Families continue to see education as an investment, and the cost to run schools effectively continues to rise. How, then, do we promote not just what we offer, but how we can have an impact on a student's life that is a worthy investment? This session explores one school's reimagined home page and "About" section from start to finish, to answer this question more effectively than the traditional mission statement.

Stewardship does not require a large staff or unlimited resources. This session will share how a three-person advancement team stewards donors effectively, authentically, and at scale. We’ll explore practical donor segmentation strategies that help small teams work smarter and share how we've built our stewardship plan, aligned communications across channels, and leveraged events as meaningful touchpoints. We’ll also discuss when and how to bend the rules, inject fun, and personalize engagement to deepen relationships without burning out. 

How does a centuries-old English school attract major gifts from donors in Hong Kong, the US, and beyond?

Winchester College has been shaping minds since 1382, but today, its philanthropic reach spans the globe. With 20% of students receiving transformative scholarships each year, backed by over $6.3 million in annual support, the College has created a powerful model for global fundraising.

Led by Melanie Bushell, Director of Development and international fundraising expert, this session uncovers how Winchester has cultivated a loyal donor base in over 30 countries. From multi-million dollar gifts from overseas alumni, to Giving Days that spark donations from around the world, learn how Winchester blends heritage with innovation to drive international support.

Melanie brings experience from the British Royal Navy and Army charities, offering valuable insights on major donor stewardship, legacy fundraising, and engaging families and alumni across continents.

This is a must-attend session for advancement professionals looking to expand their global fundraising footprint and build a culture of giving that transcends borders.

DASL is so much more than a once-a-year data entry process! DASL data can help you build the case for staffing, see micro and macro trends, and provide invaluable context as you educate your senior leadership and trustees about the state of philanthropy in independent schools. Join Hilary LaMonte from NAIS and Emma Sonduck from CASE as they share about the reporting functionality available in DASL and how those reports can help your team tell the story of fundraising at your school. 

Independent schools face increasing pressure to meet ambitious fundraising targets. This workshop empowers leaders to make hiring decisions that drive results. Whether you're launching a capital campaign or strengthening annual giving, the right team makes all the difference.

This dynamic workshop is designed for heads of school, advancement leaders, and hiring managers who are ready to elevate their fundraising outcomes by assembling high-performing teams. Participants will explore how strategic hiring practices can directly influence donor engagement, campaign success, and long-term sustainability.

Key areas that will be discussed include:
• Key Roles & Structures: Understand the essential positions for an independent school advancement team and how to align them with your fundraising goals.
• Hiring for Mission Fit: Discover techniques for identifying candidates who not only bring skills but also embody your school’s values and culture.
• Performance-Driven Recruitment: Learn how to assess candidates for fundraising potential and the ability to engage and steward a diverse constituency.
• Retention & Growth Strategies: Explore how to build a team culture that fosters professional development and employee satisfaction.

In 2026, fundraising success hinges on understanding how to engage the next generation of donors while embracing inclusive tactics that resonate within our diverse communities. This presentation will equip attendees with the critical insights needed to navigate a changing donor landscape, focusing on how racial, gender, and demographic trends shape donor behavior and philanthropic preferences.

We will explore how emerging wealth holders bring distinct values and expectations to their giving, and how organizations can adapt to these shifts to connect meaningfully. Key areas of donor engagement that will be explored include: Donor Communications, Events in a post-COVID era, Naming and Recognition, and Evolving Engagement and Solicitation Strategies.

Since 2019, Nueva has rebuilt its alumni program from the ground up—starting with a healthier, more accurate database. Program growth and progress is shaped by data-driven decisions utilizing the CASE Alumni Engagement Metrics. By integrating a dedicated alumni networking platform, MavNet, the program delivers targeted, high-impact programming that strengthens authentic connections and fosters lifelong bonds. In this session, learn how better data leads to better engagement and scalable strategic tips for alumni offices and programs of all sizes.

The Madeira School’s website redesign became much more than a digital facelift—it became the heartbeat of their brand. By combining creativity, content strategy, and technology, Madeira transformed its site into a living storytelling platform powered by its own community.

This session will explore how #MadeAtMadeira evolved into a vibrant, crowd-sourced narrative that authentically reflects the school’s spirit, drives measurable results, and turns every stakeholder into a brand ambassador. Participants will see how a content strategy that “does the work for you” can unify messaging, inspire engagement, and deliver data-backed impact.

Discover how Phillips Exeter Academy has placed alumni feedback at the heart of its alumni engagement strategy. This session examines Exeter’s comprehensive Alumni Attitude Study, conducted in partnership with PEG, Ltd., and how it sparked refined engagement strategies, collaborative leadership, and a culture of continuous improvement. Participants will learn strategies for leveraging stakeholder input to validate existing programs, reveal new opportunities, and engage volunteers and leadership in meaningful partnership. Through Exeter’s experience, attendees will take away practical tools for advancing constituent relationships.

Advancement and communications leaders know how to think big and how to get things done—which makes them uniquely equipped to lead their schools’ strategic planning efforts. From framing mission and values, to facilitating community engagement, to translating a head’s 30,000-foot vision into an actionable plan, these leaders often sit at the crossroads of vision and execution.

Representing three schools around the country —Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Washington — advancement and communications directors will share how they stepped beyond traditional job descriptions to co-lead strategic planning at their institutions. Participants will hear stories about what worked, what didn’t, and what they wish they had known: from managing consultants and expectations, to balancing the process with day-to-day responsibilities, to bringing the final plan to life.

Attendees will leave with practical strategies, lessons learned, and the confidence to position themselves as leaders in strategic planning—while embracing the joys and challenges of shaping their schools’ futures.