Many universities—large and small, public and private—are seeking to build or revitalize regional fundraising programs. At the University of Denver, we faced this challenge head-on post-COVID, recognizing that while our metro-area alumni base is strong, a vast and untapped philanthropic market exists beyond our backyard.

This session explores how DU reimagined its regional development strategy to unlock new donor potential, align with institutional priorities, and fuel momentum toward a $1B campaign. We’ll share the framework we built—including a documented process, internal rules of engagement, and a collaborative partnership with central and unit-based advancement teams—along with candid lessons learned and real-world scenarios.