seeking conversation about Campaign / Appeal best practices

Gabi Barton

Hello all, I've started reading old posts about Campaign / Appeal best practices and, while I will keep on reading them, I'd be grateful to connect with anyone heading up Advancement Operations in higher ed to have a conversation on this topic not limited to a specific question or two. I started at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights six months ago (first time in higher ed after primarily being in arts and culture--so I'm getting used to what it feels like to actually have the resources to do things right!) and I don't currently have any close connections with my counterparts at other colleges. I'm attending the AASP conference in New Orleans in September but thought to post here as well. I'm reachable on LinkedIn or at gbarton@sfc.edu if anyone would like to connect!

Karen Diener

@Gabi Barton since you said you have been reading through older posts, you have probably seen this before. But I think this is my favorite Blackbaud webinar and I highly recommend you watch it.

I've worked with a variety of nonprofits in different verticals and the guidelines here are applicable to any of them. When I worked in a high school, the main difference was the categorization of Appeals that fell in line with CASE standards. Just because schools organize funds that way does not mean that everyone has to. But it is a familiar structure within Education, and going to AASP should be a helpful conference.

I've been to that conference a couple of times - one year was great and another was useless, much like any conference. Sometimes the sessions are relevant to your role, or your organizations culture or budget, and sometimes they are not. Definitely use that time to network, and I hope there are some sessions and people to help you out!

Karen