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Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the tools and strategies available to advancement professionals. This session explores how institutions are thoughtfully integrating AI into fundraising, research, communications, and operational workflows. Panelists from Skidmore College, Bay Path University and Dartmouth will share practical examples—from organizing internal AI learning communities to evaluating AI for direct fundraising and leveraging AI for marketing, research, and project management. Participants will gain insight into how advancement teams can encourage innovation while maintaining strategic alignment, ethical considerations, and measurable outcomes.
Modality: Virtual

Thursday, April 16, 2026
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Speaker: Lisa Barr
Leveraging DAFs for Planned Giving Success will equip major gift officers, planned giving officers, and other development professionals with knowledge about donor-advised funds (DAFs) so that they can speak with confidence about this gift vehicle. Attendees will learn the benefits of working with DAF donors to increase philanthropic commitments to their charities; how a DAF can accept complex assets; how to use DAFs to bring multiple generations into the philanthropic conversation; how DAFs can be used for estate planning purposes, and more.
Modality: Virtual

Tuesday, April 21, 2026
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Life income gifts are often seen as a trade off, donors commit significant assets, so their annual giving must decline, right? A new first of its kind study from BWF and TIAA Kaspick challenges that assumption, revealing more than 20 years of data showing that life income gifts can increase outright giving while deepening donor relationships. Join this webinar to learn how these gifts strengthen overall fundraising, create mutually beneficial outcomes, and transform stewardship into long term partnership insights that can directly elevate your strategy and energize your work.
Modality: Virtual

Thursday, April 23, 2026
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Alumni donor counts at U.S. higher education institutions have been declining for more than two decades, reflecting a significant shift in alumni attitudes. To better understand these changes, the National Alumni Survey was created and has gathered over 150,000 responses from alumni at more than 60 institutions in the past three years. The resulting data offers valuable insights that can guide decision making and strengthen engagement strategies. This session will explore key trends, outline actions institutions can take now to influence donor behavior, and provide next steps to inform future strategy.
Modality: Virtual

Friday, April 24, 2026
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Gift fees remain one of the most debated and inconsistently applied practices in advancement. In this webinar, advancement leaders Lana Fontenot and Zak Boone share an open, practical look at how to approach gift fees, including whether you should implement them, how to determine the right rate, and communicating its purpose to donors. Attendees will also get a behind the scenes view of how gift fee revenue supports core needs and how policies stay aligned with endowment and investment practices. Join this conversation to gain real world insights that will help you shape a sustainable, well understood gift fee strategy for your institution.
Modality: Virtual

Wednesday, May 6, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Advancement work is unscripted. Donor conversations shift. Colleagues challenge assumptions. Priorities evolve mid-meeting. In this interactive virtual session, participants will experience foundational improvisation principles that strengthen presence, adaptability, and collaboration in advancement settings. Through guided exercises and breakout discussions, we’ll explore how to listen more deeply, respond more effectively, and move conversations forward.
No acting required. Just willingness to practice.
Modality: Virtual

Thursday, May 7, 2026
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Building strong connections between alumni and students is one of the most valuable long term investments an institution can make. Early engagement helps students feel supported and creates lasting bonds, while alumni gain meaningful opportunities to give back and stay connected to campus life. These relationships fuel long term loyalty and strengthen the overall alumni network. This session will explore why alumni student engagement matters and share practical, scalable strategies like amplifying student voices, partnering across campus, and designing impactful programs that don’t strain budgets. Join us to learn how to cultivate a campus culture where these connections thrive and drive lasting institutional success.
Modality: Virtual

Wednesday, May 13, 2026
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Join CASE® for a session exploring how creative storytelling and purposeful design can strengthen connection and reputation across university communities. The teams at Royal College of Art and University of Sheffield will share how imaginative campaigns using approaches like film and digital media can inspire pride, build belonging and engage diverse audiences.
Modality: Virtual

Wednesday, May 20, 2026
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Donor experience is one of the most powerful drivers of long term donor retention and sustainable support. When organizations approach it intentionally, it shapes how donors feel, connect, and see themselves within your community. A strong donor experience begins before the first gift and continues through every meaningful interaction, ultimately influencing whether donors stay, engage more deeply, and grow in their giving. This webinar will show how a thoughtful base level program can become a true pipeline for mid level and major gifts. Join BWF’s Angela Altamore and James Barnard to learn practical strategies for building a donor experience that strengthens relationships and fuels long term growth.
Modality: Virtual

Thursday, May 21, 2026
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

As advancement evolves, so does our understanding of alumni and constituent engagement. With six years of CASE data, institutions are redefining how they measure engagement and connect it to strategic goals.
Modality: Virtual

Wednesday, May 27, 2026
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Athletic milestones like championship runs and nationally recognized seasons create powerful moments of pride that can energize an entire university community. This session explores how advancement and alumni engagement teams can strategically harness that momentum to deepen alumni connections and strengthen institutional affinity. Panelists from universities that recently competed for or won national championships will share how they collaborated across athletics, alumni relations, and advancement to activate supporters and extend the impact beyond the game. You’ll hear insights from Erica Arroyo of the University of Miami and Tiffany Foxworth of the University of South Carolina, with the conversation guided by NC State’s Latasia Priest. Join this dynamic discussion to gain practical strategies your institution can apply when its own big athletic moments arrive.
Modality: Virtual

Thursday, May 28, 2026
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Participate in professional development programs offered to all advancement professionals, from entry-level newcomers to senior executives.

Explore a variety of training on topics such as leadership, personal and professional development, computer skills, administrative skills, safety, and more. Sessions are offered in-person, virtually, and on-demand.

Access a variety of courses, explore best practices, and gain new knowledge.