Best Practices for Educational Fundraising!

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!


Webinar: Financial Aid Appeals

July 9, 2024 at 12PM ET

As the cost of tuition continues to rise at significant rates, many educational institutions face pressure to provide access to deserving students. In turn, annual giving programs and gift officers are developing more proactive strategies to help identify donor prospects who care about and want to support financial aid and scholarships. Knowing how to find these prospects, and understanding the potential challenges surrounding these efforts will help ensure that fundraising goals are met and greater student access is achieved. Learn more or register now.


Article: Getting Prospect Meetings Right

When it comes to having a productive meeting with a donor or prospective donor, your degree of preparation is not the only determinant of success. There are in fact four additional things that you need to get right—and all of them are as much under your control as being adequately prepared for the meeting… Read more.


Podcast E23: Anessa Rios-Ezeude | Understanding Your Mission

In this episode, Anessa Rios-Ezeude, Director of Annual Giving at the University of Houston, talks about understanding your mission, inclusive giving, being ahead of the curve, finding heart in fundraising, tapping into community, and more! Listen to this episode now.


Featured Job: Assistant Director, Annual Giving at University of Miami UHealth System

The Assistant Director will work in partnership with the Sr. Director to identify how to utilize and optimize annual giving scores and multi-variable predictive indices to ensure donor acquisition, retention, and revenue growth. The Assistant Director will partner with colleagues to establish a solicitation and stewardship program for the acquisition and retention of specific constituencies. In conjunction with the Sr. Director, the Assistant Director will establish a robust and data-driven solicitation strategy that supports the mission and priorities of the institution. Learn more.


Workshop: Reunion Giving

July 18th, 2024 at 11:30AM ET

Celebrating class reunions (or even “graduation anniversaries”) can be one of the most effective ways to engage alumni and increase annual giving. Building on feelings of nostalgia and leveraging class affinity, reunion gift campaigns offer annual giving programs a special opportunity to attract new donors, engage current donors, reactivate lapsed donors, and solicit leadership-level gifts from your most loyal and engaged supporters. Learn more or register now.


Featured Job: Director, Annual Giving at University of Miami

The Director, Annual Giving, reports to the Senior Director for Annual Giving + Digital Engagement and is responsible for leading and supporting an omni-channel, data-driven, annual giving program at the University of Miami. The Director, Annual Giving oversees the development programs for assigned divisions within the organization with the goal of enlisting widespread and active support for the University’s advancement efforts. The incumbent orchestrates all member relations activities to increase and sustain donations. Learn more.


Workshop: Recurring Gifts

August 1st, 2024 at 11:30AM ET

The more often a donor makes a gift, the more likely they are to continue giving in the future. That’s why recurring or monthly donors—also known as “sustainers”—can be a critical part of an annual giving effort. Recurring gift programs not only offer an easy way for donors to provide ongoing support, but they can be an effective way to acquire new (and young!) donors, boost retention rates, and increase giving from current supporters to higher levels. Learn more or register now.


Workshop: Gift Impact Communications

August 15th, 2024 at 11:30AM ET

It’s not about the money. It’s about what the money does. That’s why it’s so important to develop content and messages that communicate the impact of annual fund gifts to donors. This is especially true for unrestricted gifts where donors may not understand how their donations are being used. Articulating how annual fund gifts benefit students, faculty, and the institution in general – through appeals, acknowledgments and other communications – is a critical aspect of stewardship and key to ensuring continued lifelong support. Learn more or register now.


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!