Discover the strategies you need to prepare for a successful capital campaign to motivate and engage your supporters—creating an inspirational and sustainable vision for the future.

Your school, whether large or small, can run a successful capital campaign—with the correct preparation.

Explore the dynamics of independent school fundraising to support your school’s ability to make a difference for your students. Become more confident in your role and understand how to maximize the capacity of your volunteer and donor base.

Learn how to simplify planned giving to enable prospects to give gifts larger than they imagined.

Billions of dollars of intergenerational money are currently being transferred from one generation to another, creating significant philanthropic opportunities—are you alert to the full potential of your school’s supporters?

Unlock the power of planned giving and pave the way for transformational philanthropy in your school. This workshop provides a comprehensive guide to creating a dynamic planned giving program that resonates with donors, fosters long-term engagement, and secures sustainable support for your cause.

Are all your students thriving? Or are some just surviving? How do you know? At the heart of true Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging (DEIJB) work is creating a culture in which all students thrive as evidenced by experiencing appreciation, validation, acceptance, and fair treatment within a culturally vibrant environment.

Diversity is often undefined or ill-defined, which creates confusion among groups regarding mission alignment, connection to teaching and learning, and benefactors of diversity efforts. This lack of clarity puts additional pressure and stress on a role that is already inherently challenging and highly emotional work.

Led by practitioners with extensive backgrounds in independent schools, this workshop guides DEIJB practitioners (by any name) in facilitated inquiry employing various interactive strategies, discussions, individual reflection, and theoretical frameworks. Participants leave this workshop with a customized action plan to begin enacting the critical work of cultivating cultural competency and enriching community within their respective school communities.

Learn how to design and implement a winning annual fund program that’s the heart of your fundraising initiatives.

The foundation of your school’s culture of philanthropy begins with a strong annual fund. Discover how to build a thriving annual fund strategy that drives relationships, generates enthusiasm, and raises dollars—enabling your school to go above and beyond in delivering your mission to your students.

Determine how to identify, engage, evaluate, solicit, recognize, and steward donors and prospects. Learn how to employ strategic data, share a strong school story, and build a confident and agile annual fund team.

Explore what determines long-term sustainability for independent schools, how to make strategic tuition decisions even in uncertain times, and what elements go into powerful strategic plans.

Strategic planning helps reset a school’s direction and brings about meaningful institutional growth. Understand the important elements that are required to create an effective strategic plan.

Discuss effective Board structure, explore your school’s marketplace stance, and learn how to quantify your school's perceived value. Discover the steps you must take now to protect your school for the future.

Build a comprehensive engagement plan that includes a focus on stewardship and elevates your work with your donors and prospects to an even higher level.

The amount and kind of attention paid to your donors, families, and organizations when not soliciting them can make an enormous difference in your school’s fundraising success. This workshop takes a close look into how the Donor Cycle (identification, engagement, evaluation, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship) provides a strategic approach to moving a donor or prospect into a closer relationship with your school.

We'll examine the process by which development professionals begin the work of discovering potential donors, enhancing relationships with donors, and qualifying their interests, values, and financial resources. You’ll learn effective solicitation techniques to connect your donors and prospects with your school’s strategic priorities.

The ISM Annual Advancement Academy brings together leaders in the areas of admission, alumni relations, development, enrollment, fundraising, and marketing communications—along with School Heads—to collaborate on advancement initiatives and strategies. Attendees leave with a customized action plan to implement right away.