Chase Moore believes "breaking bread—both the symbol and the gesture—are so important to creating community." In his work as CASE's Director of District Relations, he explains how connections and community are cornerstones of his work.

There’s a long-held belief in fundraising that major donors, especially new major donors, do not give large unrestricted amounts of cash to organizations. But could there be a way to shift this paradigm in advancement about unrestricted giving? To help donors consider an unrestricted major gift, practitioners must frame the need for such support in a tangible way that gives the individual something to contemplate. That involves drafting a comprehensive case and making a strategic ask for an unrestricted gift. 

Most gifts to educational institutions are made in the spirit of generosity by committed donors aligned with the college, university, school, or nonprofit’s mission. But plenty of fundraisers have a story or two to tell about times when the giving process is a bit tricky. And today, these scenarios unfold in an increasingly complex philanthropic landscape. Donors have become savvier and are holding institutions more accountable. But high-profile missteps with donors or controversial gifts play out with heightened scrutiny in the media and online. Here, four veteran development leaders and CASE volunteers explore why fundraising has gotten more complex today—and how to navigate tricky fundraising scenarios, including proving your case to donors, grappling with donor control, negotiating to reach a “yes,” and walking away from gifts with too many strings.

Food and beverage often take center stage at events that bring education communities together. Advancement professionals are creatively planning wine tastings, ice cream socials, tailgate parties, cooking classes, and food security volunteer opportunities that whet the appetites of the constituents they serve.

After a successful fundraising career at Universidad de los Andes, Carolina Ángel founded Philanthropic Boutique to help her Latin American colleagues gain greater expertise in the advancement arena. She shares her thoughts on philanthropy in her region and the importance of food and culture, especially when it comes to fundraising. 

Summary findings from the 2021-2022 Voluntary Support of Education (VSE) survey are now available. Buy your copy, today.

What does serving hot dogs in a fine dining restaurant have in common with advancement? Both can involve "unreasonable hospitality," a mindset I invite you to adopt as you think through this next season. Encourage your colleagues to join you in a journey that can transform your practice and help you exceed your goals. 

The physical surroundings of where you do your work—whether in the office, at home, in a café, or elsewhere—can impact productivity, performance, and well-being. Learn ways to arrange your surroundings to help you thrive at work.

The CASE Library has compiled a collection of fundraising policies including those on the coordination of fundraising activities, athletics fundraising, and fundraising for student organizations.

Temilade (Temi) Akin-Aina is Associate Vice President, Alumni Relations at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. She joined the Western team in fall 2022, making the move from Concordia University, where she was Associate Director of Alumni Relations. She earned her bachelor's degree in history and political science at McGill University, which is where she began her career as an advancement professional 15 years ago.