20 Feb 2024
20 Feb 2024

2024 ATS Development and Institutional Advancement Program Conference

Price: TBD
  • Price: $300.00

Overview

By registration; This year’s Development and Institutional Advancement Program conference—Back to Basics: Best Practices in Changing Times—invites development officers and communications personnel from across the ATS membership to engage with questions and conversations around the changing realities of best practices as the work we do and the tools we use to do it continue to evolve.

We invite you to lean into this opportunity for encouragement and learning together, growing your skills and deepening the community connections that can help you thrive in your work.

Past Attendee Testimonials
“Great lectures and great interactive sessions”

“The conference sparked new ideas and ways to further our work that we had not considered.”

“This event is incredible for meeting and connecting with peers. Over and over, I would come just for this.”

“I think it’s as helpful to see reflected what you are doing well and acting as a mentor to others with obstacles, as it is to learn from more experienced fundraisers. Everyone can learn something.”

Agenda
Conference Goals
  1. To connect meaningfully with colleagues doing similar work, building a base of support for the practical aspects of our work
  2. To explore questions about the changing realities around best practices in advancement and how that impacts us
  3. To learn from the experiences of peers at other theological schools as we explore shared challenges and issues of common concern
  4. To acquaint new development and communication personnel with some of the resources and points of connection available to them through ATS
  5. To create space for rest, connection and renewal apart from the demands of daily work
Tuesday, February 20

4:30 p.m.     
Registration opens | Lyric Foyer

5:30 p.m.     
Welcome Reception | Lyric Foyer

6:30 p.m.
Opening Dinner | Lyric Ballroom B & D

Wednesday, February 21    

8:45 a.m.     
Morning Meditation | Lyric Ballroom A & C
Richard Thompson, Director of Advancement, Regent College

9:00 a.m.    
Welcome and Introductions | Lyric Ballroom A & C
John Everett, Director of Institutional Advancement, Hood Theological Seminary; Chair, DIAP Steering Committee
Deborah Shadd, Director of Leadership Development, The Association of Theological Schools

On Shifting Ground: The Changing Landscape of Faith and Giving and the Call to Reimagine for the Sake of a Flourishing Future | Lyric Ballroom A & C
Elizabeth Lynn, Special Projects Director, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving

10:30 a.m.     
Break | Lyric Foyer

11:00 a.m.   
Shop Talk: A Lesson Learned | Lyric Ballroom A & C
Rob Schoonover, Associate Director of Annual Giving, Columbia Theological Seminary

How to Make Your Ask Easy and Get What You Want | Lyric Ballroom A & C
Laura Fredricks, Founder and CEO, THE ASK

12:30 p.m.   
Lunch | Lyric Ballroom B & D

1:45 p.m.   
Workshop Session 1

Inspiring Major Gift Support in Changing and Challenging Times | Edison I & A
Jessica Spink, Director of Development, Harvard University Divinity School

Alumni Relations Best Practices: Key Structures and Process of an Effective Alumni Relations Program | Edison II
Kevin Kirk, Senior Vice President of External Relations, Tyndale Seminary of Tyndale University

Building Relationships with Churches in a Digital Age | Edison III
Jack Bodenhamer, Assistant Dean of External Affairs, George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University

Strategies and Approaches to Effective Collaboration in Institutional Advancement | McGavock
Brian Gardner, Vice President of Advancement, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

2:45 p.m.     
Break | Lyric Foyer

3:00 p.m.     
Roundtable Session 1

Best Practices for Annual Giving | Edison I & A
John Everett, Director of Institutional Advancement, Hood Theological Seminary
Stephanie Moore, Director of Development, McCormick Theological Seminary

Best Practices for Planned Giving | Edison II
Kitty Norton, Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations, Vanderbilt University Divinity School
Richard Thompson, Director of Advancement, Regent College

Best Practices in Communications | Edison III
Debora de Paula Hoyle, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Chad Schwickerath, Vice President for Advancement, Chicago Theological Seminary

Best Practices in Working with Your CFO | McGavock Room
Tricia Fraser, Vice President of Finance & Administration, Saint John’s Seminary
Tomasz Kierul, Vice President of Mission Advancement, Saint John’s Seminary

4:00 p.m.
Break

6:00 p.m.
Dinner | Lyric Ballroom B & D

Thursday, February 22

8:45 a.m.     
Morning Meditation | Lyric Ballroom A & C
Christopher Donald, University Chaplain and Director of Religious Life, Vanderbilt University

9:00 a.m.     
Shop Talk: A Lesson Learned | Lyric Ballroom A & C
Courtney Wiley-Harris, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School

A Beautiful Mess: Fundraising Ministry and Meaning in Complex Times | Lyric Ballroom A & C
Aimée Laramore, Philanthropic Strategist and Lead Consultant, ALlyd Solutions; Director of Learning Services, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy

10:30 a.m.     
Break | Lyric Foyer

11:00 a.m.   
Workshop Session 2

Inspiring Major Gift Support in Changing and Challenging Times | Edison I & A
Jessica Spink, Director of Development, Harvard University Divinity School

Alumni Relations Best Practices: Key Structures and Process of an Effective Alumni Relations Program | Edison II
Kevin Kirk, Senior Vice President of External Relations, Tyndale Seminary of Tyndale University

Building Relationships with Churches in a Digital Age | Edison III
Jack Bodenhamer, Assistant Dean of External Affairs, George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University

Strategies and Approaches to Effective Collaboration in Institutional Advancement | McGavock
Brian Gardner, Vice President of Advancement, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

12:00 p.m.   
Lunch | Lyric Ballroom B & D

1:15 p.m.   
Roundtable Session 2

Best Practices for Annual Giving | Edison I & A
John Everett, Director of Institutional Advancement, Hood Theological Seminary
Stephanie Moore, Director of Development, McCormick Theological Seminary

Best Practices for Planned Giving | Edison II
Kitty Norton, Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations, Vanderbilt University Divinity School
Richard Thompson, Director of Advancement, Regent College

Best Practices in Communications | Edison III
Debora de Paula Hoyle, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Chad Schwickerath, Vice President for Advancement, Chicago Theological Seminary

Best Practices in Working with Your CFO | McGavock
Tricia Fraser, Vice President of Finance and Administration, Saint John’s Seminary
Tomasz Kierul, Vice President of Mission Advancement, Saint John’s Seminary

2:15 p.m.
Break | Lyric Foyer

2:30 p.m.
Shop Talk: A Lesson Learned | Lyric Ballroom A & C
Rachel Kuhn, Director of Development, Catholic Theological Union

Going "Back to Basics" in the Midst of Change – A Panel Discussion | Lyric Ballroom A & C
Steering Committee

3:45 p.m.
Closing Session | Lyric Ballroom A & C

4:00 p.m.
Adjournment | Lyric Ballroom A & C

 

Workshops
SESSION 1: Wednesday, February 21, 1:45 p.m.
SESSION 2: Thursday, February 22, 11 a.m.

Edison I & A
Inspiring Major Gift Support in Changing and Challenging Times 
Jessica Spink, Director of Development, Harvard University Divinity School
The pace of change in our world is break-neck, from advances in medicine and technologies like artificial intelligence to the speed of the news cycle in the US. At the same time, atrocities across the globe have brought tensions to new highs that are evident on the campuses of colleges, universities, and other institutes of learning. The ensuing uncertainty is layered on top of longer-term evolutions and trends in higher education and fundraising such as changing donor demographics, evolving technology and the use of data, and increasing scrutiny on the value of higher education. Join a participatory conversation focused on how we can most effectively operate amid challenges outside our control and embrace changes within our control to inspire major gift support at our institutions.

Edison II
Alumni Relations Best Practices: Key Structures and Process of an Effective Alumni Relations Program
Kevin Kirk, Senior Vice President of External Relations, Tyndale Seminary of Tyndale University
An effective alumni relations strategy will assist in building and protecting your institution’s reputation and develop the resources it needs to thrive. For some, reading listservs, perusing the latest research, and attending conferences can leave us asking questions: Where do I begin? How can I improve on what we are doing? This workshop will explore the most important things to keep top of mind. We will look at the key structures that build the foundation of an effective alumni program as well as the processes needed to engage alumni effectively.

Edison III
Building Relationships with Churches in a Digital Age
Jack Bodenhamer, Assistant Dean of External Affairs, George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University
This workshop will explore how to better engage churches and grow the school’s resources and reach. The discussion will center around the use of digital tools to engage churches, relational work to a broader constituency, and what connections might be made in the modern era.

McGavock
Strategies and Approaches to Effective Collaboration in Institutional Advancement
Brian Gardner, Vice President of Advancement, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Stakeholder collaboration is critical to successful institutional advancement initiatives. Alumni, donors, board members, faculty, administrators, staff, and ministries offer insight in institutional planning, influence in stakeholder expansion, and financial investment in initiatives. Learn the impact of Gordon-Conwell and other institutions’ collaborations with stakeholders in their respective advancement initiatives and participate in discussions about lessons learned and how impact from collaboration might be increased.

Accommodations

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Presenters
Jack Bodenhamer

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Jack Bodenhamer

Jack Bodenhamer serves as assistant dean of external affairs at George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University. He joined the Truett staff in August 2017, and he assists students, alumni, and friends in discerning their call to ministry and helping them discover ways to serve the church. Previously, he served as the pastor at First Baptist Church Elm Mott, and he has served in interim roles throughout central Texas. Bodenhamer received his MDiv from Logsdon Seminary of Logsdon School of Theology of Hardin-Simmons University and his DMin from George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University.

Laura Fredricks

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Laura Fredricks

Laura Fredricks, JD trains and coaches individuals, businesses, and nonprofits on How to ASK. She has raised more than $1 billion for her clients and comes from successful careers in industries known for making the toughest and biggest asks—law and philanthropy. Fredricks's 5 Laws on Asking and her prior six books have helped hundreds of global executives, industry trailblazers, accountants, marketing and communication leaders, boards, fundraisers, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and everyday people get their best professional and personal life possible, just by asking. Her most recent book Hard Asks Made Easy: How to Get Exactly What You Want, is Amazon's #1 for Business Mentoring and Coaching, #5 Personal Transformation, and #17 of all Self-Help books. Her book was named "One of the Top 15 Business Books for 2023." She is the recipient of the Ralph E. Chamberlain Award for extraordinary leadership in the field of fundraising and lifetime of service to the profession, and the New York Nonprofit Network's 50 Over 50 Award for excellence in media and philanthropy. Since 2005, Fredricks has been teaching "The Art of the Ask: Effective Communications and Negotiation Strategies" at New York University School of Professional Studies.

Brian Gardner

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Brian Gardner

Brian Gardner serves as vice president of advancement at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is an institutional advancement executive and consultant and, for 25 years, he has played key roles in campaigns that have secured more than $500 million in gifts and grants. Gardner has also consulted, spoken, and published on matters of institutional advancement and fundraising campaigns. He earned his PhD in higher education from Loyola University Chicago and his MBA from Seattle Pacific University.

 

Kevin Kirk

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Kevin Kirk

Kevin Kirk serves in dual roles as senior vice president, external relations at Tyndale University and as president of The Tyndale Foundation, both located in Toronto, Ontario. He has spent 31 years working in the higher education environment. He has worked at three institutions and served on boards for various organizations related to the private post-secondary sector. Kirk has also participated on a number of committees, led collaborative marketing and enrollment projects, and has served in consulting roles with a variety of undergraduate and graduate institutions. He has developed expertise in the areas of strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, constituent relations, recruitment, admissions, student services, and financial aid.

 

Aimée Laramore

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Aimée Laramore

Aimée Laramore joined the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy as director of learning services in May 2022, after having served at the intersection of faith, giving, and culture in diverse development, leadership, and strategy roles. Specializing in facilitation and strategic planning, she has an astute understanding of the role that learning and leadership styles, demographic diversity, and theology play in philanthropic infrastructure. She is passionate about fundraising as ministry and the importance of values-based development and equitable fundraising practices. Her experience across seminary advancement, higher education, nonprofit organizations, and faith-based institutions offers a series of lessons to be learned for governance, fundraising, and the undeniable impact of vision alignment for operational excellence. She finds joy as a practitioner, teaching fundraising and governance at the University of Notre Dame.

 

Elizabeth Lynn

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Elizabeth Lynn

Elizabeth Lynn is currently leading a set of special projects for Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, focused on deepening conversation about the changing landscape of faith, philanthropy, and community. She has founded and led several programs designed to expand moral imagination for civic engagement, including the Center for Civic Reflection and Valparaiso University's Institute for Leadership and Service. Through her writings and creative leadership, she has also contributed to contemporary understandings of philanthropy and the humanities in American life. Lynn co-authors a weekly blog, Digging a Deeper Well, for the Ministry Collaborative with her husband, Mark Ramsey.

Jessica Spink

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Jessica Spink

Jessica Spink has served as director of development at Harvard Divinity School (HDS) since March 2023. In her role, she is responsible for shaping fundraising plans and raising major philanthropic gifts in support of the school's multi-religious mission. Before coming to HDS, she spent the previous 17 years in a variety of development and alumni affairs roles at Harvard University, including in the University Development Office, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Development unit, and the Office of the Vice President. Spink has a wealth of experience in higher education fundraising, including developing and executing principal and major gift donor strategies; creating academic content for donor engagement; and working with faculty, deans, and university leaders such as presidents and provosts.

Other

Dress is business casual.

Event Contact
Saren Williams

 

 

 

 

 

Date & Time
Tue, Feb 20, 2024 , 4:30 p.m. CT —
Thu, Feb 22, 2024 , 4:00 p.m. CT

Location
Hutton Hotel | Nashville, TN

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