1F | 18 Months in the Trenches: How I Survived My First Year and a Half as a One- Person Donor Relations Shop

Tuesday, Sept. 26
10:00 - 11:00 AM

Sector
Private College/University, Public College/University

Experience Level
Newcomer (0 - 3 years)

Shop Size
Small Shop (1-5 staff)

Category
Professional Development

Working in a one-person shop is never easy. And while it can sometimes feel overwhelming and isolating, it is also an exhilarating challenge.

After seven years in development at one of the largest universities in the country, Alta Compton transitioned to a first-time donor relations role at a small private liberal arts college. She will share her tips for surviving and thriving as the entire donor relations operation and provide a simple road map for excelling in your first year as a donor relations professional. No matter the size of your shop, this session will provide tips for finding your way during your first year.

Alta Compton

Alta Compton is the Donor Relations Officer for Trinity University in San Antonio, where she handles everything from Presidential level stewardship and endowment reporting to tracking down students for thank-you notes and occasionally dressing as the University mascot. She started her development career in donor research before spending six years working in support roles for the major gifts and executive teams in the University of Texas at Austin. She holds a master’s degree in information studies from the University of Texas at Austin, and bachelor's degree in history from Colorado State University.