In any organization there is an overarching culture that permeates all areas of responsibility including volunteerism, fundraising, and communication. These are the policies and procedures; the knowledge of how things are done. Culture also includes our organizational values and beliefs. It generally frames how we behave at work. There are also subcultures among the different areas of responsibility which depcit how your teammates relate to one another, share information or opinions, make decisions, and work toward goals. All of which will have an impact on results, especially when leading through change. Peter Drucker, the ‘father of management,” is famously quoted saying “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Meaning you can have all the strategic plans, policies and procedures that you want, but at the end of the day it is the behaviors and reactions of people that drive culture and determine which plans, policies, and procedures succeed or fail. In this session, we will focus on the nemesis of a healthy culture - the “silo mentality” - and how to move toward positive collaboration and avoid these classic pitfalls in change management.

Effective stewardship is about more than a "thank you." It's about creating a structured, personalized approach that deepens donor relationships over time. Join us to explore how you can design and implement a stewardship matrix to ensure consistent, meaningful engagement with donors at all levels.

Effective portfolio management is the linchpin between prospect identification and philanthropic outcomes. This session explores strategies to increase discovery activity, support thoughtful portfolio composition with qualified prospects, ensure movement through the gift cycle, and optimize ongoing management through purposeful reviews and data-informed insights. We’ll share real-world examples of how to:

• Structure workflows that move prospects from research into portfolios efficiently
• Increase discovery activity without relying on rigid metrics or formal accountability
• Conduct portfolio reviews that inspire action and improve portfolio health
• Use data to identify gaps, stagnation, or opportunities in existing portfolios

Whether you're refining a mature system or building new structures, this session focuses on practical ways to activate the pipeline and support meaningful fundraising activity.

Parent engagement and fundraising efforts pose unique challenges to a traditional development program. With parents, there tends to be a narrow window of opportunity for engaging, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding parents, so we must thoughtfully plan the critical fundraising touches along the way - from the admissions cycle through graduation. If we do this well we can achieve our goals and provide rewarding experiences for our parents and families. Let's explore the journey of parents/families and discuss ways to optimize fundraising opportunities along the way.

Explore the diverse and rewarding career pathways in Advancement Services in this comprehensive session. Whether you're new to the field or seeking to advance your career, we'll provide insights into what a career path may look like, and what other options are out there regarding the wider lens of Advancement Operations. Join us to understand how you can navigate your professional journey in Advancement Services and achieve your career goals.

Uncover the art of Impact Reporting in this insightful presentation, where we delve into defining impact and the diverse types of stories organizations can tell. Learn how to identify meaningful narratives with the help of advancement services and discover strategies to share these stories effectively, even on a limited budget. We'll cover practical tips for storytelling techniques and cost-efficient

Understanding charitable gift fundamentals is essential for anyone working in advancement, but what happens when a gift doesn’t fit neatly into standard processes? In this session, we’ll cover the essentials of gift processing, while also diving into those tricky, “sticky” gifts that come with unique challenges. From donor restrictions and complex assets to IRS compliance and internal policy considerations, we’ll explore best practices for navigating and resolving gift-related dilemmas. Whether you’re new to gift processing or looking for a refresher on managing complications, this session will provide practical insights to ensure every gift is handled with confidence and integrity.

A well-utilized CRM is the backbone of successful fundraising, alumni engagement, and data-driven decision-making. However, implementation and optimization are often easier said than done. Join us as we share hard-won lessons, pitfalls to avoid, and best practices for getting the most out of your CRM. Whether you're transitioning to a new system, struggling with user adoption, or looking to unlock advanced functionality, this discussion will provide actionable insights to drive efficiency and results.

Who were/are/will be the most giving donors for our organization?” are three of the most pressing questions of increasing urgency and importance needing response, especially given current political and economic maelstroms. To answer these and many other philanthropy-related questions within our respective organizations, we must address two large areas both separately and concurrently: data and prospect development. For this introductory session, we will go over the foundational principles about data and about the prospect development process. We will then learn what/how/why data are key at each stage for prospect development to give credence to “computational philanthropy.” Finally, we will take an inventory of the necessary computer science, data science, and AI tools and skills required within and beyond advancement operations towards sound computational philanthropy practices.

It will happen if it hasn’t already. You and/or members of your team must face a difficult decision. Not a black or white issue, but one of those grey areas with multiple points of view, involving volunteers, top donors, colleagues, faculty members, or someone you supervise or report to. What to do? In this plenary, we’ll give you the foundational guidance to set you up for professional success. You will then get an opportunity to engage in conversation working through real situations advancement professionals just like you, have faced. You will walk away with new insights, tools, and strategies that will help you and your team, operate at the highest ethical standards.