The CASE-Ross data shows that typically many of the biggest gifts come from trusts & foundations. This session shows how to access the big bucks!

So much of philanthropy claims to be planned, guided by the theory of solicitation cycles and wealth ratings. However, we all know that luck so often plays an important role! This elective invites you to be curious; to revel in the unpredictability of humans and to lean into the opportunities for a chance that our sector has in abundance. How can your fundraising success be improved by learning to see opportunities in the unexpected and how can you change the way you work to become ‘luckier’?!

Advancement professionals work in contexts where unequal power dynamics can be a significant factor. This can sometimes create unsafe or uncomfortable situations. For example, the Chronicle of Philanthropy and Association of Fundraising Professionals survey found that 1 in 4 female fundraisers and nearly 1 in 10 male fundraisers have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. Nearly two-thirds of people who reported sexual harassment blamed donors. In this session, Margaret Clift and Liz Reilly will explore some of the challenges that can face fundraisers in the field and the complexities of negotiating them. We will talk about planning for safety, strategies for handling situations that feel unsafe or uncomfortable, and different institutions’ approaches to protecting their staff.

This session will explore how institutions and organisations can successfully foster a culture of ‘Principal Giving’ through an interactive presentation and delegate round table discussion. Faculty members will draw on their extensive experience in a range of settings and will explore what Principal Giving could mean for you and your team. We’ll look at how your organisation might define, identify and develop principal donors and partner with them to realise shared ambitions and transformational impact. We’ll also highlight key issues and operational tensions that may need to be navigated and discuss how you can develop your own professional competencies to play your role to the full.

In this session, we’ll examine possible uses for new open-source AI tools in every kind of fundraising, from writing great thank you letters to drafting talking points for a major donor meeting, and learn how to prompt like an expert. We’ll also explore the practical and ethical challenges of this tool – unintentional bias, plagiarism, cyber-security and the expansion of the digital divide, among others.’

Volunteerism is a key pillar of successful alumni engagement and fundraising, with volunteers giving their “time, talent, and treasure.” The treasure part – making a philanthropic gift – is straightforward enough, but what about this “time and talent” bit? In this session, we’ll explore some best practices in alumni volunteer management, looking at a variety of volunteer types from boards and campaign committees, to class and reunion volunteers, and more. When volunteers are not well managed, the consequences – and your headaches – can be painful. But when they are carefully recruited, guided, and stewarded, their gifts of “time and talent” can increase your organization’s impact and generate exponentially more “treasure” in support of your school.

This is a chance to dig deeper into principal giving and build on the plenary session on Thursday.

A frank discussion about how to take control of your career, using a combination of planning, advice, circumstance and luck. We hope to debunk a few myths and reflect on several years of brave choices, terrible decisions, some well-placed advice, and a bit of luck. Bring your questions, an open mind as we offer a genuine willingness to answer any question you choose to ask.