9:30-11:30 a.m. Pre-Conference Workshops
Pre-conference workshops are free, but space is limited and registration is required.
You can only register for one of the workshops and you must also be registered for the full conference.
An Introduction to Annual Giving and the “Meeting of the Minds” Conference
Bob Burdenski, Robert Burdenski Annual Giving
Mountain Vista Room
New to the profession? New to the conference? Join CASE Laureate and long-time MOTM host Bob Burdenski for an overview of today’s annual giving fundraising. We’ll talk about the evolving goals, methods, channels, messages, metrics — and the very idea of “annual giving” itself. Ideal for “newbies” (or you “oldbies” in need of a refresh) and also get some ideas for maximizing your “Minds” conference experience in Pomona.
Pre-Conference Workshop: (Free Registration Required.)
Advancement Services Fundamentals
John Taylor, John H. Taylor Consulting
Join CASE author John Taylor as he digs into many topics facing the Advancement Services profession today. John will address several common IRS topics, including:
▪ Binding & Non-Binding Pledges
▪ Donor-Advised Fund and Family Foundation Issues
Quid Pro Quo
▪ The Latest Edition of the CASE Standards (and the many changes and additions made since the previous edition over ten years ago)
▪ Implementing Gift Assessment Fees (taxes on incoming gifts).
▪ Sponsorships – Advertising Versus Contribution.
More information is here.
12:00-1:00 p.m. Registration Open
Registration and Networking in the Sponsor Lounge
1:00-1:45 p.m. Opening Session
Be Mindful: All The Sessions You Don’t Want To Miss… Welcome, Introductions and the Beginning of the 2025 Meeting of the Minds
Bob Burdenski and John Taylor, Conference co-Chairs
Auditorium Room
Well-known Crystal Apple teachers, CASE Laureates, authors, listserv moderators, and fundraising curmudgeons Bob Burdenski and John Taylor launch the 2025 Meeting of the Minds Conference with a festive welcome and a rapid-fire rundown of their favorite advancement services and annual giving conference sessions and speakers to follow. Often in sync, lovingly in conflict, and always working in support of philanthropic goals, annual giving and advancement services offices play a critical role in advancement success. Join Bob and John as they provide a preview of the great conference sessions to come, and hear a special welcome from our sponsors. And let’s see what they misspelled this year!
1:45-2:15 p.m. Plenary Session
The Future of Our Work
Rodger Devine, Pomona College
Auditorium Room
There are no fewer than four sessions (including this one) related to AI at this year’s Meeting of the Minds conference. Is this bad news for our work, or good news for enhancing our work? And what might our work even look like in the not-so-distant future? Old MOTM friend and futurist Rodger Devine will share his ideas about the evolving goals, methods and strategies for advancement services and annual giving – and how we’ll accomplish and achieve them. Agree or disagree – bring your opinions and we’ll look into our collective crystal ball.
2:15 – 2:45 p.m. Extended Break in the Sponsor Lounge
Featuring a gourmet popcorn buffet and a great opportunity to get your sponsor bingo cards stamped!
2:45-3:45 p.m. Breakout Sessions
Nuclear Narratives: Simple How-To’s for Crafting Stories That Motivate Your Audience
Crystal Gammon, Pomona College
Auditorium Room
Our brains are wired for stories. A good story can warm hearts, engage minds and inspire goodwill – and it can drive your audience to take action. Learn how to craft narratives that motivate as we deconstruct the art of storytelling into its elemental units. This interactive session will get you thinking like a storyteller, and you’ll leave with strategies for delivering your most important messages through narratives that connect, inspire and drive impact.
Leadership Annual Giving – Fundamentals of Personal Solicitation and (More-or-Less)
Face-to-Face Fundraising
Ray Watts, CSU San Bernardino
Mountain Vista Room
Annual Giving is a dynamic and changing field, no longer solely focused on mass marketing through direct mail and student phonathons. The “new normal” for annual giving is a team-centered approach with a group of individuals who have personal prospect portfolios and expectations of much more face-to-face identification, cultivation and solicitation work. This workshop will be structured in an interactive format, with a focus on real-time learning and specific coaching. Come prepared to share experiences and learn strategies and tactics to make you a better development professional as you get on the road and work with donors one-on-one.
Records Management 101 – A Panel Discussion
Grant Potter, UC Davis, Jeff Callaghan, UC Berkeley and Zac Spurlin, University of the Pacific
Valley Vista Room
Please join our group of industry experts prepared to discuss your records management concerns and conundrums! We will encourage audience participation as you are the experts, too! We will come prepared to discuss topics including data governance, deceasing best practices, common data entry errors, when – and when not – to create a spousal/partner record, matching gift company management, daily and weekly data integrity edits, and whether you really need to create a new record when you receive a gift from an existing donor’s estate. While we will be happy to discuss these topics with you, we also want to review what is most important to you! We will add your suggestions to our list at the session’s opening.
Principles of Ethically Influencing Annual Giving
Clark Gafke, LEAD Philanthropy
Campus Vista Room
Discover the science behind donor motivation in this engaging and insightful session! Principles of Ethically Influencing Annual Giving will equip you with eight proven principles—Authority, Consistency, Contrast, Liking, Reciprocity, Scarcity, Social Proof, and Unity—that inspire donors to make meaningful gifts to their university. Rooted in the groundbreaking research of the Cialdini Institute, these principles provide a framework for authentic and ethical donor engagement. Clark Gafke, a Cialdini Certified Professional and Ethical Influence Practitioner, will guide you through the subtle yet powerful elements of everyday communication that drive generosity. With practical examples and actionable takeaways, this session will empower you to build stronger connections with donors and achieve sustainable results in annual giving. Whether you’re a seasoned fundraiser or new to the field, this session will improve the way you approach donor engagement!
4:15-5:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions
Women in Leadership in Advancement
Kalyn Rose Miller, Pomona College, Gizel Avina, Drucker School of Management, Claremont Graduate University, and Panel TBA
Auditorium Room
Women make up the majority of nonprofit employees, yet they are underrepresented in leadership positions across nonprofit organizations. In this panel, we bring together women leaders and aspiring women leaders of nonprofits to engage in discussion about relevant issues and foster meaningful relationships. How can we understand both the challenges and the opportunities presented by women’s leadership? How do issues like gender roles, work-life balance, and mentorship shape women’s leadership?
A Donor Relations and Stewardship Toolbox
Nicole Forrest Boggs, CSU Long Beach
Mountain Vista Room
In today’s competitive fundraising landscape, effective donor relations and stewardship are crucial for nonprofit success. This session explores the latest administrative tools and technologies designed to enhance donor engagement, streamline stewardship processes, and foster long-term relationships.
Aligning Advancement Services in Support of Annual Giving
Natalie Greenhouse, Occidental College
Valley Vista Room
In today’s competitive fundraising landscape, effective donor relations and stewardship are crucial for nonprofit success. This session explores the latest administrative tools and technologies designed to enhance donor engagement, streamline stewardship processes, and foster long-term relationships.
Direct Mail: 5 Things You Should be Testing
Sara Pond and Matt Sulzer, MCR
Campus Vista Room
Testing, testing 1, 2, 3… Are you testing your direct mail approach? Join MCR to learn 5 things you should test, how to perform a quality test, and lessons learned from client results – plus, view a smorgasbord of direct mail samples! Implementing these elements into your upcoming campaign will reveal insights about your audience, identify donor patterns and help you develop a sound fundraising strategy.
5:15-6:30 p.m. Conference Opening Reception
Join your fellow Minds for some complimentary nibbles and drinks on the patio just outside the sponsor lounge area. Sponsored by MCR!