Great advancement strategy begins with understanding people, not assumptions. The National Alumni Survey is providing one of the most comprehensive looks yet at what alumni actually think, value, and expect from their institutions. Its early findings reinforce a simple but powerful truth: graduates who feel informed, connected, and genuinely known are far more likely to become engaged donors. The future of university philanthropy may depend less on asking better questions and more on listening better.
Read MoreAs CEO tenure declines across nonprofits, higher education, and healthcare, the impact extends beyond leadership stress to the stability of donor relationships. Frequent transitions disrupt trust, slow major gift momentum, and force donors to recalibrate confidence in new leadership. In this environment, advancement teams play a critical role in maintaining continuity and reinforcing strategy. Strong fundraising leadership can’t prevent turnover, but it can protect the relationships that sustain long-term impact.
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