Session 1 | Wednesday | 1:45–2:45 p.m.
Leading Inclusive, Human-Centered Teams | Ocean Room
Angie Barker Jackson, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Berkeley School of Theology
How does a leader effectively integrate siloed departments and diverse staff into a single team with shared hopes and goals? Admittedly, the challenges for those serving as division heads over multiple departments are many and varied, ranging from sheer work volume to people management. This workshop will explore the topic of team leadership from the perspective of a division head who seeks to create a team culture characterized by trust and unity. Specifically, this session will offer approaches to leading people and conducting meetings that are not simply informational but are both formational and transformational. Drawing on years of experience in pastoral ministry and higher education, the presenter will share strategies and practices for not only getting the work done but also holding space for people to be human while developing strengths and increasing leadership capacity.
Reimagining Institutional Stewardship and Stakeholder Partnerships: Pastoral Convening and Friend Raising While Building a Care-Full Community | Beach Room
Brian Smith, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Chicago Theological Seminary
This workshop focuses upon the intersection of faith leadership engagement, community partnerships, and institutional stewardship. Several case studies will be presented to demonstrate how seminaries can leverage their unique standing as institutions of faith while learning how to bring diverse partners together. Workshop participants will review video documentaries and receive lecture-based testimony followed by a robust discussion of innovative methods that seminary institutions can use to improve church relations and engagement. We will expound upon the idea of genuine Friend Raising as a precursor and sustainable partner with fundraising. The workshop encourages seminary leaders to leverage their collective strengths as an institution while building meaningful relations with other institutions of faith. We will also explore how missional services and relational investments attract the foundation community.
Best Practices and Approaches to Planned Giving | Harbor Room
Richard Thompson, Director of Advancement, Regent College
Best practices and approaches to planned giving? How about any practices and approaches?! This workshop aims to facilitate a conversation with participants about what their institutions are doing in the world of planned giving. Thompson will offer insight and practical suggestions from his experience of creating a planned giving program for a small-shop development office. He believes that every organization—no matter how small or under-resourced—can and should do something, anything, in the area of planned giving.
Revitalizing Your Annual Fund | Lagoon Room
Robin Little, Senior Director of Advancement, Nashotah House
In this workshop, we will consider strategies to pull your annual fund out of the gutter. We will also explore what an annual fund plan consists of and discuss a fundraising blitz game plan for a quick cash infusion. We will review an annual plan, some basic donor communications tips, and go into detail on how to run a 24-hour blitz.
Session 2 | Thursday | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Transforming Your Major Gifts Program: Data-Driven Strategies and Proven Cultivation Tools | Ocean Room
Lauren Yamaoka, Senior Vice President of Fuller Foundation
Discover how The Fuller Foundation, the fundraising arm of Fuller Theological Seminary, has revolutionized its major gifts program. In June 2023, Fuller completed a successful $150M campaign, expanding our fundraising capacity from approximately $17M annually pre-campaign to $26M during the campaign period. We maintained $22M in our first year post-campaign, and we’ve significantly increased our ability to secure gifts of $50,000+ by 20% compared to the pre-campaign period. We’ll share transferrable insights on how we harness data to inform cultivation and engagement strategies, and how we are training and empowering new frontline gift officers for continued success. Join us to elevate your fundraising efforts and achieve transformative results.
Beyond Boundaries: Crafting Impactful Virtual and Hybrid Events | Beach Room
David Riddell, Senior Director of Advancement and Communications, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School
In today’s digital age, virtual and hybrid events have become essential tools for expanding reach and fostering engagement. This hands-on session will explore the transformative potential of these events, focusing on how to break geographical barriers and build meaningful connections with diverse audiences. Participants will learn how to create seamless, engaging experiences for both in-person and online attendees, leveraging key tools and platforms for effective event execution. Additionally, the session will cover strategies for measuring success through engagement metrics and ROI, helping organizations maximize their impacts. Expect practical insights and actionable strategies designed to elevate your online presence and event outcomes, ultimately driving deeper connections and more successful fundraising efforts.
Doing More with Less: Using Technology to Have Your Fundraising Reach Further | Harbor Room
Jessica Cloud, Vice President of Advancement, Starr King School for the Ministry
In an era of limited resources and high expectations, development officers in theological schools are challenged to achieve ambitious fundraising goals efficiently. This workshop provides practical strategies for using technology to expand your reach and streamline efforts, enabling you to “do more with less.” Learn how to harness virtual tools for donor engagement, optimize your database for project management, and implement efficient scheduling and content creation tactics. Designed for development professionals, this session offers actionable insights to enhance efficiency, build stronger donor relationships, and strategically manage your workload for greater impact.
Content Creation by the Community for the Community | Lagoon Room
Rebecca Taylor, Executive Director of Enrollment Marketing, Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan University
Maria Gilluly, Executive Assistant to the Vice President and Dean, Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan University
Content creation can feel endless, especially for small advancement teams or solo marketers. But what if everyone connected to your institution became a storyteller? This workshop explores how to transform content creation into a community-wide effort. Learn practical ways to inspire students, alums, faculty, and staff to actively share your institution’s stories.
We’ll answer questions like:
• How can I motivate students, alumni, faculty, and staff to participate in content creation?
• What simple communication strategies can I use to inspire participation without overwhelming people?
• How can automation tools streamline content gathering and sharing?
• What are the best ways to collect and repurpose content from multiple sources?
Ideal for marketing and communication professionals at small institutions, this workshop reimagines content creation as a powerful, collective movement.
