CASE Presents: Building a Development Office That Works-Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The session explored how schools can build and strengthen development offices, with participants sharing their current maturity levels and five-year ambitions.<br /><br />Sarah Walton of AKS Lytham described creating a development office and charitable foundation from scratch, bringing together alumni from five merged schools. Key lessons included securing leadership and stakeholder support, sticking to a clear strategy, managing expectations with realistic benchmarks, and investing in data, communications and relationships. The school launched a bursary campaign, gained 1,000 alumni sign-ups in its first year, and raised funds through major gifts and a community donation week. Sarah stressed that engagement—especially personalised, face-to-face contact—helps build donor support.<br /><br />Nick Gilbert of King’s School Gloucester focused on working effectively with governors. He advised development professionals to explain fundraising timelines, set evidence-based targets, report progress and risks clearly, and distinguish strategic oversight from operational detail. Governors can contribute through introductions, advice, hosting and advocacy, not only donations. Identifying a few informed champions can be especially valuable.<br /><br />The session closed with information about CASE learning opportunities, conferences, communities and resources for advancement professionals.

Keywords

development office

school fundraising

alumni engagement

charitable foundation

stakeholder support

major gifts

governor relations

bursary campaign

advancement professionals