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January 8, 2026
Building a High Impact Advancement Committee
How can a Development Committee move beyond reports and updates to become a true driver of philanthropic success?
In Building a High-Impact Development Committee, Catherine A. Voeks of The Compass Group offers a practical roadmap for strengthening one of the most critical—and often underutilized—board committees in independent schools. Grounded in current giving trends and real-world board experience, the article challenges schools to rethink how their Development Committees are structured, led, and engaged.
Key features of the article include:
- A clear articulation of purpose and roles for Development Committees, emphasizing partnership with the Head of School and Director of Development rather than passive oversight.
- Guiding questions for committee conversations that spark action, deepen trustee ownership, and strengthen donor relationships.
- Thoughtful guidance on committee composition, including the strategic use of trustees, non-trustees, and occasional school leaders to keep the work focused and impactful.
- Defined leadership roles for the Director of Development, Committee Chair, Head of School, and Board Chair—clarifying how each contributes to effective fundraising leadership.
- Suggested practices for meetings that matter, including agenda design, cadence, and strategies to shift from reporting to generative dialogue.
- Insight into how committee work evolves during a major campaign, clarifying the complementary roles of Development and Campaign Committees to ensure momentum without mission drift.
This article is a helpful resource for Board Chairs and Development Committee Chairs who want to build a stronger culture of philanthropy, engage trustees more meaningfully, and align fundraising leadership with the school’s long-term strategic priorities.
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