Fall '23 Sparks of Genius Sessions
Join us for an upcoming Sparks of Genius session (or many!) this fall. In-person options will be shared with registrants one week before the event.
What are Sparks of Genius sessions?
- One-hour conversation sessions to “spark” new ways of thinking about advancement for the future
- Open to anyone in advancement across UI system, and sometimes the industry
- Dedicated theme for each session, which can be an aggregation of ideas (inspiration from other industries, the year in headlines, etc.) or a specific topic or idea
- Generally part presentation, part discussion and ideation
CASE Awards Edition – Creative Impact + Elevated Print
Thursday, September 14 | 10AM CT
Showcasing some of the most creative or surprising ideas from this year’s CASE Circle of Excellence Awards. This session is specifically focused on ways that peer institutions are celebrating donors and impact, along with new trends in publications
CASE Awards Edition – Milestones + Main Characters
Tuesday, September 19 | 11AM CT
Showcasing some of the most creative or surprising ideas from this year’s CASE Circle of Excellence Awards. This session is specifically focused on ways that peer institutions are celebrating milestones—anniversaries of their founding or of admitting female students, for example—and also, the different audiences that universities are putting at the center of their stories.
Mindset List Edition
Thursday, September 28 | 10AM CT
A peek into the mindset of today’s students and how we might want to reimagine advancement for future generations.
CASE Awards Edition – Top of Mind Issues + Research Connections
Wednesday, October 4 | 3PM CT
Showcasing some of the most creative or surprising ideas from this year’s CASE Circle of Excellence Awards. This session is specifically focused on critical topics today—like DEIB—and also, a glimpse into unique ways universities are celebrating, fundraising for, and sharing impact of research of campus.
Video Edition
Tuesday, October 10 | 10AM CT
From highly produced to off-the-cuff, hear how colleagues across the University (and the industry) are using video to connect with alumni and donors. Examples will include major gift prospect outreach, marketing, and stewardship initiatives.
CASE Awards Edition – Partnerships, Influencing for Good, + Scooped
Monday, October 16 | 2PM CT
Showcasing some of the most creative or surprising ideas from this year’s CASE Circle of Excellence Awards. This session is specifically focused on ways that advancement programs might partner with academic colleagues across campus, how some universities are leveraging influencers, and CASE award winners for ideas we’ve already had here at UI or have been doing for some time.
Video Edition – Hack Session
Thursday, October 26 | 3PM CT
Still curious about using video but aren’t sure how to use the tools UI has or aren’t quite comfortable on camera? Come learn some tips and tricks from colleagues who have been there and practice without pressure.
CASE Awards Edition – New Takes on Old Ways of Doing Business, Low Frequency/High Content, + The Kitchen Sink
Thursday, November 2 | 1:30PM CT
Showcasing some of the most creative or surprising ideas from this year’s CASE Circle of Excellence Awards. This session is specifically focused imaginative ways other institutions have put a new spin on old ideas, a trend toward fewer publications with more punch, and some of the best fundraising-specific ideas from the awards.
Generative AI + Advancement Edition – Overview Session
Monday, November 6 | 10AM CT
Still not sure what all this generative AI talk is all about? Learn from colleagues who have been using ChatGPT and other platforms regularly, understand the information security and privacy considerations, and start identifying ways that advancement might change with the future of AI.
CASE Awards Edition – Hack Session
Thursday, November 16 | 12PM CT
Have a few takeaways from the CASE Circle of Excellence Awards you’d like to discuss further to see how we might implement an idea here at Illinois? Open session for brainstorming and ideating with colleagues.
Generative AI + Advancement Edition – Hack Session
Tuesday, November 28 | 10AM CT
Participants must have either attended the Overview session or watched the recording
Your chance to play with prompts and AI platforms, alongside other newbies and more veteran GPT users.
Interests Edition – Hack Session
Thursday, December 5 | 4PM CT
As campaigns continue to evolve across the industry toward more interest or impact-based, big ideas, how can we better capture and understand prospect funding interests and impact opportunities that already exist? Help brainstorm and build the future of interest-based fundraising for the University of Illinois.
Year in the News Edition
Wednesday, December 13 | 10AM CT
A recap of 2023 in headlines—those from the advancement and philanthropy worlds and those from around the globe that might impact how we think about advancement in the future.
