News & Information
As the world’s leading resource for annual giving programs, AGN helps educational institutions develop sustainable sources of philanthropic support. We’re proud to have served thousands of colleges, universities, and independent schools through our research, training, and consulting services, and through our membership program, which provides ongoing access to professional development.
Read below for our latest news, upcoming events, and more!
Podcast E36: Ann Lawrence Grasty - Showing Your Enthusiasm
September 1, 2025Ann Lawrence Grasty, Executive Director, University Annual Giving & Stewardship at the University of Virginia, talks about showing your enthusiasm, living your life, starting with trust, leveraging shared experiences, entering traffic circles, and more! Tune in to listen to the complete episode.
2025 Best in Annual Giving Awards
Submit your work by Oct 31st for a chance to winCalling all advancement professionals: Now in its 8th year, AGN’s 2025 Best in Annual Giving Awards is now underway! Submit your most successful and innovative samples and ideas by October 31st for your chance to win. We’re looking for the best direct mail appeals, emails, scripts, stewardship pieces, volunteer materials, advertisements, giving day and crowdfunding materials, and special campaign collateral. Click Here to learn more.
Webinar: Leadership Annual Gift Appeals
November 13, 2025 12:00pm-1:30pm ETIn annual giving – just as with nearly every other type of fundraising effort – the majority of the money raised will almost always come from a relatively small group of a campaign’s top donors. That’s why it’s so important to develop personalized, high-quality appeals for this important group. Doing so will not only increase the chances that your appeals will stand out and get opened, but it will go a long way to making your best prospects and donors feel special and appreciated. Register now.
Featured Job: Senior Director of Annual Giving at The University of Texas at Austin
Leading and mentoring a robust Annual Giving Programs team, the Senior Director of Annual Giving Programs will be responsible for strategizing, implementing, and managing multi- and omni-channel annual giving programs to increase donor acquisition, retention, engagement, participation, and revenue. This role focuses on cultivating new and retaining existing donors by identifying, qualifying, and moving them through the fundraising pipeline utilizing internal partnerships, reporting, AI and predictive analytics. Learn more.
Annual Giving Directors Forum
November 6, 2025 from 11:30-4:00pm ETAGN’s Annual Giving Directors Forums bring together leaders (and rising leaders) from across the industry to discuss the latest trends and best practices in annual giving and educational fundraising. FREE to AGN Members*, these regular half-day events provide a platform for developing winning annual giving strategies. Attendees come away feeling rejuvenated and connected and better positioned to lead programs and achieve annual giving success. Register now.
Article: Explaining Your Work (U. of South Florida)
There’s a lot of people who don’t really understand what it is that educational advancement professionals do. And this doesn’t just apply to people who work outside of the field. It can also be the case within advancement shops, when staff in one department don’t fully appreciate what those in other departments do. Whether it’s in a small shop, in a large program, or somewhere in between, it’s important for different units to understand one another if they’re going to be able to work together effectively. Click to continue reading…
Become an AGN Member Today!
This is a great time to invest in professional development for your team. AGN Membership provides advancement staff and volunteers with ongoing access to the training and tools that they’ll need to be successful. Learn more or become a member today!