In today’s advancement landscape, effective donor stewardship is more critical than ever—and donor reports are a vital touchpoint for engagement. At many institutions, communications and design teams are stretched thin, and traditional stewardship tools—especially static reports—fail to meet donor expectations for personalization, design, and interactivity.
Florida A&M University took a strategic leap forward. In partnership with iFOLIO, FAMU adopted a hybrid creative agency + technology model built specifically for donor communications. The result: a streamlined process for delivering personalized, digital-first reports that feature videos, animations, and interactive calls to action—empowering donors to engage more deeply and give more easily.
This digital stewardship approach has transformed FAMU’s communications, from annual reports and donor impact updates to endowment reporting. Built-in analytics allow the advancement team to measure engagement, track donor actions, and refine outreach in real time.
To date, iFOLIO has supported 22+ universities and communications tied to over $4 billion in philanthropic contributions, delivering donor reports, campaign materials, and automated email strategies that increase connection and inspire giving.
In this session, attendees will learn how to:
• Reimagine donor reporting with a digital-first strategy grounded in storytelling and impact
• Implement a hybrid creative + technology model to improve efficiency and quality
• Analyze real-world examples of personalized donor reports and PURLs from FAMU
• Apply best practices for scalable, personalized donor stewardship
• Leverage analytics to track donor engagement and drive next actions

How do bitter rivals come together to find purpose? In an era of constant transformation, how do we find stability and meaning? Join colleagues from UNC and UVA as they collaboratively explore Ikigai, the Japanese concept of "a reason for being." This session will guide you through an insightful journey to uncover your unique and powerful framework for staying grounded and resilient amidst continuous change. Learn practical strategies to identify your own Ikigai, cultivate a deeper sense of fulfillment and direction - regardless of external shifts and leave with the ability to create a “toolkit” for yourself and for your stakeholders.

It was 3 1/2 years ago that Duke Magazine was given the charge to rebrand, to re-imagine itself and speak with a more people-centric voice, a modern take on an alumni magazine that goes out to 180,000 highly engaged Duke grads and friends. The team stepped up to reconsider how a university might be presented in the digital era and post-Covid. What emerged was a highly visual, colorful, fun and personality-driving publication. We said: "This needs to be fun." And then we set about making it happen -- to great reviews. If it feels a little PEOPLE mag-- that's because it is. And we think this approach, with shorter stories, a selection of upfront bits and unexpected art, makes folks want to continue turning the pages. It's the yin and yang of serious research, diverse alumni profiles sprinkled with a little bit of sports and a good dose of nostalgia. A new and cooler DukeMag.

As educational institutions continue to navigate an ever-changing philanthropic environment, it is important to have the right board with the right mindset to support your fundraising efforts. This panel will highlight the essential traits and characteristics of board members who are true partners in the fundraising success of the organization. What does it take to get board members who are forward thinking and proactive with the ability to pivot as necessary? This presentation will provide attendees with the tools that are needed to assist in the selection process.

Colleges and universities, especially small privates, have historically lagged behind the corporate sector and many non-profits when it comes to marketing. For many in academia, marketing has not only been considered a low strategic priority, but even a “dirty word” until more recently.

Those times have changed. Our current market realities – fraught with increased competition and costs, fewer high school graduates, confusing aid options, the questioning of value and a need to connect with a hyper-plugged-in consumer base – have forced dozens of institutions, some with over 100 years of tradition, to merge or close their doors permanently. While not a silver bullet, many colleges and institutions are boosting their competitiveness by leaning hard into proven marketing strategies from the corporate sector. This approach can be used to establish thought leadership, expand brand awareness, build reputation, generate right-fit leads, inform consumers and solidify financial support.

This session will provide an overview of best practices and considerations around applying tried-and-true corporate marketing principles to the marketing of higher education. Berry College will share their approach to achieving success through seven key marketing considerations. Berry has invested significantly in “corporate-style” marketing over the past six years, resulting in record enrollment numbers, a more selective class, increased awareness and a noticeable boost in brand recall. During the presentation, Berry will share guidance for planning, requirements for success and some specific key learnings from implementing this forward-thinking approach to marketing.

Participants will leave with a high-level blueprint for achieving marketing success as well as additional resources and considerations for building out a marketing plan.

This panel will explore how institutions can strategically align University Licensing, Alumni Relations, and Athletics to develop meaningful and effective merchandising efforts. Panelists will share practical insights and real examples of partnerships with alumni and athletics that support brand integrity, drive engagement, and meet institutional goals. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to approach merchandising as a collaborative tool that strengthens connection and impact.

Learn more about one organization's journey from using "query gymnastics" to creating a PowerBI dashboard to streamline reporting for the CASE Alumni Engagement Metrics annual survey. Learn how to spend less time reporting and more time harnessing the power of Alumni Engagement metrics to drive real-time program results.

Discover how institutions like NC State and William & Mary are using artificial intelligence to transform annual giving, from student-led outreach to autonomous engagement and personalized content creation. This session shares real-world examples of how AI is enhancing donor conversations, streamlining follow-up, and scaling communications with greater efficiency and authenticity. Whether you're just beginning to explore AI or ready to deepen its impact, you'll leave with practical ideas and inspiration to move from experimentation to execution.

How do you build a culture of alumni engagement that begins before students even arrive on campus—and continues long after graduation? This session explores how the Carolina Covenant program at UNC Chapel Hill has developed a comprehensive “Pipeline of Engagement” that connects students and alumni at every stage of the academic and post-graduate journey. Beginning with Admitted Student Receptions by county, alumni are invited to welcome and support newly admitted students, fostering early community ties. Throughout the student experience, alumni are integrated into events and programming, reinforcing a culture of mentorship and giving back. As students approach graduation, they participate in a robust Career Fair where 50 alumni advocates offer industry-specific advice and networking opportunities. Post-graduation, young alumni are supported through alumni-to-alumni networking events that promote continued connection and career development. This pipeline is guided by a strategic Alumni Advisory Board, which provides annual feedback and alignment with institutional goals, and supported by an Executive Board of top donors, who help drive fundraising and philanthropic efforts. Participants will leave with a framework for building their own engagement pipeline and a toolkit of ideas to adapt at their institutions.

From the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' to Executive Orders and funding freezes, stay informed on the legislation shaping our sector. Join Brian Flahaven, CASE’s Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, to understand how these policies impact charitable giving, endowments, and foreign gifts—and learn how CASE is advocating on behalf of schools