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Fundraising events often get a bad rap in higher education. Too much work, too little return, and a whole lot of stress. But what if events could actually work as a meaningful part of your fundraising strategy? In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom sits down with Roger Devine, founder of SchoolAuction.net, to unpack how experience-driven fundraising events can generate real results for colleges and universities, but without ice sculptures, endless lines, or burned-out staff. Devine shares his journey from publishing and tech to launching a fundraising platform born out of PTA frustration, and explains why so many institutions make events more complicated than they need to be. Together, Cheryl and Roger explore how putting the guest experience at the center of event design can improve donor satisfaction, boost participation, and increase long-term giving.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why fundraising events don’t have to just break even, and how to make them a meaningful revenue stream.
• How focusing on the guest experience directly impacts donor satisfaction and future giving.
• The role small and mid-level donors play in building long-term fundraising success.
• How to start with a simple event and scale strategically over time.
• The pros, cons, and hidden costs of common fundraising software pricing models.

Connect with Roger at [email protected].

Thanks for listening!

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