An actual case of successful university gift solicitation is chronicled from beginning to end, including identifying the prospect, doing appropriate research, setting a strategy, involving the prospect, making the request, closing the solicitation, and following up. Persistence and good communication skills were keys to success. (MSE)

Six college advancement professionals respond to a hypothetical case of across-the-board cuts in nonacademic departments by telling how they would make budgeting choices. The strategies used include involving senior advancement managers as a team, cultivating consensus, preserving priority projects, sharing responsibility among departments,…

The University of Notre Dame (Indiana) fund-raising program uses first-class transportation and hospitality in major donor weekends. Features include careful research, personalized correspondence, transportation provided by trustee-owned private planes, scheduled ground transportation, accommodations, information packets, and a weekend of…

Institutions are finding that a campus alumni center can bring a substantial return on the investment, in alumni events, visits to campus, and contributions. Institutions around the country are building new buildings, recycling existing buildings, and restoring historical landmarks as focal points for alumni activities. (MSE)

Colleges' innovative efforts to bring alumni to campus for reunions illustrate how effective provocative promotions can be. Ideas include a game theme in brochures (Lewis and Clark College, Oregon), distribution of a 40-minute video (Gilman School, Maryland), class-targeted brochures (American University, District of Columbia), and a four-mailing…

Describes the use of a public opinion research study to repair relationships at Mary Washington College (Virginia). Also offers case studies of how "town-gown" relations were fostered at four other higher education institutions and their local communities: Beloit College (Wisconsin); Oglala Lakota College (South Dakota); Midwestern State…

When nontraditional students become alumni, building loyalty takes creativity. For an urban campus and its alumni, it is important to clearly identify-and then offer programs to-specific constituencies within the alumni. The experiences of New York University are described. (MLW)

Guidelines are offered for making the most effective use of a college or university alumni board, including (1) analyzing the current membership, (2) identifying strong new members, and (3) working on motivation. A case study at Syracuse (New York) University is offered. Also addressed are increased conflicts with increased board involvement,…

The modest foundation that publisher DeWitt Wallace established for Macalester College (Minnesota) in 1981 suddenly became $200 million in 1990. Previous strategic planning has laid a foundation for decisions regarding use of the assets, which will be used to strengthen the faculty, curriculum, student opportunities, and facilities. (MSE)

Discusses the components of strategic planning in developing a fund-raising campaign for a college or university. Emphasizes the importance of setting priorities, and defines the characteristics of good priorities, such as boldness, being grounded in the institution's mission, and culminating in visible results. Includes a case study of the…

A questionnaire was sent to recipients listed in the "Gifts and Grants" section of "The Chronicle of Higher Education" to learn more about recent challenge grant experiences. The formulas for earning the matching funds were diverse. Some experiences with challenge grants are described. (MLW)

An interview with professor and journalist Jerry Footlick focuses on his recent book, "Truth and Consequences: How Colleges and Universities Respond to Public Crises," which presents case studies of how institutions deal with scandal, lawsuits, or other crises, focusing on media relations and the role of university public affairs staff. (MDM)

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)

The experiences of Emory University (Georgia) and other institutions with surveying faculty for opinions on the institution and its internal information systems suggest specific techniques for planning and carrying out a campus study and for using the results to improve organizational communication and climate. (MSE)

A number of colleges and universities with widely varying sizes and missions have used direct mail techniques to improve fund raising. Methods include use of fund-raising themes, checklists of reasons for donating, gift clubs, and challenge grants. Attention to direct communication, image, and repetition of the message are success factors. (MSE)