Philanthropy Operations

This track provides an overview of the many roles and areas typically found in philanthropy operations and development services. Learn from expert faculty and peers in this unique and inspiring course as competencies and skills are developed and honed to be a high-performing operations professional and leader.

Attendees will be encouraged to share the unique characteristics of their organizations’ operational structures and how they have developed strategies to overcome challenges. The goal will be to identify best practices as well as novel solutions in supporting successful fundraising teams.

View the 2026 blueprint below to see how the track is structured, including the topics covered each day.

This track is ideal for those who provide operations support to their organization and aspire to be in a leadership role or are currently in a leadership role and want to learn how to maximize their scope.  

• Governance
• Board/fiduciary management
• Compliance and legal
• Strategic planning
• Budgeting
• Contracting and vendor management
• Purchasing and accounts payable
• Treasury (cash and investment management)
• Human resources and payroll
• Donor database and prospect information management
• Managing unrestricted and restricted funds
• Programmatic support