 billion during the 2020-2021 fiscal year, up from $49.5 billion the previous year.

Community colleges, however, experienced a net increase of 52.5% over that same period of time, thanks in large part to transformational gifts from MacKenzie Scott, American novelist, philanthropist and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. But if you exclude her gifts, how did community colleges fare?