We spend a lot of time thinking about how we take our prospects and donors on a meaningful journey through the development cycle. However, we often neglect those closest to home — individuals who are not only integral to a successful ask, but those who could help us from prospect identification to cultivation right through to solicitation and stewardship, and beyond. In this plenary, we will identify new ways of thinking and working effectively as a team within our own department and across the institution, with our key internal stakeholders in order to build a philanthropic culture across our institution.

A Major Gift should be as transformational for the benefactor as it is for the beneficiary. In this session, gain an understanding of how Major Gifts differ from other types of fundraising, the value they provide and some basics in developing Major Gift strategies. Where do you start? How do you draw on support from within your organisation, including other giving programmes or engagement activities to build your pipeline of qualified prospects? How do you follow-up with individuals who self-identify, and engage those whom we identify through an active outreach programme that ensures we are getting face-to-face with our prospects? How do we find out what will inspire them to give? Once we determine interest, what next? Major Gift fundraising is about strategy and process, but most importantly, it is about relationship-building and the art inspiring potential supporters about the work we do and the difference they can make. Underpinning this there are some clear techniques and disciplines that allow you to effectively manage a portfolio of satisfied donors. We'll discuss both the science and the art that positions us for success in raising major gifts.

Working in a small development office can be deeply rewarding, particularly when establishing a new fundraising programme or witnessing the transformative impact of the gifts you have worked on. But oh, the challenges! This session is for the busy development professional who is already exercising their considerable ingenuity and wearing multiple hats, and yet still feels they need to do more. We'll cover strategies to help small offices make an oversized impact, and workshop some of the challenges that you may be faced with in your small shop.

A philanthropic proposal is a critical tool used to persuade a donor to consider supporting our institutional priorities. A winning proposal makes sure the donor and the fundraiser are literally on the same page – informing and inspiring. In this session, we’ll unpack the key components of a winning proposal, how they can be best utilised and workshop some ideas together.

We all know how important it is to effectively manage our portfolio of donors and prospective donors, to keep them engaged and cultivate good relationships, but how do you ensure that you are focusing your efforts in a strategic way while making sure that no potential donor is left ignored? In this session, we will look at ways in which prospects can (and should) be evaluated, tracked and managed, and how you monitor the process and demonstrate success.

A healthy community giving programme serves as a veritable hive of activity, inviting donors to begin, continue and expand their philanthropic relationships with your organisation. This plenary will look at the basics of annual giving and help you to build a strong base of loyal donors who will return year after year to grow the culture of giving at your institution. This plenary demonstrates how a carefully structured annual and regular giving programme can contribute to long-term fundraising success for major gifts, capital campaigns, legacies and beyond.

Charitable trusts and foundations are set up to distribute philanthropic funds – so does it follow that raising funds from these organisations is easy? If only it was that simple!. The establishment of structured giving vehicles is on the rise in Australia and discussions about ‘impact philanthropy’ is growing across the Asia Pacific region. This session will explore how to go about fundraising from charitable trusts and foundations, along with a short introduction to impact philanthropy/impact investing.

This session explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way fundraisers think, plan, and collaborate. Moving beyond traditional uses like data analysis and appeal automation, it introduces AI as a strategic thought partner—supporting ideation, scenario planning, and donor engagement strategies. Attendees will gain practical insights into how emerging technologies can enhance creativity, decision-making, and team workflows, while also considering the ethical and cultural implications of tech adoption in educational advancement.

This session lays the groundwork for a successful major gifts program by focusing on three essential stages: identifying high-potential prospects, securing that critical first meeting, and building strong, authentic relationships through effective cultivation. Participants will learn practical techniques to qualify prospects, craft compelling outreach strategies, and design cultivation plans that align donor passions with institutional priorities — setting the stage for meaningful asks and long-term partnerships.