The annual fund is more than just a fundraising campaign — it’s the heartbeat of your development program. It engages the widest circle of your school community, builds a culture of giving and getting involved, and often serves as the first step in identifying those who will take on further leadership roles.
Introducing ISM Stability Markers 6.0
ISM is pleased to introduce ISM Stability Markers® 6.0, a completely revamped set of research-based indexes designed for the heads, governance leaders, and top administrators of private-independent schools.
Fundraising Essentials: Small Development Shop Series, Part 2 of 4
For independent schools with small development teams, managing multiple fundraising initiatives can feel daunting. How do you balance annual giving, major gifts, and planned giving with limited staff and resources?
Case Study: Crescent School at Advancement Academy
Looking to grow as a team, set goals that align with their school's strategic plan, and take advantage of mentorship opportunities, the advancement team at Crescent School sends members to Advancement Academy every year.
From Enrollment to Engagement: Onboarding Your New Families
Retaining families is “enrollment critical.” It’s never too early to start re-recruiting your new parents and students with a transition to your school community that is positive and mission-centered. As families juggle the demands of daily life, school leaders must be increasingly creative and thoughtful in providing new families with the information and connections necessary to establish a strong, productive partnership with the school based on shared values.
Maximizing Success: Small Development Shop Series, Part 1 of 4
Running a small development office in a private-independent school comes with unique challenges and opportunities. With limited staff and resources, advancement professionals must be strategic, efficient, and mission-driven to maximize fundraising success.
This webinar will explore key strategies for prioritizing tasks, leveraging volunteers, engaging donors, and building a sustainable fundraising program — while wearing multiple hats. You’ll gain practical insights to help you streamline operations and increase impact.
Breaking Down Silos: Building an Advancement-Oriented School
Private-independent schools thrive when marketing communications, enrollment management, and development operate as a cohesive advancement team rather than as isolated departments. Yet, too often, these functions work in silos, leading to missed opportunities for engagement and growth.
Case Study: Good Shepherd Episcopal School at ISM Advancement Academy
Here's how Good Shepherd Episcopal School in Dallas, TX, took advantage of ISM Advancement Academy to grow as a team, refine its marketing communication strategy, and set practical goals for the year ahead.
6 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Professional Development
In the process of preparing to teach a couple of professional development workshops for ISM, I got to thinking about the students who have gotten the most out of their experiences — and why.
What has been the difference for those with tangible, measurable results versus those who check in, check out, and don’t move the needle when they get back to their schools?
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? The volume of information can feel overwhelming, and data misinterpreted or misused can be more detrimental than no data at all. Missteps can lead to divisiveness among faculty, misguided decision-making, and even public relations challenges with legal ramifications.