Fund Raising: Lessons Learned

Richard L. Schwab

University of Connecticut

Know Where You are Going

1. Strategic Plan for School/College Vision Benchmarks – actions & target completion dates Reallocation and focus Tied to university

Fund raising plan Tied to strategic plan Bold but doable

Sell where you are going

How do you communicate your vision Fund raising plan PR plan for college/school 2 minute drill

It takes a village (inside)

Support from faculty and students

Support from above: President, Provost, Foundation President

Development officer(s) Support staff behind them Researcher, connector, reminder Hiring and Holding accountable

It takes a community (outside)

Alumni- Friend raising

Advisory/Development Boards

Peers- CADREI

Politico’s

It takes trust

Donor relations First gift not the last-

Personal touch PR demonstrating impact of funding Receiver communication Managing internal competition Tchotchke

It takes a Focus on the Future- Giving options

Deferred gifts

Recurring annual commitment

Endowed gift 5-year plan

Adding to existing endowed gifts, “challenge” gifts

Special projects and one-time asks

Lesson from your case study

Reflect on how you or someone close to you obtained a major gift (s) ?

What can you add to this list ?

Questions you have for fund raising