The Leading Edge of Philanthropy Conference

Monday, January 13, 2025

Day 1: Tuesday, January 14, 2025

• 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

  2024 in Review & Trends

  A shifting landscape. Dynamic times. Moments of innovation. Each of these terms can be used to describe the philanthropic environment at this moment. Making heads or tails of superfluous, often competing information about philanthropy can be challenging. BWF CEO Josh Birkholz will share his observations, make predictions, and discuss the trends and influences shaping our industry.

  Speaker: Josh Birkholz, BWF

• 10:45 – 11:45 a.m.

  Maintaining Comprehensive Campaign Momentum

  Join us for an insightful session focused on maintaining campaign momentum with a comprehensive, long-term approach. In this session, we will explore the essential strategies that nonprofit leaders should be thinking about to ensure sustained success throughout their campaign lifecycle. From enhancing donor engagement to navigating leadership challenges, this session will provide actionable insights on how to think bigger, adapt to changing conditions, and keep your campaign moving forward. This focused discussion is designed to help you take immediate steps toward building a transformational, lasting impact for your organization. This session will delve into:

  • Transformational nature of events
  • Long-term benefits of investing in pipeline and annual giving
  • Using campaign priorities to think bigger
  • Comprehensive alignment across institutions

  Speaker: Mark Marshall, BWF; Michelle Janssen, Wabash College 

   

• 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

  Harnessing Business Intelligence and AI/Analytics for Strategic Decision-Making

  In the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education fundraising, the ability to leverage data for strategic decision-making has never been more critical. This session will delve into how advanced business intelligence (BI) and artificial intelligence (AI) tools can be transformative, turning raw data into actionable insights that drive fundraising success. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to:

  • Utilize data to shape fundraising strategies and optimize campaign outcomes.
  • Implement predictive analytics to identify donor trends and uncover new opportunities.
  • Integrate business intelligence platforms for real-time reporting and performance monitoring.
  • Differentiate between BI and AI, empowering Chief Development Officers (CDOs) to make informed decisions.
  • Create cohesive strategies for integrating and leveraging data across multiple divisions.

  This session will also include a “show and tell” segment, where attendees can explore real-world success stories from institutions that have greatly boosted their fundraising efforts through analytics. Join us to discover best practices for embedding data-driven decision-making into your fundraising strategy and learn how to harness the power of modern analytics tools to stay ahead in a competitive environment.

  Speakers: Jason Boley, BWF; Jeff Hilperts, BWF

• 2:45 – 3:45 p.m.

  Navigating Leadership Transitions During Campaigns: Strategies for Continuity and Success

  With the average tenure of a university president now three years shorter than the typical campaign, a leadership change during your campaign is almost inevitable. However, these transitions, while potentially disruptive, can be managed effectively to ensure continuity and success. In this session, we will explore proven strategies for maintaining campaign momentum during a presidential transition. Topics will include the critical importance of aligning the campaign with strategic plans, clarifying the roles and expectations for new leaders, and finding opportunities to infuse the campaign with fresh strategic initiatives that reflect the new leader’s vision. We’ll also discuss when it might be necessary to refocus or even reimagine the campaign’s direction. Attendees will leave with practical insights and tools to navigate leadership transitions smoothly, ensuring that their campaigns remain robust and aligned with institutional goals, regardless of who holds the presidential office.

  Speakers: Jeff Hilperts, BWF; Telly McGaha, Wichita State University

• 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.

  What’s the difference between Donor Relations & Donor Experience? And where is it going?

  This session will demystify the difference between Donor Relations(DR) and Donor Experience(DX). We’ll talk about how DR/DX are being used today and explore how they should be used going forward to raise the bar on donor retention. We’ll also share the top insider information your DR pros want you to know but may be hesitant to tell you. Attendee will walk away from this session inspired to reimagine and elevate your DR/DX efforts.

  Speaker: Bob Guittard, BWF

Day 2: Wednesday, January 15, 2025

• 8:45 – 9:45 a.m.

  Reversing Donor Decline: Strategies for Long-Term Growth

  In a rapidly changing philanthropic landscape, reversing the decline in donor counts is not just possible—it’s essential for sustaining long-term impact. This session will explore the critical importance of developing a broad donor base to ensure the health of your fundraising program today and for years to come. Drawing on comprehensive data, including a recent BWF study that highlights the lifetime giving potential of base-level donors, we will demonstrate how investment in a broad donor base leads to significant long-term growth.

  We will delve into the pipeline effect, showcasing how a strategic focus beyond immediate campaigns can set the stage for future success. The session will also address the balance between short-term tactics and long-term strategy, providing insights on achieving both net donor growth and net revenue growth. Attendees will gain practical advice on goal setting, realistic ROI for new donor acquisition and reactivation, and learn how cause-based nonprofits and higher education institutions differ in their approach to broad-base investment.

  Join us as we outline specific strategies tailored to diverse audience types, including non-alumni groups, to achieve sustainable donor growth. This presentation is designed for fundraising professionals looking to enhance their engagement-first giving programs and create lasting relationships with donors.

  Speakers: Bob Guittard, BWF; Trishana Bowden, George Mason University; Daniel Burgner, The George Washington University 

   

• 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.

  Blueprints for Success: Case Studies Across the Industry

  Dive into a comprehensive exploration of transformative strategies and innovations. This session will present detailed case studies on the following critical topics:

  • System Selections: Learn how organizations successfully navigated the complexities of choosing and implementing new systems, ensuring alignment with their strategic goals and operational needs.
  • Due Diligence and Data Governance: Discover the thorough processes, evaluations, and data governance frameworks that underpinned successful initiatives, ensuring informed decision-making, risk mitigation, and the responsible management of data assets.
  • Data Strategy and Assessment: Understand how organizations conducted comprehensive data assessments and developed strategic plans to harness data for better decision-making, operational efficiency, and long-term organizational support.

  Join us for an engaging and insightful session that will provide you with actionable knowledge and practical examples to apply within your own organization. Whether you are looking to upgrade your systems, implement rigorous due diligence and data governance practices, or leverage data-driven assessments and strategies, this session offers valuable lessons from across the industry.

  Speaker: Jason Boley, BWF, Katrina Klaproth, BWF

• 12:45 – 1:45 p.m.

  Adapting to Change: Fundraising Opportunities Amid Higher Ed Pressures

  Mark Marshall will lead a discussion on five key challenges shaping the future of higher education and influencing the landscape of higher education fundraising over the next five years. The conversation will delve into critical issues such as changing perceptions of the value of higher education in this politically charged environment, evolving financial models, demographic shifts, the growing influence of athletics and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), and the impending retirement wave of faculty and senior leaders. Together, we’ll explore how these challenges are interconnected, and the strategies institutions employ to navigate them while enhancing their fundraising efforts.

  Speakers: Mark Marshall, BWF

• 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

  Never Stop Growing: Strategies for Fundraising Beyond Campaigns Cycles

  Gone are the days of post-campaign slumps. Our universities need continued fundraising growth in between campaigns. The most successful universities are finding creative, but authentic ways to manufacture momentum while also investing in infrastructure to drive long-term growth of the organization. Whether it is advancement-specific strategic plans, technology upgrades, or targeted fundraising campaigns, advancement shops are proving that there are no days off! This session will explore those strategies and how the best shops utilize them to keep their foot on the gas.

  Speaker: Jeff Hilperts, BWF; Keith Mahlum, South Dakota State University Foundation

2025 Speakers

	Josh Birkholz, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Owner
	Jason Boley, Executive Vice President, Technology and Operations
	Trishana Bowden, George Mason University, Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations and President of the George Mason University Foundation Trishana Bowden leads the philanthropic enterprise for George Mason University, Virginia’s largest and most diverse public higher education institution. With more than two decades of fundraising and engagement experience, Trishana provides the strategic vision for the university’s comprehensive advancement program, including annual giving, major and leadership giving, corporate and foundation relations, planned giving, alumni relations, research and prospect management, development services, and donor cultivation and stewardship. Last year, Trishana marshalled George Mason’s philanthropic and volunteer communities for the launch of the university’s historic $1billion campaign — Mason Now: Power the Possible. The campaign, which focuses on student success, research, innovation, community and stewardship, is already breaking records, with 139 million raised in its first public year, the highest fundraising year recorded in the university’s history.
	Daniel Burgner, The George Washington University, Assistant Vice President, Annual Giving In his role as Assistant Vice President of Annual Giving, Daniel oversees central and unit-based annual giving efforts, donor pipeline development, and leadership annual giving programming. A recognized industry leader with over 15 years of experience, Daniel drives innovative strategies that leverage data-driven segmentation, digital engagement, and storytelling to grow donor support across GW’s largest donor populations. Under his leadership, GW has seen significant growth in donor retention and acquisition, with an impactful increase in annual giving revenue.
	Bob Guittard, Executive Vice President, Engagement and Donor Experience
	Jeff Hilperts, Executive Vice President, Campaigns and Fundraising Strategy
	Michelle Janssen , Wabash College, Dean for College Advancement Michelle L. Janssen is the Dean for College Advancement at Wabash College. She is a seasoned fundraising professional specializing in donor relations, campaign strategy, and major gift fundraising. With expertise in planning and executing successful fundraising campaigns, Michelle is dedicated to advancing nonprofit missions through strategic, donor-centric approaches that foster long-term sustainability. .
	Katrina Klaproth, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner
	Keith Mahlum, South Dakota State University Foundation, Vice President for Development Keith Mahlum has served as the Vice President for Development for the SDSU Foundation since 2008. He previously served as the Assistant Athletic Director for the SDSU Athletic Department. He earned his bachelor of science degree in health, physical education and recreation/sports management from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1991. He earned his master’s in health, physical education and recreation/athletic administration from SDSU in 1993.
	Mark Marshall, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Owner
	Telly McGaha, Wichita State University, President and CEO, Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement Telly McGaha joined the Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement in 2024 as president and CEO. In this role, he oversees a team of more than 50 employees dedicated to advancing Wichita State’s mission by deepening connections with alumni, donors, students and university friends through engagement and philanthropy. Prior to joining the WSU community, McGaha served as the interim president of the Georgia State University Foundation and the co-interim vice president for University Advancement, leading fundraising and engagement operations for the university while working directly with the GSU president and Board of Trustees as the institution’s chief development officer.

Registration closed on December 20. If you’d you still like to attend or if you have questions about the event, please contact events@bwf.com.

Event Cancellation Policy

All cancellation requests must be made in writing to events@bwf.com. A full refund of the registration cost will be granted when the cancellation request is received 10 business days prior to the scheduled event. A 50% refund of the registration cost will be granted if the request is received between 9 and 5 business days prior to the scheduled event. No refunds will be granted if the request is received with fewer than 5 days prior to the scheduled event.

If the event is canceled by BWF, registrants may be extended a full refund (100%) of the registration cost. BWF accepts no responsibility for travel arrangements or any other actual or perceived loss due to the cancellation of an event.

By registering for this event, you acknowledge and accept these terms and conditions.