Campaigns in Context: Strategy, Structure, and Signals from the Field-Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar "Campaigns in Context: Strategy, Structure, and Signals from the Field," presented by CASE and Marts & Lundy, explored trends and innovations in educational fundraising campaigns. Key insights included the persistence of education as a top philanthropic area despite fewer overall donors, with growth driven by large gifts and foundation assets. The speakers highlighted challenges like donor fatigue, increased competition, and staffing constraints.<br /><br />Innovative campaign models such as micro campaigns allow focused fundraising on specific institutional priorities, building toward larger comprehensive campaigns. Data-driven strategies are critical; while ROI metrics are valued, only a minority of institutions apply fully data-driven budgeting, partly due to resource and leadership challenges. Emphasis was placed on optimizing donor pipelines, particularly engaging mid-level donors through segmentation and personalized journeys to nurture major gift prospects.<br /><br />Alumni engagement remains vital, with evidence showing non-monetary engagement activities strongly predict donor conversion. New research and tools, including AI applications, are enhancing efficiency by automating routine tasks, improving donor qualification, and tailoring communications.<br /><br />The newly relaunched CASE Campaign Survey, supported by Marts & Lundy, aims to provide transparent benchmarks on campaign goals, donor composition, staffing, and expenditures worldwide. Participants are encouraged to contribute data to strengthen sector-wide insights, enabling better resource advocacy and campaign planning.

Keywords

educational fundraising

philanthropy trends

donor fatigue

micro campaigns

data-driven strategies

donor segmentation

alumni engagement

AI in fundraising

CASE Campaign Survey