Campaigns 101: Building a Successful School Fundraising Campaign
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM CT
Speaker(s): Lishelle Blakemore, Associate Vice Chancellor, Development, University Development and Alumni Relations, University of California, Berkeley, Colin Hennessy, Vice President for Alumni and Donor Engagement, The University of Iowa Center for Advancement
Elective Session
Fundraising campaigns can feel overwhelming, but they don’t have to be. In this session, we’ll demystify the anatomy of a campaign and explore how to translate big ambitions into actionable steps. You’ll learn how campaigns work, why they matter, and how to assess your school’s readiness for one. We’ll examine how to build a compelling case for support, engage your top donors and volunteers, and align goals with institutional strategy. Whether you're in the earliest planning stages or simply want to understand how campaigns come together, you’ll leave with practical tools, a readiness checklist, and a renewed sense of confidence in your role.