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2025 Advancement Summit: Capital Campaigns

Monday, June 16, 2025 at 12:30 PM (EDT) to Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM (EDT)

Join us for this immersive workshop focusing on everything a head of school and development director need to know about capital campaigns.

  • What is a Capital Campaign?

  • The Campaign Study

  • Campaign Planning

  • Phases of a Campaign

  • Donor Recognition

  • Preparing for Your Next Campaign

This highly interactive course features breakout groups, dynamic discussions, and valuable opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals from peer institutions across the country. The connections you make don’t stop when the workshop ends—many participants have built lasting partnerships and found mentorship that continues to support their success and their school’s growth for years to come.

Schedule & Course Descriptions: Please see the Schedule tab above for a detailed agenda and course descriptions. The course is eligible for 11.5 CFRE credits.

Audience: The content is ideal for development professionals and heads of school as well as board members who want to sharpen their skills for cultivating and stewarding major donors. 

Partner: Thank you to our content partner, Winkler Group. Based in Charleston, Winkler offers strategic counsel to help your school build lifelong donor relationships  and sustainable funding before, during, and after a campaign.

 REGISTRATION 

Member

Non-Member

 through April 11 

$575

$679

 April 12-May 23 

$675

$779

 after May 23 

$775

$879

 

Agenda

June 16
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM Registration Lagoon A | 5th Floor
1:00 PM - 2:45 PM WHAT IS A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN? We’ll start with a big-picture look at capital campaigns—what they are, why they matter, and how to assess readiness across your school, advancement team, and donors.
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM Break
3:15 PM - 5:00 PM THE CAMPAIGN STUDY: PART 1 Learn how a campaign feasibility study sets your school up for success—what it includes, why it’s essential, and how to identify the right stakeholders to engage.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Reception Triton Foyer | 6th Floor
June 17
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Breakfast Buffet Triton Ballroom | 6th Floor
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM THE CAMPAIGN STUDY: PART 2 Turn your study results into a strategic road map for your campaign. We’ll show you how to analyze findings and leverage them to move forward with confidence.
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Break
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CAMPAIGN PLANNING PHASE: PART 1 Set your campaign up for success by finalizing goals, building your case for support, and recruiting a strong steering committee. Learn what it takes to stay on track.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch Triton Ballroom | 6th Floor
1:15 PM - 3:30 PM CAMPAIGN PLANNING PHASE: PART 2 Finalize advance and lead gift prospects and begin cultivation. Build momentum from the top down with thoughtful processes, campaign policies, and collateral.
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM Break
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM PHASES OF A CAMPAIGN: PART 1 Master the quiet phase: pacing strategies, major donor solicitations, and the keys to raising 80% of your goal.
June 18
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Breakfast Triton Ballroom | 6th Floor
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM PHASES OF A CAMPAIGN: PART 2 Learn when and how to transition to the public phase, including the kickoff timeline and final solicitation strategies.
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Break
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM DONOR RECOGNITION + PREPARING FOR YOUR NEXT CAMPAIGN Celebrate your donors, fulfill pledges, and lay the groundwork for your next big campaign. Meaningful recognition today builds stronger relationships for tomorrow.
12:00 PM Adjourn
Westin Sarasota

    The SAIS block is now closed. Please contact the hotel directly for the best available rate.

    Westin Sarasota
    (941) 217-4777

      Transportation

      From a variety of airports, free shuttles, and city-operated ride shares, Sarasota makes it easy to explore. Check out local transportation options here. Don't miss the $2 airport shuttle!

      Restaurants

      From casual to elegant and pub grub to high end, enjoy the diverse culinary landscape and the talented local chefs who bring it to life. In the foodie department, there’s something for every palate, from French to Vietnamese to burgers to seafood. 

      Discover delicious local dining options here. Most are within easy walking distance of the Westin Sarasota.

      Attractions

      Downtown Sarasota is a vibrant cultural and civic center offering theaters, boutiques, art galleries, trendy restaurants, and quaint cafes.

      Visitors and residents alike enjoy Sarasota’s walkable city lifestyle capped off by stunning sunsets and easy access to botanical gardens, a circus museum, an aquarium, and a variety of water adventures. Explore local attractions here.

      With the casual elegance of downtown, beautiful public parks, and the #1 beach in the country, Sarasota offers the best of both worlds.

      David Abusch-Magder
      View
      David Abusch-Magder Head of School The Epstein School
      Jennifer Brown
      View
      Jennifer Brown Director of Community Giving Mount Vernon School
      Jessica Browning
      View
      Jessica Browning Executive Vice President & Principal Winkler Group
      Jim Bush
      View
      Jim Bush Principal & CEO Winkler Group
      Elizabeth Clark
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      Elizabeth Clark Executive Assistant to the Head of School St. Mary's Episcopal Day School - Tampa
      Alyson Gammons
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      Alyson Gammons Marketing & Communications Coordinator Carlisle School
      Beth Gammons
      View
      Beth Gammons Assistant Head & Upper School Director Carlisle School
      Mackenzie Goodwin
      View
      Mackenzie Goodwin Development Director Concord Academy
      Katie Hajjar
      View
      Katie Hajjar Director of Finance & Operations Winkler Group
      Holly Hook
      View
      Holly Hook Director of Development The Covenant School of Dallas
      Mandy Horsley
      View
      Mandy Horsley Director of Advancement Carlisle School
      Josh Kimberlin
      View
      Josh Kimberlin Philanthropy Officer Mount Pisgah Christian School
      Denise McAdoo
      View
      Denise McAdoo Executive Director Community Giving & Impact Mount Vernon School
      Neal Meyer
      View
      Neal Meyer Head of School Carlisle School
      Amy Parikh
      View
      Amy Parikh Director of Finance Carlisle School
      Jeff Plunk
      View
      Jeff Plunk Head of School Savannah Christian Preparatory School
      Rachel Presley
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      Rachel Presley Director of Development & Marketing Friends School of Wilmington
      Ben Rein
      View
      Ben Rein Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement Ravenscroft School
      Brooke Reusch
      View
      Brooke Reusch Director of Advancement Father Ryan High School
      Steve Salvo
      View
      Steve Salvo Head of School St. Mary's Episcopal Day School - Tampa
      Tyler Stinnett
      View
      Tyler Stinnett Director of Major Gifts & Stewardship Baylor School
      Ronette Throne
      View
      Ronette Throne Chief Development Officer The Epstein School
      Kathy Tolbert
      View
      Kathy Tolbert Director of Advancement First Presbyterian Day School
      Speaker

      Jim BushJim Bush
      Principal & CEO, Winkler Group

      Jim Bush is a seasoned fundraising professional and nonprofit executive with over $500 million raised for capital campaigns over his career. Jim has presented at more than fifty national and international fundraising conferences; he has been named the top speaker at six international conferences. 

      He has been fortunate to lead capital campaigns and fundraising initiatives for countless independent schools, including many SAIS-accredited schools. 

      Presented By

      Event Policies & Acknowledgments
      • For questions about event registration or special accommodations, contact learn@sais.org