University Advancement

University Advancement Strategic Plan Goals and Tactics   

Updated May 9, 2019

- Tentative based on aligning with Academic Affairs and Student Affairs identified goals.    

- All of Advancement's Goals are in support of the University's 4 Strategic Planning Priorities: Student Succes, Academic Excellence & Innovation, Leadership Cultivation,Transformative Impact

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Priority #2: Academic Excellence and Innovation

GOAL

TACTIC

Successfully achieve annual fundraising goal every year ($9.5
million in 18/19).

Increase the number of donors participating in the SSU Annual Fund and Alumni giving programs, with a focus on involving parents and other allies

Work with individual schools and divisions to implement coordinated Annual Fund campaigns and appeals based on the university-
wide fundraising plan

Support Directors of Development to prioritize direct relationship building with major donors and prospects and thereby achieve annual fundraising goals

Steward Nichols Society Members and OLLI students and set benchmarks for growing the planned giving program

Keep up with current best practices and be sure all team members have access to professional development opportunities

Establish early and detailed goals to support our annual fundraising plan. Visit on a regular basis to adjust and make timely changes.

Consider reorganizing some Directors of Development work to focus less on school support and more on joint support of high-priority projects (e.g. first-generation/low-income programs, maker initiatives, etc.)

Priority #3: Leadership Cultivation

GOAL

TACTIC

Establish a culture of philanthropy where our entire community (donors, alumni, friends, faculty, staff and community members) have opportunities to engage with our mission in meaningful ways.

Educate deans, faculty, and staff on the role and ROI of Advancement and engage them in creating a culture of philanthropy

Enhance Development Communications and Stewardship functions

Develop a university-wide collaborative fundraising plan for more integrated annual giving and structured campaign(s) aligned with the university’s strategic priorities, which includes active leadership/participation of faculty and staff

Activate the SSU Alumni Association as the primary alumni engagement organization

Increase the number of alumni, friends, and students participating as active volunteers, advocates, and board members

Continue to improve and enhance Advancement division initiatives in alumni engagement, annual giving, strategic communications,
advancement operations and major gift fundraising

Identify and develop our institution's boards to support a culture of giving and philanthropy

Create and implement a stewardship plan for individual and corporate donors

   

Position the Alumni Association as a vibrant and robust community that engages alumni in meaningful ways and prepares students to become engaged alumni

Undergo Strategic Planning session with the Alumni Association Board of Directors to align and integrate with Advancement and University Strategic Plans

Priority #4: Transformative Impact

GOAL

TACTIC

Explore and implement structure to support leadership phase of future comprehensive campaign

Create and expand our donor pipeline

Cultivate top campaign donor prospects

Enhance software and systems to optimize efficiency and productivity, including improving the integrity and integration of the donor
databases and expanding donor prospect research and management efforts.

Complete a capital campaign feasibility study

Establish a comprehensive campaign committee that includes staff, faculty, students, parents, alumni, business leaders,
community/friends, and elected officials, in order to diversify the donor support base

Create a comprehensive campaign plan that establishes a goal and funding priorities, identifies prospects, creates collateral (including a Case for Support) and donor recognition opportunities, outlines roles and responsibilities, and sets a timeline and budget.

Provide Advancement staff with comprehensive campaign training opportunities

Continue to develop an integrated Advancement division that works collaboratively and synergistically across units and programs

Align division structure, staffing and resources to prepare for comprehensive campaign

Improve retainment/turnover of Advancement personnel

Raise funds for key programs identified by Academic Affairs and Student Affairs divisions

   

Transition the SSU Foundation to a philanthropic organization supporting advancement, to complement its asset and endowment management functions

Review the current relationship between the SSU Foundation and the University to improve effectiveness and efficiency of our partnership. Work with Administration and Finance division colleagues to:
a) Explore establishing the SSU Foundation as the gift acceptance destination, responsible and accountable for acknowledgement and management for all university gifts
b) Evaluate the amount and use of assessment to endowment earnings for the SSU Foundation operating budget.
c) Explore software for endowment unitization and reporting
d) Review current gift fee policy and recommend modifications
e) Re-evaluate holding real estate as an investment in the SSU Foundation endowment and consider alternate campus owner of townhomes for workforce housing
f) Explore potential grants and contracts alignment with SSU Foundation

Strategically grow community representatives on the Board with major giving prospects

Adjust governing structure of Board/Committees/Leadership to match with best practices

Undergo enhanced and expanded Board meeting including Strategic Planning session with objective to align and integrate Foundation with Advancement and University Strategic Plans

Define SSUF purpose and/or mission/vision/values statements

Undergo self-assessment process to improve operations, establish benchmarks and growth targets, evaluate governance practices and plan measurable goals for the Board

Meet or exceed CSU peer group for % growth of the SSU Endowment to further support student scholarships and academic programs