More than ever, the advancement disciplines rely on each other to ensure school and institutional success. Learn how cross-discipline collaboration works (and sometimes doesn't) from a panel of leaders in alumni relations, fundraising, advancement services, and communications and marketing. Discover the current state and coming trends in collaboration across advancement disciplines. Your institutes' chairs will share examples of how fundraising, advancement services, alumni relations, and communications and marketing.

Attendees will meet daily with curated advisory small groups led by expert faculty members to debrief from the day’s learning and problem solve in real time.

Inclusive philanthropy requires deliberate actions that permeate throughout advancement organizations, but the current legislative and political climate is eroding these efforts. This session will help attendees understand “how we got here;” explore how advancement services, alumni relations, fundraising, and marketing and communication professionals can be active participants in DEIB advancement strategies, and how those new to the profession can develop a skill set that will add value to their organization.

Fundraising campaigns are complex organisms. To bring essential investment into our schools, we need to engage thousands of constituents who have a broad range of interests, varied connections to the institution, and very busy lives. (Not to mention the wide array of internal stakeholders on our campuses who require care and feeding, too.) So, where to start? Together, let’s cover some of the basics, including that foundational document—the case for support— which will lead us into a discussion of the business that underpins campaigns and communications that can bring our institutions—values, mission, character, hopes, and dreams—to life.

Why do some fundraising & advancement professionals thrive where others struggle? What can we learn from individuals who arrive at the highest levels of performance? How might recent studies of expert performers inform our approach to our work? We will explore these questions and review techniques that are essential to our craft. Join us and discover why advancement stars are made and not born.

For more than 10,000 years humankind has been moved by great stories. Stories have changed the course of history, been used to right wrongs, and to educate new generations. Each of our educational institutions is bursting with powerful, meaningful stories. As advancement professionals, we have the opportunity and the challenge to capture this vital information and bring it to life. Many believe that the best fundraisers are also exceptional storytellers. This elective session will dive into the techniques and approaches that will help anyone learn to tell a great story, including time to role play what you’ve learned with your classmates!

Whether you're just starting out or you’re a seasoned professional, join us as we explore our Summer Institute program and your CASE membership. We’ll talk through Institute community features and share tips to enhance your week in Madison. Discover how to leverage CASE's extensive educational opportunities, robust library, and volunteer opportunities to enhance organizational impact and your career.

Looking for inspiration? In this session, you’ll see communication and marketing examples that use AI to solve problems, save time, spark creativity, and achieve successful outcomes. Plus, you’ll leave with a few AI best practices. Are you already getting creative with AI? As part of this session, you’re invited to share your AI success stories. Finally, you’ll hear about specific AI tools campuses are using now and what to look forward to trying next.

Highly sought advancement professionals understand strategy. Whether you’re an early professional, mid-career, or aiming for an executive chair, those who are most valuable to their team understand what their university stands for, who it benefits, and why people should care. These essential but ephemeral ideas are wrapped up in the university’s brand and organizational strategy. In this session we’ll explore how to understand your university’s strategy and how to align your goals, talents and interests with the needs of your institution for the greatest mutual benefit.