Advance Gathering - The Champion Group

APRIL 6–8, 2027 · ONWARD CHURCH · FRISCO, TEXAS

Build Leaders. Strengthen Schools. Fund the Mission.

Early-Bird Registration:
$249 per person through February 1
$399 per person beginning February 2.

Registration includes Birkman Assessment, workbook and materials, meals, and follow-up support.

WHY ADVANCE

Every School Has a Mission Worth Funding

You carry your school’s mission every day. ADVANCE gives you three days to step back, identify what matters most, and align your leadership, enrollment, and fundraising efforts around a practical plan.

With guided working sessions and outside perspective, you’ll build a 12-month roadmap and a focused 90-day action plan, with follow-up support from The Champion Group to help you move forward.

Step away. Think together. Build what comes next.

Who should attend?
Heads of school, board members, and development and admissions leaders. Come on your own or bring your team.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Three Days to Build Your Plan

Before You Arrive

Complete the Birkman Assessment and gather school data to understand your leadership and inform your plan.

Over Three Days

Build a 12-month roadmap across development and admissions, with an owner for every action.

After You Leave

Leave with a 90-day action plan and follow-up support from The Champion Group to help you put it into practice.

FROM THE 2026 GATHERING

What Leaders Are Saying

One of the things that’s been so great to think about this week is how important it is to advance our mission among all the constituents of our school, from prospective families all the way through graduates and their families, and what a privilege it is to shepherd their affection over time.

Andrea DealeChief Advancement Officer - Covenant Classical School

This week has been amazing, not only from worship, but learning what true advancement really is. I thought I knew what it was, but it’s so much more. Working with the Champion Group has been such a huge blessing. Ending in worship last night was phenomenal.

JENNIFER MITCHELLHead of School - Cornerstone Christian Academy

My time at the Gathering, changed the way I think about advancement and how we organize all of our strategies into one line. Oftentimes we want to departmentalize those things, but I’m seeing how they actually touch every department of the school.

BRIAN GUENTHERPresident & CEO - San Marcos Academy

I had a chance to network and meet a lot of people who are going through the journey that we’re entering into. I’ve been excited to listen to their stories and learn from them, to gain an idea of what they’ve found to be successful, as well as some of the things we can avoid.

JOHN STONEFounder - Imago Dei

What’s resonated most with me is that executing on our educational goals is really half the battle. Without financial stability, that part can’t happen. It has encouraged me to go back to my school, my board, my faculty and staff, and my parents and say, ‘We have to have this ingredient rock solid so we can execute our educational goals.’

DAVID LONGHead of School - Evangel Classical Christian School

Don’t Miss Advance 2027

Early-Bird Registration:
$249 per person through February 1
$399 per person beginning February 2.