In a resource-strapped environment, it can feel overwhelming to be asked to launch new stewardship programs or improve efficiency as philanthropic support grows. Your 2026 donor relations superpower is already in motion: the stewardship activities, communications, and reporting rhythms you have today.

Doing more with what you have starts with smart choices about what to sustain, what to refresh, and what to add—without letting “new” become “forever.” In the first half of this plenary, Eliza will share a practical framework for building momentum from existing stewardship work: strengthening quality and consistency in what already exists, refreshing the right activities to reflect leadership priorities, and piloting time-bound additions with clear targets and end dates.

In the second half, Eliza will moderate a panel of peers sharing real examples from their institutions: how they enhanced or repurposed existing stewardship programs, what they stopped doing to make room, and what results they saw.