May 07 Webinar 

Reimagining Scholarship Stewardship: Balancing Equity, Impact, and Donor Engagement

Webinar Recording
Presentation Slides

About the Webinar

What happens when a university reimagines scholarship stewardship to align with its mission and commitment to equity? Colorado State University took on that challenge by eliminating student barriers, safeguarding privacy, and fostering more transparent donor practices. This session shares the strategies, collaborations, and leadership that fueled this transformation, ensuring scholarship stewardship better serves students, donors, and the broader university community. Through interactive participation, real-world examples, and dynamic discussion, attendees will explore how CSU shifted from traditional stewardship to a values-driven, data-informed approach. Now three years into this model, we'll share what our fundraising data reveals about its lasting impact. Whether you're refining stewardship practices, navigating institutional change, or strengthening cross-campus partnerships, you'll leave with practical tools and inspiration to create meaningful, mission-aligned change at your own institution.

Learning Objectives

  • Unpack the inherent power dynamics in fundraising and the responsibility donor relations has to balance that among historical stewardship practices.
  • Align scholarship stewardship programs with institutional values to enhance impact for students and donors.
  • Explore the power of cross-department collaboration in driving successful programmatic change.
  • Identify common challenges in scholarship stewardship reform and develop strategies for overcoming them.
  • Discuss healthy and equitable ways to involve scholarship recipients in stewardship efforts

Target Audience

Shop Size

Experience Level

Private College/University, Public College/University, Private Secondary School, Social Services

Suitable for all size shops

Suitable for all experience levels


About the Presenters

Katie Brayden, Managing Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship, Colorado State University

Rooted in gratitude, Katie thrives where data, strategy, and storytelling meet. With 17+ years at Colorado State University, she's advanced two campaigns and served in donor relations, fundraising, and scholarship administration roles - blending analysis and heart to create meaningful, lasting impact.

Thank You To Our 2026 Webinar Sponsor


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