Our Program

In 2016, VCU publicly announced its $750,000,000 Make it Real Campaign, the largest and most impactful in its history. The campaign concluded on June 30, 2020, exceeding its goal and reaching a grand total of $841,606,604. Nationally recognized as a higher education campaign expert, Vice President Jay Davenport will outline the planning process, outcomes, and lessons learned.  These lessons are applicable to any organization and can drive strategy for nonprofits big and small to dramatically increase philanthropy for your cause.

Approved for 1 hour of CFRE credit.

Our Presenter

Jay Davenport, CFRE serves as Vice President of Development & Alumni Relations for Virginia Commonwealth University and VCU Health. As VCU’s chief development and alumni officer, he leads fundraising and engagement efforts for the university, health sciences division, and VCU Health. Areas under his purview include advancement services, alumni relations, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, development and alumni communications, donor relations, planned giving, presidential advancement, principal giving, regional philanthropy and the university-wide development staff.

Jay has previously led fundraising teams at Wake Forest University, including assistant vice president of college development, assistant vice president of major gifts, and associate vice president and campaign director. He has also served as director of development and team leader at Rice University and held fundraising positions as a college development director at the University of Memphis College of Business and Wright State University College of Engineering. He began his higher education career as an assistant dean of admissions at Wittenberg University.

Jay currently serves on the Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish of Greater Virginia and the Benedictine Schools of Richmond. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Xavier University and a master's degree in higher education administration from Ball State University.

Our Schedule

• 11:30 a.m. In-person Registration begins
• 12 p.m. Program begins
• 1:15 p.m. Adjourn

Registration Fees

In-person registration is $20 for members ($0 for those with a Season Pass), $25 for nonmembers who work at a member organization, and $30 for guests. All in-person registrants should select their meal during the registration process.

Virtual registration is $8 for members, $11 for nonmembers who work at a member organization and $15 for nonmembers. The virtual registration fees help support the technology costs associated with offering a hybrid event.

• If you are not a VAFRE member and do nor work in the office of a VAFRE member, consider becoming a member of VAFRE in order to access reduced registration fees.