Are you challenged with a daunting project and don't know where to begin? Have you put your ideas on a shelf where they have collected dust for 10+ years? Are you looking for ways to transform the work that you do? This session will present a case study of how the University of Nebraska Foundation reimagined its entire funds management process, moving from piles of paper to fully digital and automated fund creation and management. If you want to transform your work by tackling messy and complicated projects, this session can help generate ideas on how to do that.

Overview
University fundraising campaigns often heavily rely on the generous contributions of prominent leaders and high-net-worth individuals. These major donors can significantly impact the campaign's success by providing substantial financial support. However, it's crucial to recognize that the dedicated advancement staff working behind the scenes are equally vital to achieving fundraising goals. In this session, we will explore strategies universities can implement to ensure that their advancement staff remains engaged and motivated during leadership-driven fundraising campaigns.

These strategies will include:
1. Internal Strategic Communication
2. Goal Alignment
3. Involvement in High-Profile Campaign Components
4. Celebrating Milestone Achievement

Ethical fundraising is everyone's business - the fundraiser's, the administration's, the board of director's and the staff's. This session will explore the importance of ethical fundraising and what it means to be an ethical professional. This interactive session will also include an opportunity to discuss “ripped from the headlines” ethical dilemmas.

Join us for an engaging conference session that seamlessly combines the essential elements of crafting an annual plan with the power of effective stewardship. In this session, we will dive into the art of developing a robust annual plan while integrating an Engagement Calendar and Stewardship Matrix to ensure long-term sustainability and success. Discover the key elements of stewardship that drive organizational growth and donor satisfaction. Learn from industry experts and real-world examples as we explore successful stewardship practices that have yielded remarkable results. Leave this session armed with the knowledge and tools necessary to revolutionize your approach to annual planning and stewardship, enhancing your organization's impact and donor relationships. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your strategy and secure a prosperous future for your cause.

Come and learn from Ava Wills-Barksdale (VP Advancement-Lincoln University) and Darrell Bell (VP Advancement-Nazareth University) as to how they partnered with Scott Lange (President) and Michael Shippam (Principal) of Visionary Philanthropic Consulting to best utilize advancement data analytics for enhanced prospect identification, portfolio rebalancing, campaign goal setting, gift officer work flow, budgeting rationales for new gift officers, and Board communication on Advancement objectives and ROI.

Do you ever resonate with that meme of the dog sipping coffee amidst chaos, calmly stating, "this is fine"? In our professional spheres where events, initiatives, leadership support, higher education, and fundraising converge, it's not uncommon to feel engulfed in flames, unsure where to begin extinguishing the fires. In the next 60 minutes, we'll delve into this common sentiment, validating its occurrence even among the most seasoned professionals. What may seem like an insurmountable dumpster fire actually presents invaluable opportunities for skill development. Through prioritization, delegation, productivity enhancement, time management, and mindfulness, we can transform crises into catalysts for growth. In navigating crises, we discover not only our resilience but also our capacity for growth. By embracing challenges as learning opportunities and proactively fireproofing our futures, we empower ourselves to thrive amidst chaos. Together, let's harness the flames of adversity to illuminate our path forward.

The Enrollment Cliff. Rising costs. Soaring student debt. High-paying jobs that don’t require a degree. Political inference. Declining public trust and value perception. It’s easy to list the many challenges facing higher education, but what role do we as advancement professionals play in overcoming them? Join us to hear about and share examples of how advancement teams have leveraged their alumni, donors, communication platforms, and philanthropic resources to help their institutions meet today’s challenges head-on.

How do you turn virtual tools created during and after the pandemic into meaningful ongoing in-person and virtual programmatic efforts? Learn more about how the Northwestern Alumni Association's Small Business Directory and Alumni Authors CATalogue went from online directories into multifaceted engagement opportunities. We will share information on the development and creation of these tools as well as their continuous impact on programming and engagement. Additionally, attendees will learn how these projects further the organization's mission to broaden outreach to previously unengaged alumni as well as support the advancement of institutional diversity, equity, and inclusion values.

Colleges know that building partnerships with employers is important for student success, as well as for our institutions, but what does it mean and why do some partnerships flourish while others fail or stagnate? Join this interactive session and discover how to chart a course with business and industry partners that will lead to new and strong programs, major gifts and lifelong friendships.

In a post-#girlboss era, how can alumni relations teams create authentic connection and community for women alumni leaders and increase their likelihood to make a gift? Join staff from UChicago Alumni as we share our successes in breaking down silos between alumni relations and gift officers to launch our first Women’s Leadership Initiative, giving space for alumnae leaders to tell their stories, celebrate their achievements, and mentor young alumnae, all while deepening their connection and engagement with the University. Participants will gain actionable insights on how alumni relations frontliners can be effective and valued partners for gift officers in cultivating their prospects and fostering increased affinity for the institution.