A roundtable discussion of the value of listening, consultation, and cocreation to safely navigate institutional challenges and drive institutional success.

What if a few small changes to your giving day strategy could help you engage more alumni, increase volunteers, attract more donors AND build better relationships with your major donors? Join this session to understand the easy wins that could propel your engagement and giving to new levels because let’s face it, giving days take a lot of work so you want to spend your energy where it’ll have the most impact. This session is for those who want to take their giving day to the next level or set themselves up for success from year one.

In an environment where fundraising and development are not widely prioritised across institutional departments, it is key to engage senior leaders in a way that makes them feel invested in the mission. Whether it’s collaborating with those in a specialised field, or perhaps the wider academic staff, cross-team collaboration results in greater impact. Join this session to learn strategies for cultivating these internal relationships to help senior leaders feel empowered to get involved. Maynooth University’s Gordon Jamieson will join us to share his experience in working with academic colleagues across campus to strengthen the impact of the university’s advancement goals.

In this session, you'll hear from Jessica Roehricht at the University of York who will discuss her experience of launching and managing two successful “Challenge Week” campaigns - both fundraising for sport at York. Challenge Week is an initiative which utilises the Hubbub Giving Day platform to host a week (7-9 days) of fundraising for individual clubs and societies, borrowing best practices from the areas of Giving Day and Crowdfunding. Jessica will talk about how the idea came about, how she worked with student clubs and societies to launch Challenge Week and how the appeal expanded their available donor audience at York.   

Unlock the secrets to creating a standout mentoring program that goes beyond the basics. Discover how the right technology can boost adoption and drive meaningful impact. Learn innovative strategies to tailor your program to diverse needs, effectively promote it, and make sure it runs smoothly. A must attend session for anyone aiming to add value to their community through mentoring while keeping the experience fresh, rewarding, and impactful for both mentors and mentees. Whether you're planning a new program or refreshing an existing one, gain the insights and tools needed to achieve mentoring success.

Are you mapping out your career? Wondering how you can manage your current responsibilities while developing new skills for career advancement? Curious how you can engage your team so they see a path for skills development? In this interactive discussion, Lindauer consultants Libby Roberts and Josh Maker will explore strategies for pursuing exciting and robust careers while balancing family, work, and community life. Drawing on their experience as executive recruiters and as nonprofit professionals, Libby and Josh will share career-making – and -breaking – observations for both candidates and hiring managers. They will offer lessons on preparing for interviews, determining whether to stay in your current role or explore new opportunities, and managing your personal brand – all while keeping it healthy, lively, and fun!

The relationship between alumni and their alma mater has evolved significantly, especially accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift has redefined what alumni perceive as value—the reasons they choose to donate or engage. The trend  has led many institutions to adopt digital platforms, offering alumni modern experiences easily accessible online. However, a critical question arises: what is the real ROI of these platforms? Especially in the face of stagnating revenue and enrolment for universities, and their need to turn alumni into donors. While a growing number of institutions are seeing digital technology and community platforms as essential for meeting those rising expectations and driving long-term fundraising the return on investment remains uncertain for many. Some institutions struggle, while others succeed, yet only a few fully leverage these platforms' potential. The key lies not just in offering digital programs but in using data to personalize experiences, and turning past behaviour into tailored engagement opportunities. This data-driven approach is crucial for unlocking the full value of digital engagement platforms. But, the path forward has challenges. Join our session to explore these challenges and what opportunities lie for advancement teams.

The CASE More report was unveiled at CEAC 2023, analysing a decade of giving to higher education and how this informs the future. Digging deep into ten years of data and interrogating the experience of higher education thought leaders and responses to a sector-wide survey, we shared evidence-informed recommendations for the sector – including for how different kinds of institutions can make the best of the cards they are dealt by their history. In this session we will explore the action that has followed the publication of the report, and illuminate three stand-out recommendations for institutions across Europe. (1) Engaging academic and institutional leaders; (2) the design and delivery of inspiring supporter journeys; and (3) growing legacies. We’ll explore the evidence and lessons in each area, and colleagues from the University of York, the University of Manchester and Imperial College London will share institutional case studies. Join us as we mine these vital areas of institutional advancement, inviting contributions and questions – and look onward together at predictions for the decade ahead.