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. When you work with a third party specializing in independent schools like ISM, you get expert-designed, research-backed questions, guaranteed anonymity for participants, and results your community can trust.

Private-independent schools thrive when their communities understand that voluntary support is essential to advancing their student-centered mission. But even with a well-managed development operation, schools may struggle to meet fundraising goals due to underlying cultural factors that shape philanthropic capacity but remain undefined.

School marketers are increasingly overwhelmed by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Many aren’t sure how to leverage its potential, misapplying the technology or worrying about losing the personal touch in their messaging. Concerns about AI’s practicality, ethics, and effectiveness often lead to hesitation, creating missed marketing opportunities.

The wealth profile of a school refers to a comprehensive assessment of the financial capacity and philanthropic potential of its donor base. Through the process of wealth screening, the profile of your school helps you analyze the wealth, giving history, and capacity of current and potential donors.

Join Phil Higgison, ISM Consultant; Herb Soles, ISM Adjunct Consultant; and Jesse Roberts, Unbound Brand General Manager, for an overview of how you can better assess the wealth profile at your school using a combination of public record data, philanthropy databases, and algorithms.

Did you know independent schools have a distinct advantage when it comes to Giving Tuesday fundraising? Discover how you can tap your biggest asset — your donor relationships.

Whether you’re just getting started or already planning your campaign, learn how to turn these personal connections into record-breaking donations. Join Holman Gao, Founder and CEO of Boost My School, as he demonstrates actionable strategies for unlocking your school’s Giving Tuesday superpower and addresses your specific questions about fine-tuning your campaign.

Whether you are part of a large development team, a “one-person show,” or a School Head working without a dedicated development director, your ability to efficiently manage data, process gifts, support volunteers, and direct the cultivation and solicitation of major gift prospects has a profound difference to your bottom line.

Join ISM’s expert development team — ISM Consultants Michael Christopher and Phil Higginson, and ISM Adjunct Consultant Herb Soles — as they discuss administrative and operational approaches to set you and your Board up for fundraising success.

Managing staff is challenging — it requires determination and effective communication to address poor performance, resolve conflicts, and lead a team effectively. All too often, leaders confuse performance and evaluation conversations for coaching, because they prioritize immediate problems rather than long-term development. Coaching, however, encourages team members to reflect and improve on their goals — and can even lead to a futurist mindset of innovation.

Development plays a crucial role in your school's success and long-term strategic growth. An accountable Development Office must evaluate how well its operations reflect best practices and whether its objectives are achieved. Join ISM’s expert development team — ISM Consultants Michael Christopher and Phil Higginson, and ISM Adjunct Consultant Herb Soles — as they present an overview of the various aspects of successful development operations.