Spring Institute in Educational Fundraising 2025
Delivered through a variety of plenaries, tutorials and practical workshops sessions, you will return to work with a clear sense of what your job entails and a network of supportive contacts to help you deliver your objectives.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please email Rich Nicholl, Senior Director of Global Programmes, Strategy and Delivery at [email protected].
Learning Objectives
- Evaluate criteria that distinguish fundraising for major gifts, annual and regular giving and donor relations.
- Develop a toolkit to support a more person-centred, relationship-based fundraising approach.
- Understand how active listening and strategic thinking can positively impact fundraising initiatives.
- Enhance your interpersonal skills and competencies to build strong professional relationships internally and externally.
- Recognise how specific cultures influence engagement.
Institute Experience Highlights
- All-Institute general sessions that explore key concepts from diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, leadership, and integrity.
- Interdisciplinary elective sessions that provide industry-sector expertise in educational fundraising, advancement services, alumni relations, communications and marketing.
- Small faculty-led meetings are designed to target essential content covered each day.
- Peer-to-peer networking opportunities
Delegate testimonials
What a fantastic week!! I knew it was going to be a good, from hearing about it from former colleagues, but I really had not anticipated it being quite so informative and educational. Not only that, to be surrounded by such supportive delegates and faculty was wonderful.
Delegate, 2024 cohort
The institute was such a great experience for anyone new to fundraising or moving from the charity sector to HE. The opportunities to network were great, the sessions were well planned, and the general accommodation and location was a great choice.
Delegate, 2024 cohort
SIEF has given me such a positive boost of energy and I feel so motivated about the work we all do as a sector. The faculty were kind, authentic and knowledgeable, and it's obvious how much they care about the sector and the careers of those just starting out in it. It was such a pleasure to get to know them and to be able to learn from them. It was also great to step out of the bubble of my institution and learn about different institutes, both in the UK and beyond.
Delegate, 2024 cohort
I loved that the week touched on aspects I had not thought about at all, such as mental health, ethics etc. It was also great to have sessions not just focussed on major gifts. Overall, it felt incredibly friendly and supportive, and I learnt a lot.
Delegate, 2024 cohort
I wanted to THANK you and your team for putting together a FANTASTIC Conference last week. It was an absolutely brilliant week, one which I will remember for a very long time, for all the right reasons.
It was an incredible opportunity to meet, work alongside, learn from and socialise with likeminded colleagues from other universities. I am sure we will keep in touch and continue to share ideas, tips and experiences with each other.
How can I sum-up how TOTALLY AWESOME & AMAZING the Faculty were…. Every one of them spoke with such passion and positivity throughout the week, sharing tips, hints, stories and of course their wealth of knowledge. Their approach was fun and upbeat, and they asked great questions to provoke ideas and interesting discussions. It was also heartening to hear them share their vulnerabilities and reaffirm that it is ok to vary your career path, ask lots of questions and sometimes make mistakes.
Thank you again for making this happen, I can wholeheartedly recommend this conference to anyone new to the industry. It has given me a new sense of direction with an unparalleled support from a fantastic group of people.
2022 Spring Institute delegate