Workshop: Leadership Gift Officers

January 23, 2025 11:00am-4:30pm ET

Overview

The role of a gift officer is to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership donors on behalf of your institution. One of the best ways to do this is through individual meetings (both virtual and in-person) with prospects and donors. Understanding your role, and knowing what to do before, during and after a meeting, will not only help you to engage prospects in more productive conversations, but it will help to strengthen relationships, raise sights, and secure increasing levels of support for years to come.

Join us on Thursday, January 23rd for an interactive online workshop and learn how to use virtual and in-person techniques to become a highly productive gift officer in an increasingly digital world.

Participants will have an opportunity to:

  • Discover the most effective techniques in frontline fundraising today.
  • Participate in skill-building exercises and focused small-group discussions
  • Hear from experts and peers about their experiences, challenges, and successes
  • Obtain workshop handouts and other materials
  • Earn CFRE credit
  • And more!

This event is ideal for new and more experienced gift officers who wish to improve their ability to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors more effectively.

  • Save $250 when you register by Friday, December 13th
  • AGN Members save an additional 40%
  • Receive further discounts when registering multiple attendees from one institution

Program

(all times are EDT)

10:50am - Sign-In Begins

11:00am - Welcome

Get an overview of the program and what you can expect from the day.

11:15am - General Session - Understanding Your Role/Preparing for Meetings 

Develop an appreciation for the role of leadership gift officers, the importance of meeting with prospects, and how to get prepared.

11:45am - Transition/Assignment

Complete an exercise on your own while transitioning into your small group.

11:50am - Small Groups - Planning Your Work

Discover how other gift officers set goals, approach their work, and deal with challenges.

12:45pm - Break 

Take a little time to rest, get a snack, check email, etc.

1:00pm - General Session: Meeting with Prospects

Learn how to conduct successful meetings with prospects and donors.

1:30pm - Transition/Assignment

Complete an exercise on your own while transitioning into your small group.

1:35pm - Small Groups - Making the Ask

Discover how other gift officers set goals, approach their work, and deal with challenges.

2:45pm - Break 

Take a little time to rest, get a snack, check email, etc.

3:15pm - General Session: Following Up After Meetings

Find out what to do after a meeting to keep prospects and donors engaged.

3:30pm - Transition/Assignment

Complete an exercise on your own while transitioning into your small group.

3:35pm - Small Groups - Stewarding Leadership Donors

Learn how to view the giving experience from your donor’s perspective.

4:15pm - Bringing It All Together 

Hear key takeaways and words of advice from the workshop’s expert faculty.

4:30pm - Workshop Ends

*Note: Only one person/login per institutional registration.

Faculty

Amanda Davis

With over 15 years of experience in annual giving and educational fundraising, Amanda has led programs at The University of Oklahoma Foundation, Oklahoma State University Foundation, Oklahoma City University, University of Missouri - Kansas City, and the University of New Orleans. Her other experience includes work with American Red Cross Southeast Louisiana Chapter. She holds B.A. in English and Sociology from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an M.P.A. from the University of Missouri - Kansas City.

 

Meredith Johnston

With over 20 years of experience in annual giving and educational fundraising, Meredith has led programs at Scripps Research, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, and Oklahoma State University. Her other experience includes leading teams through change, developing and leading comprehensive campaigns, and building strong teams while nurturing talent. She holds a B.A. in Literature from the University of North Texas.

 

Mae Parker

With more than 15 years of experience in annual giving and educational fundraising, Mae has led programs at Grinnell College and Earlham College, and is a past Co-Chair for STAFF (Sharing the Annual Fund Fundamentals). Mae holds a B.A. in Business and Nonprofit Management from Earlham College and an M.A. in Executive Development for Public Service from Ball State University. She also received a Certificate in Fundraising Management from The Fund Raising School at Indiana University.

 

Dan Allenby  |  Principal & Founder at Annual Giving Network

Dan is an author, speaker, and consultant who has worked with educational institutions for more than 25 years to improve their fundraising results. An internationally recognized expert on annual giving, he is a CASE Laureate and recipient of the prestigious Crystal Apple Award for Teaching Excellence. His book Ideas for Annual Giving offers designs for helping organizations increase their levels of sustainable philanthropic support. Dan has led annual giving and membership programs at Boston University, Tufts University, Georgetown University, and the National Geographic Society. He also served on the faculty for CASE’s Summer Institute in Educational Fundraising and chaired its Senior Annual Giving Professionals Conference and Annual Giving Workshop for five collective terms. He holds a B.A. in History from James Madison University and a M.B.A. from Boston College. Outside of work, Dan enjoys spending time with his family, writing songs, and getting away to the beaches of Cape Cod. His philosophy is that success comes from focusing on what’s right in front of you.

For more information about this workshop, please contact us at 888.407.5064 or [email protected].