Steps in developing a major college donor weekend program are outlined, including goal setting; tailoring events to reflect the best the institution has to offer; drafting an appropriate guest list; calculating costs; dealing with common problems such as low attendance, damaging media coverage, and guest list errors; and getting feedback. (MSE)

A guide to student fund-raising activities offers 10 rules for successful fund-raising, guidelines for selecting the appropriate kind of event or campaign, and 9 possibilities: selling a popular item; food functions; gaming/gambling events; sporting events; social events; social selling events; talent shows; services; and solicitation. (MSE)

Large, flashy college fund drives may be falling out of favor with alumni and friends of the institution. Advancement professionals recount their experiences and suggest ways to adapt campaigns to new needs and environments. Inherent problems with large campaigns are enumerated, and the importance of clear communication to audiences on and off…

Alumni leaders should be included in a school or college capital campaign drive. The alumni office can help find prospects, provide events and programs for fund raising, promote the campaign, involve alumni staff members. Alumni themselves can assist in campaign planning and inspire others to give by donating themselves. (MSE)

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education has adopted standards to guide colleges and universities in defining the purpose and length of fund-raising campaigns and in counting gifts. Debate over the standards has focused on the reporting of deferred gifts, government money, bequests, and other specific types of gifts. (MSE)

The University of Arizona's experience with a small-scale fund-raising project to establish a memorial scholarship illustrates that the development office's efforts in guiding a motivated group of donors can pay off. Planning elements included establishing a team, delegating tasks, handling mail and telephone calls, generating enthusiasm, and…

College and university fund-raising programs should have a written policy to make donor thank-yous part of office routine. Reviewing existing donor files can help codify existing policy and practice. Larger offices may need policies for different gift types and sizes. Innovative ways of recognizing donors, such as special events, gifts, and…

College alumni who are corporate directors have significant fund-raising potential. Charitable award programs allow corporate directors to designate nonprofit organizations to receive gifts when they die or retire; employee stock ownership programs can provide a private stock market for a potential donor seeking philanthropic opportunity and tax…

Many historically black colleges and universities want to take advantage of a strong economy and generous donors. Typically, even relatively wealthy institutions do not have the financial capabilities and access to wealthy benefactors that predominantly white institutions have accumulated and can use more money, either as a cushion against hard…

Advancement services, the group of functions that support fundraising and alumni relations, has evolved to include donor relations and stewardship, data processing analysis and programing, budget development and analysis, and event management. Centralizing these services under a single manager can lead to greater productivity. (MSE)

College and university Web site managers are offered advice for creative funding and staffing, including how to determine actual human, equipment, and financial resource needs; six ways to break out of the conventional funding paradigm (using existing resources well, using others' money, advertising, priority shifts, shared resources, and in-kind…