Fundraising in Higher Education:Reflections of a Spouse

AASCU Spouse/PartnerAnnual Meeting

Mary Van GalenAssociate of the Chancellor

University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Why Do We Engage in Fundraising/Friendraising?

Higher Education Provides Opportunity…

To Change Lives

An Opportunity They Never Had

An Opportunity to Explore

An Opportunity to Enjoy

An Opportunity to Succeed

An Opportunity to Pay Forward

For Future Generations

Most donors say that knowing the IMPACT of their gift is more important than “recognition”

Active Listening

A Few Golden Rules

Respect and Support the Development Staff

“I will respect and support the

development staff!”

Practice Good Stewardship “I will be a good steward of

university resources”

Spread the Good News

The “90/10 Rule”

90% of the dollars will come from 10% of the donors

It is better to build strong relationships with a small

number of key prospects, than inconsistent relationships with

many prospects

The Fundraising Cycle

Identification

Stewardship Cultivation

Solicitation

The Capital (Comprehensive) Campaign

An institutional effort to raise a specific amount of money for a specific purpose in a defined period of time.

A Major Capital Campaign

Requires strong commitment from entire institution, including Boards and the President.

Feasibility study often conducted to help establish campaign priorities and preliminary goal.

Usually involves a quiet phase (2-3 years) and a public phase (2-3 years).

Leadership gifts are absolutely essential for campaign success.

Predicted gift distribution for a $20 million capital campaign

Gift category Total $ amount

Number of gifts

Lead gifts (> $500,000)

$8.9 million

8

Major gifts ($50,000 - $499,999)

$6.7 million

56

General gifts (< $50,000)

$4.4 million

many

TOTAL $20 million

Influencing Major Gift Decisions

Prospective donors report that their decision to make a gift is most influenced by:

A. a former classmate or other alumB. a volunteer leader (trustee or alumni

representative)C. a faculty member

D. a development officer or alumni officer E. the president or dean

Decision to Give Most Influenced by...Source: Bentz Whaley Flessner Survey

Public College/ University

Private College/ University

A former classmate or other alum

36% 35%

A volunteer leader (trustee or alumni representative)

18% 20%

A faculty member 21% 14%A development or alumni officer

12% 13%

The president or dean 13% 18%

Creativity in Fundraising/Friendraising

Thinking outside the box

Creative Engagement

The “ARGO Chef” Competition

Fundraising- Friendraising - Stewardship

“Bowls For Hope” 2010

Local Artists

COMMUNITY

UNIVERSITY

Local

LEADERS

Fundraising: Providing Opportunity to Invest in Something Larger than Ourselves

“Try not to become a person of success, but rather a person of value”

- Albert Einstein

Homework: Fundraising Vocabulary

Foundation University Advancement Development Officer Annual Fund Major Gifts Planned Gifts Prospect Research Stewardship/Donor Recognition Endowment Donor Bill of Rights

(www.afpnet.org)