S.T.A.F.F.

Twenty years of outstanding conferences to
S
hare The Annual Fund
F
undamentals

24th Annual S.T.A.F.F Conference

July 19-21, 2009

Denison University
Granville, OH

 


What is S.T.A.F.F.?

The S.T.A.F.F. organization is a representative group of 40 small, selective liberal arts colleges, which joined together 20 years ago to implement successful and innovative annual giving programs through the sharing of information and networking. The organization relies upon the expertise and involvement of its volunteer membership for the management and execution of the annual conference and related activities.

The Annual Conference
Beginning with the first conference hosted by Colgate in 1986, S.T.A.F.F. has grown and changed to bring its members the latest information and ideas that have led to success in annual giving campaigns. This conference has addressed topics from the "Challenge of Integrating Annual Fund into a Comprehensive Campaign" to "The Next Generation - Getting Young Alumni on Board", presenting the latest cutting edge thinking, and more important, the opportunity to discuss and debate with peers. As S.T.A.F.F. enters its twentieth year, the conference sessions are as strategic and topical as ever.

Upcoming date:
2008 - Sunday, July 20 - Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Membership
S.T.A.F.F. membership is limited to 40 member institutions at any given time. In 1986 when the first conference was held at Colgate University, the founding members created a gathering with the objective of bringing together a small group of like institutions in an inexpensive way. The group set out the following criteria for membership:

  • The institution should have between 1,000 and 3,500 undergraduate students
  • The institution's endowment should be at least $100,000,000
  • The institutions should receive at least $2 million in annual gifts

In addition representatives of member institutions are expected to attend the annual conference each year. Failure to attend for two consecutive years results in dismissal from the group. Each institution may bring three annual giving professionals to the conference annually. Active participation in S.T.A.F.F. requires that members serve as session panelists or presenters at the annual conference, facilitate a session, host an activity or event in conjunction with the conference, compile one of the annual surveys of the group, or serve as a volunteer on one of the planning committees.


S.T.A.F.F. Products
The S.T.A.F.F. organization produces a number of documents annually that assess that status of the member organizations. These include

  • Salary Survey - a compilation of the salary ranges of annual fund professionals in the member institutions.
  • Statistical Survey - a comprehensive document that measures and bench-marks annual giving program performance among member institutions across a wide range of indicators
  • Technology Survey - a document detailing member institutions use of technology in the operation of their annual giving programs
  • Membership Directory - a directory of annual giving staff at each member institution, along with contact information
  • Fiscal Year performance reports of member institutions

To suggest additions or changes, or to submit documents for posting, contact the site manager, Barbara Knauf at 315-229-5902 or bknauf@stlawu.edu