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Advancement Advisory Services

Research, expert guidance, and world-class benchmarking for Advancement leaders and their teams
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A Nationwide Network of Advancement Leaders

300+

Chief Advancement Officers served through the partnership

97%

of Chief Advancement Officers continue their partnership with EAB each year

320+

institutions participate in our KPI benchmarking initiative
Research and Expert Advice

Trusted Advice for Advancement Leaders

Universities are navigating a rapidly shifting philanthropic landscape, with heightened competition for donor support, rising expectations for impact and transparency, and increased pressure to demonstrate the value of advancement activities. EAB’s Advancement Advisory Services gives you and your organization an edge with proven strategies for aligning fundraising goals with institutional priorities and responding to donor-investor expectations.

Strategic Planning and Support

Future-Proof Your Advancement Strategy

From developing your major gifts pipeline to becoming a top destination for advancement talent, our research-backed tools and advice can help you tackle every topic in your portfolio with confidence.

  • Optimize Advancement ROI
  • Drive Fundraiser Efficiency and Productivity
  • Build a Sustainable Donor Pipeline
  • Collaborate with the Academy to Secure Top Gifts
  • Develop a Strong Campaign Strategy
  • Attract and Retain Advancement Talent
Benchmarking and ROI

Uncover the Investments that Drive ROI

Our proprietary Advancement Benchmarking initiative provides apples-to-apples comparison to your peers to help drive strategy and investment. Compare across 60+ KPIs including:

  • FTEs by division and role
  • Personnel and operating expenditures
  • ROI and fundraising productivity
  • Visits, proposals, and gifts
  • Portfolio composition and churn
  • Tenure and fundraiser compensation

Hear How One Institution Leveraged this Data to Grow their Advancement Shop

Networking and Professional Development

Harness the Perspective of a Global Network

Our Advancement summits bring together the experience, knowledge, and perspective of advancement experts, administrators, and practitioners to deliver you the best ideas to take back to your institution.

  • Executive Roundtables
  • Virtual Summits

Reviewing EAB's ROI and Fundraiser Productivity data with the Board is part of our annual planning process, and the Board now proactively asks for it. This initiative alone makes the whole partnership worth it.

Brett Dunn, Vice President for University Advancement

Missouri State University

This is the most helpful professional development I've had. The topics are relevant, prompt good discussion, and I'm able to take away ideas I can start on Immediately.

VP Advancement

Large Public University

We were having difficulty convincing the board of how our shop compared to similar institutions. They thought we were underperforming, but our Advancement Benchmarking data from EAB showed them that our shop is actually understaffed and underinvested in. Being able to change the board's understanding of our advancement shop made Advancement Benchmarking worth the cost of the entire partnership.

VP Advancement

Large Public University
Trusted Senior Advisors

Partner with Experts

Each of our partners works with a dedicated Strategic Leader who learns your organization and culture to steer your team to the right answers and resources. Our advancement experts become an extension of your leadership team and expand the capacity of what you can accomplish.

Talk to an Expert
Maria Vance

Senior Director, Strategic Research

Specialties Organizational Design, Major and Principal Gifts, Annual Giving, Diversity and Inclusion, Mid-Level Giving
David Vuletich, Ph.D. MBA

Managing Director, Research Advisory Services

Specialties Academic Program Innovation, Board Relations, Budget Models, Cost Savings, Donor Investors

Interested in learning more about Advancement Advisory Services?

To speak with an expert or request a demo, please submit this form.

Latest Research and Insights

Blog

4 key data trends shaping higher education fundraising

Learn how staffing, donor cultivation, and compensation strategies all play a role in building successful higher education fundraising…
Advancement Blog
Blog

5 attributes defining Gen Z's relationship with advancement

This blog outlines five attributes that define Gen Z and how these will impact the generation’s relationship with…
Advancement Blog
Infographic

What distinguishes high-ROI advancement shops?

Download the infographic today to learn which areas your institutions should focus on to improve your ROI.
Advancement Advisory Services

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