Addressing Cybersecurity and Data Governance in Education Fundraising 

Do people read emails anymore? Yes—they do. But not the way you think.This talk will show you exactly how to write subject lines, optimize your links, and lay out your email copy so your message gets across. In this session, you’ll learn: How to write good subject lines that increase open rates. Typical email reading patterns and how to use them to your advantage. How to appropriately use formatting and white space. Recommendations on sentence structure and reading level. How to use links and buttons to guarantee click-through. A quick way to test if your email will get read. This session is useful for everyone, whether you send mass emails or just internal ones.

Every organization has a potential treasure trove of data, but not everyone recognizes the potential value of this commodity. This session will focus on the basics of addressing data needs at your organization. Participants will explore the value of data, strategies for data acquisition and integration, and practical ways in which we address data integrity. Importantly, practical means of measuring data-related ROI are explored.

A clearly articulated (and easily implemented) set of policies and procedures supports every advancement operation's long-term ability to maintain data accurately, manage team and stakeholder expectations, and comply with requirements. But who decides what is the core set of policies and procedures you need in your toolkit and when each should be deployed? Where do you start in developing or refining your institutions set of policies and procedures? Why do you need both and how do you document and distribute each for the greatest impact? We'll discuss these questions, and more, as we identify the key policies and procedures you need and gain ideas for implementing best practice solutions while avoiding reaching for a one-size-fits all answer.

Since no two donors are alike, it can be difficult to recognize them in a standardized, scalable fashion. Yet, over the years many approaches to donor recognition have evolved into what are now considered standard practices. Recognition societies, donor walls and annual donor rosters are a few such examples. Learn the basics of these practices and how advancement services supports them. Peek into the future of donor recognition via a brief look at some of the new ideas and trends seeking to further evolve our standard practices.

Many organizations may be talking about AI, but how many people really understand what it is? Or, its implications for the future of fundraising and our work? Attend this session to gain insights into the evolution and fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence. We will focus on the history of AI to build confidence in our understanding of its impact on our work today and in the future. You will leave the session with a list of practical talking points on AI you can bring back to your organization, including ethical considerations and the importance of adapting to emerging technologies for fundraising success.

In today's ever-evolving workplace, it is crucial to develop effective strategies for managing up to your supervisors and navigating your organization's structure. We will explore the art of managing from your seat, providing you with insights and practical techniques to cultivate strong relationships with supervisors and peers while influencing the decision-making process. We will explore how to effectively communicate your ideas, progress reports, and results to supervisors, ensuring your contributions are acknowledged and appreciated. Additionally, we will delve into strategies for building skills, reputation, mentorship circles, and positioning you for success in today’s rapidly changing work environment.

Fundraising campaigns are complex, and so is the blueprint for campaign marketing and communications. We have to reach a variety of constituents for a ton of different reasons over a period of years. And all the while we have to tell a coherent story based in our institution’s values, mission, and plans. So where to start? What to produce and why? This is doable.