This six-part virtual workshop series will bring Campus Compact members together for shared learning and dialogue on resource cultivation and fundraising for civic and community engagement. Throughout the series, attendees will:

  • Learn from community engagement professionals and leaders who have successfully generated significant support to endow their centers, support faculty, engaged scholarship and teaching, and/or support specific programs
  • Hear directly from development professionals on effective strategies for collaborating, what pitfalls to avoid, and what they need in order to support your priorities
  • Engage in dialogue with fellow attendees around this topic

These workshops are open to active Campus Compact members and are a benefit of Campus Compact membership. If you have a question about your member status, please contact Natalie at nfurlett@compact.org.

Available Sessions

Session 1 - Building confidence and making sense of fundraising for community and civic engagement
Tuesday, February 28, 20232:30 PM - 3:30 PM (EST)

Dr. David Weerts, a recognized expert and leader in resource development for community engagement, will kick-off the series. During this session David will provide attendees with a landscape of fundraising and resource development in the community/civic engagement field. This will include discussing successful strategies in the field, how to overcome challenges in working effectively with your institution’s development team, and how to build your confidence in advancing your agenda and navigating the fundraising process. Attendees will be engaged throughout the workshop in small groups and interactive exercises.

David Weerts is a professor of higher education and the faculty director for academic planning and programs in the Office for Public Engagement at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He also serves as director of the Engagement Academy for University Leaders.

Recommended pre-reading:
Weerts, D.J.. (2019). Resource development and the community engagement professional: Building and sustaining engaged institutions. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement. 23. 9-34.

Session 2 - Showcase of donor-funded civic and community engagement centers
Tuesday, March 28, 2023 (EDT)

Asynchronous session—This session takes place live at the TRUCEN Annual Meeting. Select the session here to be sent a recording of that talk in early April.

Four executive directors and senior leaders will share their paths for garnering major gifts and endowments to support their centers.  This will include time for attendees to ask questions and dig deeper with presenters.

Session 3 - Showcase of donor-funded professorships, programs, and initiatives
Tuesday, April 25, 20231:30 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)

During this second showcase session, participants will hear from campus leaders that have successfully garnered resources for dedicated projects and professorships.  Time will be allocated to ensure attendees can ask questions and connect directly with presenters.

  • JAG Public Services Fellows Program (Muskingum University) 
    • Brian King, Associate Professor of Political Science and Co-Director, John and Annie Glenn Public Service Fellows Program 
    • Keith Eberly, Associate Professor of Education and Co-Director, John and Annie Glenn Public Service Fellows Program 
  • McCormick Internship Program and Steans Graduate Fellowship (DePaul University) 
  • Padnos/Sarosik Endowed Professor of Civil Discourse (Grand Valley State University)
    Occasionally, inspired donors come to the institution with an idea that also inspires us. At Grand Valley State University, we have been able to craft a vision together with supporters and move towards making a difference in building a civil society—a society in which we listen to one another. The Padnos/Sarosik Endowed Professorship of Civil Discourse grew out of this joint vision and is a program that elevates the civil discourse and dialogue work of the endowed professor who is selected through a competitive process. As part of the professorship, the Endowed Professor develops an undergraduate course and public symposium which facilitate the use of civil discourse in examining divergent views about a contemporary issue.   
    • Lisa Perhamus, Director of the Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civic Discourse and Associate Professor in the Foundations of Education Program
    • Mark Schaub, Dean, Brooks Colleg of Interdisciplinary Studies

If you register today for sessions 1, 2, or 3, we will notify you when sessions 4-6 become available so that you may add them to your registration.

Coming soon

A panel of fundraisers and development professionals will share what community engagement professionals need to know in order to effectively communicate their vision and needs.

This session will feature field leaders who have successfully garnered state and local government appropriations to advance civic engagement priorities. We’ll also welcome government relations professionals to the session to share tips and approaches for being an effective collaborator.

David Weerts will return to facilitate an interactive session with participants to uncover key learnings and takeaways.  Compact will also be seeking ideas and recommendations for future programming and resources that can support members in advancing their fundraising and resource cultivation priorities going forward.