When you’re leading an independent school, there’s no shortage of advice out there. But not all that advice is created equal. When time, staff, and budgets are limited, where do you turn for proven guidance and resources? ISM Silver Membership.
Planning for Your Next Annual Giving Season Starts Now
Annual giving is the foundational program from which all other development efforts grow and flourish. Yet, for some development offices, efforts tend to be reactive rather than part of a coordinated, strategic plan.
The Pivotal Role of the Development Committee Chair
The difference between a thriving fundraising program and a struggling one often comes down to the leadership of the development committee chair.
From Posts to Purpose: Build Your School’s Strategic Social Media Content Plan
Social media is one of the most visible ways your school connects with current families, prospective parents, alums, and the broader community.
What Makes a Healthy Giving Culture?
ISM’s Stability Markers™ 6.0 help schools strengthen their culture of giving — linking board engagement, annual giving, and community involvement to long-term financial sustainability and mission-driven success.
Your Survey Is Complete — Now What? Part 2: Analyzing Your Results
Your surveys are complete, and the data is ready to review — where do you start?
Annual Giving: Setting and Meeting Data-Driven Targets
Learn how setting clear, data-driven gift targets transforms annual giving from sustaining support to driving meaningful growth for your school.
Beyond the Numbers: Leveraging Surveys for Strategic Success, Part 1
Surveys are more than just forms — conducting them over time allows you to spot trends, understand what your school is doing well, and uncover areas where there’s room to grow.
Structuring Your School's AI Readiness
Schools are facing a rapidly evolving AI landscape, and many lack the internal capacity or designated personnel to lead the strategic planning necessary to enhance teaching, streamline operations, and ensure ethical, mission-aligned AI adoption. Without a clear point person or process, schools may fall behind.
How to Talk to Younger Donors About Annual Giving
The next generation of donors thinks about annual giving not as an obligation but as a chance to fuel something bigger. Learn to speak their language.