Join the conference faculty for this opening session as they’ll introduce themselves and share some of their own background working on transformational gifts. Then we’ll begin our exploration of this topic by defining was a “transformational gift” really is. We’ll also talk about the current state of transformational giving to education, future trends, and common misconceptions about these gifts. Lastly the faculty will offer you their advice on how you can get the most out of this conference.

Preparing your campus to not only be in a position to accept Transformation Gifts but to deliver on a donor’s vision and intent does not just happen by chance. In this session, we will explore the mindsets and models that help cultivate meaningful relationships and shape compelling giving opportunities. We will discuss how to shape organizational readiness, identify donor pools and potential, and access tested and emerging gift instruments to secure and steward gifts.

Mega gifts are best realized when they are inspired by bold vision and ambitious ideas. This session will focus on the necessary conditions that enable effective shaping of transformational gift opportunities and strategies. We will explore how priorities emerging from university leaders and faculty can be organized to achieve the highest gift potential. The anatomy of successful fundraising initiatives and plans will be outlined and explored together.

This session will focus on best practice for identifying campus leaders and partners that need to be involved in transformational gift discussions, and strategies for supporting their optimal engagement. We will also explore mechanisms for managing potential risks and benefits of accommodating donor restrictions and requirements and managing questions of donor control and influence.

The list of global high net worth individuals and family offices is vast and complex. Equally fruitful is an institution's constituency and the networks that can be accessed through relationships. This session will focus on innovative approaches to identify prospects through creative sourcing and prospect research strategies.

Structuring transformational gifts often includes the design of multiple gift vehicles including cash, securities and deferred assets, but also may involve emerging gift instruments including equity stakes, gifts of carried interest, and virtual endowments. This session will explore how existing and emerging giving vehicles can be evaluated to best design a complex gift with maximum shared value.