Day 2: Morning Workshop — Increasing Donor Retention Through Behavior-Based Donor Relations

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Let’s face it - the way we’ve always done it is fading into the background as new efforts emerge. But some shops are still stuck in traditional thanking methods, usually based on gift amounts, to define their communication and recognition efforts. It’s 7 times cheaper to retain the donors you have than to acquire new ones. The reality is, we have finite resources—both with our staff and budgets—and we must strategize ways to satiate many donors with different interests and needs. By developing a program based on donor behaviors, in lieu of arbitrary giving amounts, we can ensure we are communicating gratitude and impact to donors at all levels of giving.

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During this half-day workshop, you will learn:

• How to identify priority donor behaviors you need to reinforce

• How to craft personal communications for these groups

• Strategy development to increase donor retention

• Why behavior-based practices are in alignment with core principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion
   

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Day 2: Afternoon Workshop — Strategic Fund Management: Compliance, Utilization and Stewardship

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The second half of the day is our fund management workshop. We'll focus on the principles of fund compliance, financial utilization and stewardship. Getting the gift in the door is only half of our job in fundraising. From gift agreement all the way through reporting impact, our jobs in donor relations begin with the long-term process of ensuring the funds are spent to maximum capacity in accordance with donor intent, and reported on to the donors. This dedicated workshop will focus on setting the stage with effective and sustainable gift agreements, fund audits and compliance best practices, donor-centered stewardship activities, and much more. We'll explore this complex issue while identifying key partners and data needs. This half-day workshop is for both new and experienced development professionals seeking a deeper understanding of fund management and the role donor relations plays in this crucial space.

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During this half-day workshop, you will learn: 

• How to craft effective and sustainable gift agreements

• Fund audit and compliance best practices

• Collaboration with institutional partners on fund management

• Donor-centered stewardship activities

• Reporting strategies and best practices

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Day 3: Morning Workshop — Maximizing Impact with Meaningful Purpose Driven Events

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Our events now and in the future have been forever changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. After a year and a half (or more!) without in-person gatherings, our primary way of gathering has changed. Today's meaningful experiences are designed with purpose and donor interests in mind, not just gathering wealthy donors in a room without a thread of connectedness beyond the organization and their giving. We'll look at the stories our events are telling—to both attendees and non-attendees—and explore current societal norms around donor events.

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During this half-day workshop, you will learn: 

• How to identify and leverage an event's purpose to determine audience, budget, and format

• Effective ways to bring narratives to life at your events through proven storytelling techniques and frameworks

• How to engage your audience through virtual events

• Meaningful metrics to help you evaluate your success and ROI

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CFRE Eligibility: This conference has been approved for 15 total CFRE points in Category 1.B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification. ​