In spring 2025, Durham University was using Blackbaud NetCommunity for its variety of functions. This session covers our journey of retiring the use of NetCommunity before the end of July 2025, focusing on how the project was managed, how we communicated with stakeholders along the way, and what considerations were made to create new spaces into which we can further develop

Drawing on 20+ years of data and 3500+ trusts and foundations, this session will look at trends and insights in the UK grant-maker market, including areas of interest, geography, financial size and grant capacity. It will also look at the philanthropists and corporates that are creating these new grant-makers.

This session explores how the panel is navigating changes in their journeys as prospect researchers. From new roles and campaign launches, to line management and apprenticeship learning, the panel will discuss how these changes are reshaping how they navigate the fundamentals of prospect research.

Engaging a diverse world means building a diverse home. Join us for a candid fireside chat on how the Ross Group is moving EDIB from a strategic footnote to a core priority. We’ll discuss new initiatives to cultivate an internal culture that attracts and retains a diverse workforce; and why representation within our teams is the only way to authentically connect with an increasingly global alumni and donor base. Bring your questions and discover how to make EDIB the engine of your department's success.

Advancement operations has never been more critical to fundraising success. This plenary will focus on how teams can use data, technology and emerging AI tools to deliver better insight, support fundraisers more effectively and improve decision-making in day-to-day practice. With an emphasis on building a strong data culture and managing change well, the session will explore how to move from experimentation to adoption and embed innovation in a sustainable way