Ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of communication and record-keeping in college and university planned giving programs are outlined. Simple techniques are offered for using laptop computers, planned giving software, and institutional databases to improve access to information during travel and on campus. (MSE)

When an institution changes its name, adjusts enrollment patterns, merges with another institution, or undergoes any major change affecting its identity, alumni and donors signal their feelings through their giving. Careful attention must be paid to donor perceptions. (MSE)

The alumni association president can participate effectively in college fund-raising campaigns by developing a high-quality board, seeking appointments to campus committees, learning about fund raising, cultivating relationships, being a resource before and after the campaign, offering to participate, evaluating programs regularly, and reaping…

A survey of 344 colleges and universities investigated current practices concerning the dissemination of information, within the institution, about research funding opportunities. Results indicate that paper dominates electronic communication for such information dissemination, and selective, targeted distribution to faculty correlates positively…

As state budgets decline, colleges and universities continue to hire lobbyists as a cost-effective way to increase finances. Many institutions are lobbying for support of specific research projects, despite criticism of "pork-barrel science." Although small lobbying firms are popular, many larger firms are expanding to include higher education…

The chairman of the board of regents of a small, church-affiliated college discusses the need for and satisfaction derived from introducing potential donors to the college and the best of its campus life, particularly when the college is small, little known, and/or has a religious affiliation unfamiliar to prospective gift givers. (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)

Assumptions that graduate alumni are unresponsive to college fund-raising efforts are inaccurate. More often, the institution ignores them. Although graduate students may not feel affinity with a particular class, they can be reached. Some campus development programs have succeeded by building strong affiliations with deans, faculty, alumni, and…

Using a system of alumni class agents for college advancement can be effective, but common problems include weak class identity, large class size, overburdened staff, and poor class communication. Institutions can help by offering on-campus training for class agents, communicating regularly, and recognizing agents' contributions and successes.…

Interviews with 96 higher education administrators in Alberta (Canada) revealed that most view marketing to be activities used in attracting resources. Only a few Alberta institutions engage in marketing research or comprehensive marketing planning. Funding was considered a major constraint, but respondents predicted more institutions would adopt…

Need-blind admissions and need-based financial aid policies at selective private colleges are too expensive for most institutions to maintain. Private colleges that value diversity must aggressively pursue additional resources to support it, not relying on federal aid to pay the difference between their tuition and the selective public…

A centralized records database for advancement services saves time, money, and confusion. The centralized advancement services model works best when fundraisers and technical supporters work together in planning and setting strategy as well as on specific requests, concentrating on the same priorities. (MSE)

This study determined how the 12 academic libraries in the Council for Interinstitutional Cooperation (CIC) approached the challenge of identifying a constituency for fund-raising development activities. Topics discussed include results of a literature review; university organization for development activities; staffing; examples of achievements;…

Addresses the effects of fund raising on financial equity by examining the fund-raising activities of two (pseudonymous) school districts differing in many respects. Results show that higher socioeconomic schools can generate significantly more revenues through fund-raising activities than lower socioeconomic schools. Schools in wealthier…

An individual describes and discusses seven stages of giving through which he and his wife have passed, and two additional stages they are contemplating. They include: minimal response; involvement and interest; as much as possible; maximum allowable; beyond the maximum; percentage of wealth; capping wealth; reducing the cap; and bequests. (MSE)