Session Description:Can small advancement teams really secure transformational gifts? This session demonstrates that they can—and that many of the most significant opportunities are often already sitting quietly in an organisations database. Over the past four and a half years, a five-person university advancement team at the University of Notre Dame Australia secured more than $30 million in philanthropic support, including a single transformational gift of $15 million, a $ 5 million gift and multiple gifts exceeding $1 million. Notably, these major gifts did not come from new prospects; they came from lapsed donors who were already known to the University. By refocusing effort on relationship-building, staff development, and strategic engagement of senior leadership, a small team was able to consistently deliver major and transformational outcomes. Designed for advancement professionals across fundraising, alumni relations, stewardship, advancement services, communications, and leadership, this session balances big-picture strategy with practical, transferable approaches. Participants will explore how small teams can move beyond transactional engagement, use existing data more intelligently to identify high-potential donors, and rebuild trust with disengaged supporters. The session will also examine how investing in current staff development—rather than expanding headcount—and thoughtfully engaging senior leaders and academics at key moments in the donor journey can increase donor confidence and commitment. Through candid case studies, attendees will gain practical frameworks for rethinking the allocation of limited human resources and general budget constraints, aligning advancement services with frontline fundraising, and embedding a collaborative, relationship-led culture that supports major and transformational giving. With a significant intergenerational transfer of wealth anticipated across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, this session underscores the importance of investing now in relationship management with prospects, donors and staff; leadership alignment with work of the advancement team, and staff development to ensure long-term philanthropic success, nationwide impact.