Discuss with your peers the best practices for combining virtual and traditional relationship building strategies.
Overview
During the pandemic, many institutions had a banner fiscal year because of an unanticipated amount of major gifts. This has proven to advancement leaders that the major gift officer role can be done successfully remotely. As a result, now that institutions are returning to in-person work, albeit with greater flexibility than before, it is time to apply the best of what was learned from virtual engagement work and incorporate it into the traditional model – redefining the role of the major gift officer.
Join us online to discuss how to make smart choices related to how you build relationships with your major donors using a combination of traditional and virtual strategies. This training will be led by Rebekkah Brown, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at Muhlenberg College and P. Kevin Williamson, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Major Gifts and Constituent Giving at North Carolina A&T. You will engage in conversations with your peers on how:
- Discovery work has changed by becoming more efficient
- Closing and documenting gifts are being done electronically
- Travel schedules can be made more strategic
Who Should Attend
This is a discussion-based event that will require all participants to share their insights and lessons learned. If you are a major gifts professional or manage a team of major gift officers, join us and come prepared to share your solutions, ideas, and perspectives.
The Academic Impressions Online Learning Experience
Intentionally Designed
Online Learning
Our virtual trainings go far beyond just replicating PowerPoint presentations online: these experiences are intentionally designed to give you the kind of robust and dynamic learning experience you’ve come to expect from Academic Impressions. These trainings provide you with an active learning environment and an online space where you can explore ideas, get inspired by what your peers are doing, and understand the range of possibilities around a certain topic. You will leave these sessions with practical solutions that you can take back to your team or task force.
What you will get:
- A dynamic, interactive, and high-touch virtual learning experience designed to engage and set you up for growth
- Seamless online face-time, networking, group work, and Q&A opportunities from the comfort of your own workspace
- Practical takeaways and hands-on knowledge
- Guidance from vetted subject matter experts
- Unlimited access to all recorded online sessions
AGENDA
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time
During this three-hour virtual training, you will discuss the following:
- Discovery work
Discovery work has never been done virtually before the pandemic; in fact, it was widely considered taboo even to try it. Yet, shops were forced into virtual discovery work that unexpectedly led to success at many institutions. Learn what virtual discovery work practices shops are keeping—and discarding—as the major gift officer role moves into a new hybrid workforce model. - Closing and documenting gifts
Finalizing a major gift in person has always been the crowning moment that showcases the alignment of interests between the major donor and the institution. Most advancement shops had never imagined this work could be done virtually. However, some institutions over the past 18 months have closed the largest gifts in their histories, virtually. Learn from your peers how other institutions are approaching this practice. In what circumstances should closing and documenting gifts remain virtual, and when should it be in person? - Travel schedules
Face-to-face, in-person meetings with major donors was a staple of the major gift officer role. That is no longer the case. Knowing that not every meeting needs to be face-to-face to be successful anymore, you will discuss how major gift officer travel schedules can be more strategic with your peers.
SPEAKERS
Rebekkah Brown
Vice President for Advancement, Muhlenberg College
In her current role at Muhlenberg, Rebekkah oversees the entire advancement operation, including alumni affairs; annual giving; leadership gifts; corporate and foundation relations; planned giving; advancement services; donor relations, advancement communications; special projects; and the career center. She manages a team of 47 professionals, and serves as a member of the President’s Senior Staff, responsible for advising and working with the president on the full spectrum of institutional issues.
P. Kevin Williamson
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Major Gifts and Constituent Giving, North Carolina A&T
In his current role at NC Agricultural & Technical State University, P. Kevin oversees the Major Gifts Team and works to support other constituencies around campus to include academic areas like colleges and nonacademic areas such as centers of excellence, the library, and the band. He has a background in the management of major gifts, annual giving, leadership annual giving, planned giving, parent & family giving and prospect management & research.