As the advancement sector undergoes rapid transformation, institutions are grappling with declining grant funding and significant shifts in donor behavior. This session explores the evolving landscape of philanthropy, including insights into how changing institutional priorities and the anticipated wealth transfer are reshaping fundraising strategy. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of emerging opportunities, evolving donor expectations, and practical approaches to diversifying revenue streams in a time of unprecedented change.

Using insights from multiple giving reports and other sector-wide analyses, this session explores the most significant trends influencing institutional advancement today. We will examine the shifting dynamics of leadership transitions, the expanding role of family offices, changes in federal funding, evolving generational giving patterns, and the implications of the endowment tax. Designed as a high-level scan of emerging factors affecting donor engagement and organizational strategy.

Many external forces are currently impacting higher education, from government initiatives to financial markets to donor behaviors and limited advancement resources. In this session, we’ll look at the impacts of these forces on higher-ed. fundraising specifically, and we’ll explore ways to increase your ability to focus on building your donor pipeline and winning larger donations effectively. This will include CASE’s new research on the emerging uses of generative AI by advancement shops today.

An interactive session addressing common misconceptions held by academic leaders, faculty, and even donors. This session provides data and strategies to shift internal and external mindsets.

Explore alternative funding mechanisms that complement traditional philanthropic sources, including estate and planned giving, family office contributions, Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs). Participants will gain insights into how these vehicles work, trends in donor engagement, and strategies for integrating them into a diversified fundraising portfolio.

A deep dive into preparing for and confidently executing the actual request for a major gift.

In an era of tightening government budgets, institutions are increasingly looking to Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) to help fill the gap. This session examines the evolving role of Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) in institutional funding. Participants will explore trends, opportunities, and the realities of relying on CFR in the context of broader funding challenges, helping advancement professionals and academic leaders set realistic expectations and strategies.

A roadmap for vetting, structuring, and launching new programs—focusing on what to do when a prospect comes with an idea to start something new

Strategies for negotiating win-win gift agreements and handling sensitive situations like reworking a previous gift.