This interactive workshop will give professionals with fewer than two years in the field a robust introduction to donor relations and stewardship through discussion of essential fundamentals, including characteristics of successful stewardship professionals; donor relations as a profession; principles and practices of donor relations, engagement, and stewardship programs; and where to find resources, best practices, and sources of inspiration.

Kick-off your learning with this workshop specifically designed for mid- to senior-level donor relations leaders. The program will provide key insights from conference faculty and interactive discussions with other leaders on topics that help strengthen your skill set in service of your current role or in support of your aspirations.

"You don’t have to do it alone." The work of donor experience and engagement is deeply collaborative, and knowing how to find, nurture, and engage partners across our institutions and beyond is integral to our work. As Fred Rogers reminded us, “look for the helpers.” In our field, we can look for the partners—the fundraisers, campus leaders, communicators, event planners, finance teams, and fellow donor relations colleagues—who help us steward gifts, connect donors to impact, and inspire greater generosity. In this interactive session, we’ll explore how to build a culture of collaboration, leverage partnerships to enhance our stewardship and donor relations efforts, and create a network of support that allows us to pursue and implement innovative ideas. You’ll leave with practical strategies, real-world examples, and the confidence that you’re not alone in this work.

Most of us have been in a meeting where someone shares an interesting idea or earnest suggestion only to be shot down based on one donor or colleague's feedback: “So-and-so won’t go for that!” And, in recent years, we've all racked our brains for a measured response to frustrated emails and voicemails from university constituents, often about topics and events we simply can't control.

What does it mean to operate from a place of fear in our work—from endless what-ifs and what-abouts— instead of focusing on what could go right, and what we’re doing well? Even as we navigate campus controversies and a range of strong opinions, how can donor relations professionals resist a fear-based mindset (fixating on mistakes, anticipating reactions, squashing innovation) in favor of an approach that empowers our teammates, satisfies and celebrates our donors, and champions our values as an institution?

Emily Brorby and Kelly Monroe, donor relations staff at Stanford University, will share concrete strategies to create a workplace culture of curiosity, trust, idea-sharing, and mutual respect while facing donor relations challenges. We will share tips for approaching tough donor communications and highlight opportunities to build resilience and openness among your team members. These tools to cultivate an empowered donor relations approach apply to individual contributors, managers, and leaders advocating for change or seeking buy-in with your development colleagues.

Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in donor stewardship, with its impact deeply rooted in brain science. Simple changes in language can significantly influence how donors respond emotionally and neurologically. By understanding how stories and specific words shape brain activity, stewardship professionals can craft narratives that foster trust, empathy, and satisfaction. When paired with feedback mechanisms, storytelling transforms stewardship into a dynamic, two-way relationship that strengthens long-term donor loyalty.

In the fall of 2024, CASE partnered with FundMiner to launch a Roundtable Series aimed at exploring and developing a common framework for fund management practices, guidelines, and standards. These roundtables included 30+ CASE member institutions, addressing four key areas of fund management practice. This session will present the results from each of the four sessions, showcasing one institution in each discussion area:
• Fund management Oversight, Transparency, and Accountability
• Common Standards in Fund Management
• Impact and Financial Reporting
• Monitoring, Hygiene and Best Practices in Fund Management

Transform your donor relations strategy with the power of the Donor Matrix. This session will explore a step-by-step framework to create and implement a tailored donor matrix that aligns with your organization’s goals. Learn how to identify key donor behaviors, map effective communications, and integrate insights across teams to build stronger connections and drive engagement. With practical examples and actionable insights, you’ll leave equipped to enhance donor retention and take your stewardship strategy to the next level. Discover how this innovative tool can unlock the ultimate donor experience!