Fairmont State University

Internal Support for Campaign

• Participants were excited about the idea of a campaign
• That doesn't mean that there were no concerns
• Many felt that the relationship with the University needs to be improved
• We believe the campaign can be an opportunity to engage the University community

Engaging The University

• Governors
• President's Cabenet
• Deans & Faculty
• Staff

Leadership

• Campaign has to be THE top institutional priority
• Foundation Board and Board of Governors need to be engaged in the process
• 100% Board participation

Funding the Campaign

• Campaigns have a cost
• Typically requires between 10% 0 15% of the campaign goal
• This is over and above normal operating expense

University Support

• Invest in the Future
• Communications
• Alumni Association
• University Priorities/Facilities Plan
• Financial Support - Staffing

Increased Major Gift Effort

• The good news - You have prospects!
• FSU Foundation will need to increase staff to meet the challenge
• Fundraising has a cost

Increased Planned Giving Effort

• Planned giving is where transformational philanthropy lives
• A robust planned giving effort is central to the long-term health FSU
• Frontline fundraisers have to be able to talk about planned giving

Planned Giving Potential

• The planned giving potential in the database in significant
• Low end - $26,285,000
• High end - $163,870,000

Staffing

• The Foundation has more than 42,000 name in the database
• Impossible to work with this number with current staff
• Consider hiring two full-time major gift officers

Performance Metrics

• You have performance metrics in place - Excellent!
• Accountability is critical in this field
• Everyone should embrace a system of fair performance metrics

Prospect Portfolios

• Again, you have portfolios in place - kudos!
• Sound development work requires constant reprioritization
• Regular evaluation is required

Record Keeping

• There needs to be detailed contact reports entered for every meaningful donor interaction
• Should be tied to performance metrics

Wealth Screening

• Pre-campaign the Foundation should consider a comprehensive wealth screening

Locate and Engage Alumni

• Alumni clubs
• Events where there are clusters of alumni
• Major Gift Officers

Events

• Evaluate events for ROI
• Be honest with yourselves about what events cost

Regional Importance

• FSU is vital to the city, state and region
• FSU is an economic engine
• This is an important fact to remember in the Case

Desire to Help

• Many participants in the study were excited to help - Engage them!

Training

• Professional development for staff
• Training for volunteers

Pierpont

• There are questions that need to be answered before gifts for capital improvements are solicited
• Transparency

Questions