Learn how MIT is taking a strategic and tactical approach to data management in preparation for future technology transformation. Leading from critical needs of the organization, MIT is developing a data classification strategy to inform data migrations, reinforce data standards, and leverage established project management principles to strengthen its data management practices as they respond to the changing needs of their constituents and transform their business.

This interactive session highlights the union of two CASE resources: the Alumni Engagement metrics framework and the Advancement Inclusion Index. Join Jenny and Ben as they provide you with outcomes-driven next steps to apply broad-based data informed strategies in engaging diverse communities, regardless of your current organizational diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) maturity level. You’ll leave with an understanding of resources provided by CASE; examples of how institutions are applying the framework to focus on ever-diversified communities; and how to identify gaps and potential barriers to establish pathways to build enduring and mutually beneficial relationships, drive positive change and foster a sense of belonging for all.

Across industries and in our personal lives, people are exploring the possibilities of generative Artificial Intelligence. In this brave new world, organizations are often independently developing policies around the use of tools like ChatGPT and Bard. Hear about institutional approaches; what peers wish they had known; and outcomes of early projects whether they were successful or not.

Portfolio review can be a stressful time for both prospect researchers and frontline fundraisers. While their goals intertwine, the methods and information required to meet these goals aren't always in line. In this session we will explore the portfolio review process through the eyes of both groups. ResearchPoint and Raiser's Edge NXT will be our platforms for our session. ResearchPoint will guide our prospect researchers and they identify and qualify prospects, and Raiser's Edge will lead our frontline fundraisers as they build engagement strategies for their prospects.

The landscape of higher education and higher education fundraising has never been more challenging. This is a timely opportunity for university and advancement leaders to proactively perform the delicate juggling act of understanding their constituents while experiencing an ongoing and heighten pressure to raise funds. This can be accomplished with the proper data, intelligence, and predictive analytics via the right constituent relationship management (CRM) tool, such as Affinaquest’s Advancement RM, which provides a seamless and collaborative approach to strategic constituent engagement. Join us and learn how two current Affinaquest clients chose the Advancement RM tool and how one implementation partner helped to carve out a culture of true collaboration!

This session will navigate the intricacies of the United States’ diverse market and donor profiles, offering strategic insights for effective fundraising for the wealthy. Explore the trends prevalent among the ultra-wealthy and learn how to leverage regional preferences. Join us to optimize your impact and ensure your organization thrives in the dynamic world of charitable giving.

As personalized and curated experiences continue to take over digital and commercial spaces, donor engagement teams must continually innovate to keep up. All-in-one solutions can provide small teams with scalable platforms and comprehensive tools that drive results, but they often come with limitations in product development that don’t meet the needs of individual clients. Over the last year, Georgia State University’s Donor Engagement and Communications team has used data analysis, strategic engagement and personalized outreach to develop an internal donor experience program focused on long-term results: the acquisition and retention of mid-level donors with the aim of carrying them through the “murky middle” and establishing them as our next generation of major donors.

Much of the conversation about improving predictive models focuses on finding the optimal model technology, such as linear regression, logistics regression, classification trees, etc. We argue that there should be just as much focus on Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) techniques by exploring, diagnosing and transforming the data - before, during and after the modeling process. We will also demonstrate how to apply different Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) techniques to find optimal transformation and identify outliers.

Despite women representing 70% of the workforce in philanthropy, gender disparity persists when it comes to representation in senior leadership roles. Join us for an engaging panel discussion focused on Women in Advancement with an esteemed group of leaders in higher education. We’ll delve into some of the issues women face in our industry, including gender pay gaps, harassment, and other systemic barriers to career advancement. From navigating institutional politics to overcoming gender biases, we'll explore some of the challenges and strategies to leveling the playing field as we envision the future of women leaders in advancement. This will be a conversation you don’t want to miss!

As demands for data increase exponentially, it’s more important than ever to develop and implement a cohesive data management strategy. While the data team may hold the center, an effective strategy involves all stakeholders, from inception to implementation. In this session, we’ll dive into the structural, cultural, and tactical components to form an organizational strategy owned by everyone (not just the data team!).