Wednesday, July 26

• 7-8:30 a.m. — Breakfast at Embassy Suites

• 8-8:45 a.m. — Transportation to Hewson Hall

• 9 a.m. — Welcome

  • Dr. Stuart Bell, President, The University of Alabama

• 9:15 a.m. — Rising Tide Capital Campaign
  

  Nearly every one of us is in some stage of  campaign planning: thinking about, implementing, or recovering from one! How did the University of Alabama prepare and execute its highly successful Rising Tide Capital Campaign? Bob and Allison will share straightforward strategies that may help you in the planning and execution of your next campaign. 

  • Bob Pierce, Vice President for Advancement, The University of Alabama
  • Allison Leitner, Capital Campaign Director, The University of Alabama

• 10 a.m. — Involving Faculty in Fundraising
  

  Research demonstrates that deepening the involvement of the faculty and academic leadership in engagement and fundraising efforts is an important step in increasing an institution’s fundraising capacity. This session will give you an insight into redirecting the focus of a program, how relationships can flourish, and what to look for in those faculty partners. 

  • Dr. Theresa Welbourne, Executive Director, Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute; Will and Maggie Brooke Endowed Professor in Entrepreneurship, Culverhouse College of Business
  • Nick Foster, Executive Director of Development, Culverhouse College of Business

• 10:45 a.m. — Break

• 11 a.m. — The Transformative Power of Experience: Building & Funding Experiential Learning
  

  High-quality experiences deepen students’ learning and has the potential to change their lives. Experiential learning trips match alumni interests and passions to the needs of specific student populations, unlocking valuable resources to build and fund unique learning opportunities. 

  • Quoc Hoang, Director for Experiential Learning, Culverhouse College of Business

• Noon — Lunch

• 1 p.m.  — Culverhouse College of Business tour and group picture

• 2–2:45 p.m. — Breakout 1

  • Session 1 (Development Focus) – Defusing Objections
    This session will explore how to diffuse common fundraising objections, give fundraisers the tools to feel confident handling objections and provide a takeaway that can be used to hone skills.
  • Session 2 (Advancement Focus) – Cultivating the Next Gift
    Proper stewardship of major gifts often leads to continued giving. We will discuss best practices and engagement opportunities for donors to see the impact of their giving.
  • Session 3 (Marketing Focus) – The Power of Podcasting
    The power of audio narratives for alumni engagement, brand building and amplifying the voice of college leadership. Co-presentation with Culverhouse marcomm staff and Walton’s Jerra Toms, with open conversation and Q&A.

• 2:50–3:35 p.m. — Breakout 2

  • Session 1 (Development Focus) – What Gets Measured Gets Done
    So, what do you measure? How do you define success? Are metrics a buzzword that makes most fundraisers nervous and leaves most managers confused?
  • Session 2 (Advancement Focus) – Annual Giving
    Best practices for engaging all generations: What types of solicitations are most appealing? How do you tailor these to trends among different generations (recent grad, 40s, 60+): brick and mortar vs. giving to specific areas vs. general fund? What types of city events work and how to spread the word?
  • Session 3 (Marketing Focus) – Cutting Through the Noise
    Best practices in how to engage and communicate with students and/or alumni to boost event and program participation, address knowledge gaps, and improve senses of community. A focus on new methodologies and technologies that have broad applications will be of emphasis during this conversation.

• 3:40–4:25 p.m. — Breakout 3

  • Session 1 (Development Focus) – Qualification
    One of the most common hurdles fundraisers face is engaging and qualifying new prospects. Who are you trying to engage? What’s working for you? Share your thoughts and insight with the group.
  • Session 2 (Advancement Focus) – Recognizing and Celebrating Donors and Alumni
    Alumni Awards, Hall of Fames, Lecture series…the list goes on. There are so many wonderful opportunities to recognize and celebrate our successful alumni and loyal donors. We will discuss what has worked and what hasn’t, best practices and why we do this.
  • Session 3 (Marketing Focus) – The Bottom Line
    What are some methodologies our offices are following that have led to increased giving? How can we become leaders — or effective partners — in developing and deploying inspiring and exciting fundraising campaigns? Bring your knowledge and examples of collateral to this roundtable discussion.

• 4:30 p.m. — Dismiss for free time (buses will return to Embassy Suites)

• 6 p.m. — Dinner and drinks at The District Room (0.4 mile walk from the Embassy Suites