Development Offices usually work with limited resources and we have to prioritise daily. We often have to choose between handling stewardship to existing donors and to spend important time approaching new donors. Both tasks takes time, and we have to balance our efforts to have a good portfolio of donors in the long time perspective. In this Camp Fire session we will discuss how we can work more efficiently by partnering with stakeholders, for example Advisory Boards. We look forward to listen to your experiences and to have a discussion with a great learning and sharing moment!

We discuss how to bridge the gap between studies and work by using alumni as a resource in showing the relevance of the education. By showing our current students what our alumni works with, we give them concrete examples of how their competence can be applied in the work force.

Over the past decade, the importance of individual giving and donations has significantly increased in the Nordic university sector. Understanding the motivations and experiences of individual donors is becoming increasingly crucial. In this breakout session, we will present two case studies that shed light on this topic. In 2024, Nora Rahnasto explored ways to enhance the engagement and donor experience of major individual donors in higher education as part of her MBA thesis in Service Innovation and Design. The study identified four donor behavior archetypes and the different motivations of major individual donors, with Aalto University serving as the case study. Alexandra Kettil from Chalmers will provide concrete and inspiring examples of Chalmers' alumni giving program and fundraising for international scholarships, illustrating successful strategies and practices in engaging alumni as donors. Join us to gain valuable insights into effectively designing donor experiences and fostering stronger relationships with private individuals.

Chalmers is committed to igniting curiosity for STEM from an early age through hands-on school activities that bridge educational gaps and inspire future scientists and engineers. Our alumni play a key role in this mission. By sharing their expertise, enthusiasm, and real-world experiences, alumni become powerful role models who can spark a lifelong passion for STEM. Whether through mentoring, volunteering or simply sharing their journeys, their involvement creates lasting impact. Engaging alumni also presents challenges as societal trends shift. Join this session to explore our initiatives, share best practices and lessons learned, and uncover new strategies for enhancing alumni engagement and inspire the next generation.

What are the latest trends in advancement and what do they mean for your institution? This session will draw on recent CASE Insights research to explore trends that are impacting advancement practices in educational institutions, as well as contextualizing our findings with what we are learning from our members around the globe. • Dig into data from CASE's most recent research on global philanthropy and alumni engagement, including how institutions are using AI to support their advancement activities • Get a preview of future CASE research priorities. • Hear about how institutions are using CASE data in their organisational planning and decision-making • Discuss how Northern European institutions can use and develop CASE data

An introduction to Chalmers’ student union and its operations. The role of students and Chalmers’ Student Union is central in developing Chalmers to a globally outstanding university of technology by the early 2040’s. This plenary will provide an insight into a unique student union structure and provide an outlook on the student union’s role in the future.

Higher education rankings have become a fixture of the academic calendar. They help sell newspapers, promote consulting services and provide great PR for the institutions that do well in them, but do they add value to your institution or encourage distortions to game the system?

Social media empowers higher education institutions to achieve broad visibility, even with limited budgets. By sharing meaningful, authentic content, institutions can foster engagement and trust. Practical examples include student ambassador programs, social media takeovers, and influencer collaborations. New experiments on platforms like TikTok highlight innovative ways to connect with younger, digitally native audiences.

Due Diligence and related data have been one of the focus points in higher education area during the last years. High-quality data and the ability to use it analytically to support this is crucial for successful fundraising and agile alumni relations. The importance of centralized and structured process and CRM Master Data is also at the core. In this session, I'll share hands-on how this has unfolded in Aalto University and invite you to bring your insights and questions to the discussion.