11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Welcome and Introductions Join conference leadership to meet the faculty and review conference highlights
12:00 – 12:45 Trends in Philanthropy and the Impact to Giving
12:45 – 1:00 Stretch Break
1:00 – 1:45 Elective Sessions 1 (select one):
Data Driven Decision Making—Measure What Matters Most! Advanced CRM systems are at times a double-edged sword. While advancement programs have access to robust information systems it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lost in the data. Leaders need to focus on data that drives productivity. This session will help you think about using data to determine staffing, prioritize prospects, and allocate resources, as well as develop meaningful scorecards that lead to positive advancement outcomes.
Developing a Case for Support This session will introduce methods and best practice on translating a vision into a compelling case for potential donors. It will address the elements of a strong case statement, engagement of stakeholders in the process, and testing the case statement. Participants are encouraged to bring a 1-2-page case statement and will engage in peer review and discussion of these case statements to improve and hone skills in presentation and critique.
1:45 – 2:00 Resource / Stretch Break
2:00 – 2:45 Elective Sessions 2 (select one):
Strategic Planning This session will be a conversation about the strategic planning process and the strategic role your advancement leader can play throughout the process. The presenter will discuss critical elements of a strategic plan, different models, challenges, and opportunities. Participants will discuss ways to make the most of the partnership with advancement to inform a compelling plan that will resonate with both internal and external constituents.
Building Effective Advisory Boards Advisory boards to schools and colleges often serve as helpful resources to a dean or academic leader – especially when well established guidelines have been created, strategic recruiting occurs, and clear responsibilities are defined. This session explores the positive benefits and potential pitfalls to avoid in establishing, maintaining or changing an advisory board particularly in light of the board’s role with major gift fundraising.
2:45 – 3:15 Stretch Break
3:15 – 4:00 Elective Sessions 3 (select one):
Partnering with Leaders Across Campus Advancement is a team sport. Explore in this session how strategically engaging campus leaders and partners can impact advancement program performance and be a win-win for everyone.
Developing a Case for Support This session will introduce methods and best practice on translating a vision into a compelling case for potential donors. It will address the elements of a strong case statement, engagement of stakeholders in the process, and testing the case statement. Participants are encouraged to bring a 1-2-page case statement and will engage in peer review and discussion of these case statements to improve and hone skills in presentation and critique.
4:00 – 4:15 Stretch Break
4:15 – 5:00 Keynote Stewardship of Highest-Level Donors This session will focus on the stewardship relationship in the context of high stakes: developing rapport and an effective working relationship, understanding expectations and intent, executing a productive project management plan, and strategic communications with all stakeholders including the donors, university administration, advancement executives, and the broader university community. We will share with you an inspirational UC Davis story whereby stewardship at the highest level helped develop the foundation for a philanthropic partnership that we believe will sustain for many, many years.
5:00 Conference Adjourns for the Day
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM Elective Sessions 4 (select one):
Best Practice in Engaging Donors and Potential Donors We know that individuals who are engaged in organizations as volunteers give much more generously than those who are not. And yet, increasingly, surveys show that many deans and development professionals see volunteer management as a distraction. In a world where time is the most precious resource, many struggle to balance the benefits of volunteer engagement, with the time and resources necessary to do it well. This session will explore some of the best practices in effectively and efficiently engaging donors and potential donors in ways that lead to higher levels of philanthropy.
Data Driven Decision Making—Measure What Matters Most! Advanced CRM systems are at times a double-edged sword. While advancement programs have access to robust information systems it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lost in the data. Leaders need to focus on data that drives productivity. This session will help you think about using data to determine staffing, prioritize prospects, and allocate resources, as well as develop meaningful scorecards that lead to positive advancement outcomes.
12:15 – 12:30
Stretch Break
12:30 – 1:15 Elective Sessions 5 (select one):
Strategic Planning This session will be a conversation about the strategic planning process and the strategic role your advancement leader can play throughout the process. The presenter will discuss critical elements of a strategic plan, different models, challenges, and opportunities. Participants will discuss ways to make the most of the partnership with advancement to inform a compelling plan that will resonate with both internal and external constituents.
Building Effective Advisory Boards Advisory boards to schools and colleges often serve as helpful resources to a dean or academic leader – especially when well established guidelines have been created, strategic recruiting occurs, and clear responsibilities are defined. This session explores the positive benefits and potential pitfalls to avoid in establishing, maintaining or changing an advisory board particularly in light of the board’s role with major gift fundraising.
1:15 – 1:45 Resources / Stretch Break
1:45 – 2:30 A Donor Conversation Hear from volunteers and philanthropists as they share the experiences that keep them engaged in philanthropy and offer insights about their giving decision-making processes. Opportunities for Q&A will be provided so please bring your questions.
2:30 – 2:45 Resources/Exhibit Hall Break
2:45 – 3:30 Elective Sessions 6 (select one)
Partnering with Leaders Across Campus Advancement is a team sport. Explore in this session how strategically engaging campus leaders and partners can impact advancement program performance and be a win-win for everyone.
Best Practice in Engaging Donors and Potential Donors We know that individuals who are engaged in organizations as volunteers give much more generously than those who are not. And yet, increasingly, surveys show that many deans and development professionals see volunteer management as a distraction. In a world where time is the most precious resource, many struggle to balance the benefits of volunteer engagement, with the time and resources necessary to do it well. This session will explore some of the best practices in effectively and efficiently engaging donors and potential donors in ways that lead to higher levels of philanthropy.
3:30 – 3:45 Resources / Stretch Break
3:45 – 4:30 Common Challenges for Deans and Academic Leaders Balancing your responsibilities with internal and external stakeholders is essential for your success as an academic leader. This session will focus on the challenges and obstacles that deans and academic leaders often face and solutions for leading teams in complex environments and organizations.
4:30 – 5:00 Final Reflections and Conference Wrap-Up