The Big Ten Fund Raisers Institute
Conference and Retreat
August 3-6, 2024
Grand Geneva Hotel
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Accepted applicants received a link to finalize their registration by email. Please register by May 12. Contact btfri@northwestern.edu if you need registration instructions re-sent.
What is BTFRI?
Who should attend?
BTFRI will reinvigorate your enthusiasm for higher education development.
If you’re a development leader in higher education who seeks a unique opportunity to discuss the latest ideas and challenges in development among your accomplished peers, we invite you to apply to attend our conference in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
What can you expect at BTFRI?
BTRFI faculty and presenters will discuss the latest fundraising challenges and inequities and share creative and inclusive ways to take advantage of new opportunities in higher education philanthropy.
Attendees will have numerous opportunities to exchange ideas and experiences with Institute faculty, presenters, and additional exceptional leaders in advancement to reassess their development strategies and think creatively and collaboratively.
For more than 50 years, BTFRI has been organized by a team of distinguished faculty leaders. BTFRI’s current faculty include senior leaders from several prominent institutions.
Access the registration page to determine whether BTFRI could be a good fit for you.
Already attending BTFRI? Find travel and accommodations information here.
Words from past attendees . . .
It was such a privilege to represent Indiana University Foundation at BTFRI, learning and connecting with colleagues from around the country and world. The faculty was fantastic, and provided us with engaging, thoughtful, and informative sessions. Their dedication to this experience is much appreciated. I was equally grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many dedicated professionals, each of us eager to learn and grow in our work. I look forward to putting my learning into practice.
Casey Chell
Associate Vice President, Regional Campuses Indiana University
While I eagerly anticipated the conversations outlined in the itinerary, the time together delivered so much more than current thoughts on the state of the industry. BTFRI arranges ample time to interact directly with the faculty, as well as get to know your fellow attendees. You leave with 30 new professional contacts you can reach out to for advice in the years ahead.
Cathy Hain
Associate Vice President for Advancement, Rochester Institute of Technology
Big Ten Fundraising Institute was a phenomenal opportunity for professional development. It was opportunity to meet similarly talented and motivated leaders who are looking to move our profession and respective institutions forward and maximize the impact our work has on students and higher education. Having these conversations with the BTFRI faculty – the absolute pinnacle of Sr. Leadership in higher education advancement leadership – proved invaluable and helped me reframe thinking and accelerate strategies we are rolling out. I would strongly recommend BTFRI for a motivated, talented leader looking to take their operation to the next level.
Shams Khan
Chief Development and Alumni Relations Officer for Arts and Sciences, The Ohio State University
If you seek to surround yourself with kind, intelligent, and ambitious people from around the world who will grow and advance your knowledge of and leadership within fundraising, BTFRI is the place for you.
Todd Mattox
Senior Director of Development, University of Nebraska Foundation
Attending the 2022 Big Ten Fundraisers Institute was an incredible opportunity to learn from the most accomplished fundraising professionals in the field alongside colleagues across the Big Ten who were genuinely interested in helping each other. We shared insights from our various roles, helped connect dots for each other, and gained valuable perspective that I still benefit from today. It was unforgettable and I would encourage anyone with an opportunity to join, to do so!
Divine Tabios
Senior Director of Development, Rutgers University
BTFRI was an incredible experience. I came to the conference not knowing a single colleague from other institutions and left with dozens of connections and friendships. The content, conversations and engaging presentations left me feeling both affirmed and energized to return to campus and continue our important work! Andrew West, UT Austin, Chief Development Officer, Jackson School of Geosciences.