It often seems as though many fundraisers are allergic to the concept of measurable performance goals and accountability for development officers. However, goals are critical for individuals and organizations; without them, success can neither be defined nor understood. This article describes how one development shop improved accountability and…

Concerns about the cost of higher education and student loan debt have resulted in increasing efforts by policymakers and university administrators to find alternative ways to support the financing of higher education for students. The authors present a case study of a student-led philanthropy campaign to generate funding for social work student…

Successful investing for long-term funds requires a strategic plan. This is true despite--indeed, because of--the fact that the future is unknowable. The plan must be specific, embodying in concrete terms the best thinking of the board of trustees about the investment pool, its goals and purposes; but it also needs to be sufficiently flexible to…

Many people donate books to libraries, but too often they are titles that the librarians cannot use because they are usually too old, too passe, or too tattered and worn to be added to the library collection, and so they end up in library sales. Librarians in Riverside County, California and members of the Library Systems & Services, LLC (LSSI)…

The experiences of three institutions (Oberlin College, Ohio; University of Nebraska; and St. Christopher's School, Virginia) illustrate how effective a carefully developed marketing scheme for planned giving can be. Staffing, budgets, average funds raised, and average deferred gifts are reported for each. (MSE)

A comprehensive study of Stanford University giving capacity of alumni and friends is described. The mission was to identify new donor prospects and to review perceptions of the people already identified. Some 1,200 new volunteers were involved. (MLW)

Six institutions' successful annual fund drives are described. St. Stephen's School keeps its constituents informed of giving participation and fosters a competitive spirit by using agents for each alumni class and parent representatives for each school grade. Ohio University cultivates annual gifts through a gift club for local donors. (MLW)

The case statement ranks as the most important piece of literature in a fund-raising campaign. It describes the purpose, program, and financial needs of the institution. Ways to approach writing case statements are provided. (MLW)

Ways to establish a senior class gift and pledge program are discussed. Senior gift campaigns solicit an out-right cash gift, collected before graduation. Pledge programs can run anywhere from a 1-year commitment, to a 25-year commitment. (MLW)

Applying prospect research techniques to donors on the college or university annual fund rolls can be effective without high cost. Simple segmenting can be done by manipulating existing computer files, as illustrated by the experience of a number of institutions. Using commercial analysis services can also be cost effective. (MSE)

Senior development officers of the 56 member institutions of the Association of American Universities were surveyed to learn about the scope of their prospect research programs. Scope of programs, prospect research approaches, and information resources are discussed. (MLW)

Capital campaign strategies that helped rally support for seven community colleges are described. An attractive college profile, enthusiastic volunteers, effective training, community contacts, and high internal morale helped create good donor support. (MLW)

The experiences of Aurora University, a small university that not only raised money but established new links with donors, are described. The key to fund raising is selling an idea. As donors become more sophisticated, sentiment and traditional patterns play a less significant role in motivating donors. (MLW)

Emory University (Georgia) has advanced its fundraising by leveraging a $2 million challenge from the Coca-Cola Foundation. The school publicized the challenge, made the case for an added incentive to give, and integrated advancement functions to get greater results. Challenge grants can come from industry, foundations, and alumni; and careful…

This essay explores the implication of venture philanthropy for higher education fund raising. The author provides a detailed description of venture philanthropy, including the social context driving its development. Then, the benefits brought to higher education by this style of philanthropy are explored. Finally, a single example of venture…