Call For Session Proposals
15th Annual HBCU Philanthropy Symposium
July 6 – July 10, 2025
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort
Orlando, FL
The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Philanthropy Symposium convenes fundraising professionals and other leaders in the philanthropic community from across the nation. The Symposium partners with organizations including the Kresge Foundation, Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), Strada Education Foundation, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Complete College America, and many others.
The HBCU Philanthropy Symposium is a philanthropic space for Advancement leaders to share ideas and challenges. The primary goal is to collectively develop solutions in collaboration with our partners to ensure the sustainability of HBCUs. Additionally, the Symposium has expanded the discussion of how philanthropy impacts all areas within HBCUs to ensure student success. As a result, ongoing professional development is critical to our ability to generate philanthropic dollars and effectively work across institutional departments successfully.
Therefore, the HBCU Philanthropy Symposium Planning Committee is conducting a call for session proposals for our 2025 convening, July 6 – July 10. We encourage higher education leaders and stakeholders to submit proposals. Please note that we are not seeking sales pitches, but relevant information that will benefit beginning professionals and junior and senior-level leaders.
Presenters should be able to share relevant content that includes best practices, data-driven and successful strategies, hands-on resource materials, emerging trends, and innovative ideas for college and university leaders, particularly related to HBCUs. We are looking for presenters to provide content for the following topic areas:
Advancement Services - Donor Relations/Stewardship
Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Philanthropy
Athletic Fundraising
Campaigns and Major Gifts
Corporate Relations
Deans and Academic Leaders’ Roles in Philanthropy
Governance
Innovative solutions (Ex. Impact investing; P3 opportunities)
Planned Giving
Disclaimer: Submissions that best demonstrate the criteria above will receive the strongest consideration. All presenters are expected to be registered participants for the 2025 HBCU Philanthropy Symposium. In some cases, the Planning Committee may request selected presenters with similar content to make a joint presentation.
HBCU Philanthropy Symposium Details:
Submissions: Proposal should be submitted by 11:59 pm on Friday, March 28, 2025
Location: Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort, Orlando, FL
When: Monday – Thursday, July 6 – July 10, 2025
Target Audiences: HBCUs, Community Colleges, and Minority Serving Institutions.
Who Should Attend: Presidents/Chancellors, Vice Presidents/Vice Chancellors and all levels of staff in: Advancement; Student Success to include the Deans; Alumni Relations, Marketing and Communications, and Athletics.
For more information, contact:
Ms. Alexandra Powell
aspowell [at] desu.edu