Close pipeline gaps and leverage AI to elevate your leadership giving. This session will share the story of MSU Denver's mid-level giving program and explore how using a thoughtful, personalized approach, such as celebrating giving anniversaries and birthdays, can be customized for your institution.

One thing is for certain, change is a constant. In advancement, fundraising priorities shift and evolve, and the needs of the fundraising and alumni teams have grown over time. CRMs have significantly changed over the years to manage all the complexities of data and technology.

To lead a team through a CRM transition - a fundraising system selection and implementation is not for the faint of heart. It requires vision, strategy and the ability to guide teams with confidence through periods of uncertainty and change. In this session, two senior advancement services leaders - with more than 50 years of combined experience at institutions such as Northwestern University, Stanford University and Santa Clara University - will share proven strategies for successfully navigating change at every level. Drawing on their deep expertise in CRM system selection and implementation, gift processing, prospect management, data integrity and system security, they will highlight what it takes to keep teams aligned, processes efficient, and stakeholders informed, engaged and on target.

Key topics will include building and retaining strong teams during times of staffing shifts or turnover, training your teams up while keeping the current work moving along, creating communication and stakeholder engagement plans that build trust and transparency, and identifying champions and advocates to lead and inspire others throughout the project lifecycle.
The presenters will also share post-implementation stabilization guidelines and strategies from reporting to ensuring data quality and workflow adoption to fostering cross-campus collaboration and continuous improvement.

Federal policy decisions are reshaping the landscape for educational advancement, influencing fundraising, alumni engagement, and communications across schools, colleges, and universities. From tax policy proposals in Washington to shifting regulatory priorities across federal agencies, advancement leaders must understand how these developments may affect donor behavior, volunteer engagement, and strategic planning. The 2026 conference closes with an engaging session on the current U.S. federal policy environment, highlighting the legislative and regulatory issues most relevant to advancement offices. Attendees will gain insight into how emerging priorities in Congress and the administration may shape giving, advocacy, and communications in the year ahead.