8 steps to structure your higher ed.’s case for support.
Writing your higher ed. institution’s case for support is a daunting but noble endeavor. The pressure to find the right words to garner sufficient support can be stifling. To make your asking easier, let’s clear up a couple of things: Now that you’re thinking in the right direction, use our content outline to help you […]
Why sharing alumni relationships is critical for your higher ed. fundraising and development efforts.
There’s little that can be done at your institution without strong, mutually supportive relationships. Look to any productive academic department, research lab, or administrative office and you’ll find them. Fulfilling your institution’s strategic plan and realizing your institution’s missions depends on open lines of communication. However, concerns and hesitations can arise when it comes to […]
Every higher ed. marketing campaign is a fundraising opportunity in disguise. Here’s why.
Recruitment and retention campaigns have certain audiences: Prospective students, staff, and current students. But do you know who else sees those messages? Current and prospective donors. Which means the messages you’re sending to students have the potential to resonate with your donors, too. And resonate they must, otherwise you miss out on countless opportunities to […]
Your guide to writing a great higher ed. case for support.
Writing a case for support is hard. Securing support for your higher ed. institution’s needs depends on finding the right words to inspire and motivate the right people. And you aren’t only targeting major donors and alumni. You also need to authentically reflect opportunities for students, appeal to the priorities of members of the government, […]
Stop making students ask for money in your fundraising campaigns. Do this instead.
There are many things that are better in theory than reality, like adding an extra shot of espresso to your coffee before your last meeting of the day. Or staying up late preparing for an important speech to stakeholders scheduled for early the next morning. Add to the list: Leaning on your students to make […]
This time, it’s personal: Right-fit messaging for the higher ed. every-donor.
Step outside your office and go for a walk on your campus. Observe the multifaceted makeup of your institution: Tenured professors, timid freshmen, stubborn fifth-year seniors. At one point you spoke to each of them in a targeted way to recruit them to join your institution. Do you employ the same tactic to the multifaceted […]
You need a hero: Storytelling subjects in your institution’s fundraising campaigns.
When it comes to higher education fundraising initiatives, storytelling as a strategy is tried-and-true. You’ve probably been using it as a tactic to raise support for a while. But if you feel like your storytelling’s gone a little stale, sorry to say it probably has. Before you dive into (yet another) navel-gazing narrative revolving around […]
The one thing to remember when writing your higher education case for support.
When you’re tasked with writing your higher education institution’s case for support, a blank page is daunting. There are millions of dollars (which really, is just a proxy for scholarships, research chairs, graduate student support and fellowships, new facilities and existing upgrades) riding on finding the right words. Your case needs to articulate a financial or […]
How soliciting for donations right now could compromise your brand (and better ways to engage alumni in unprecedented times).
I’m on a WhatsApp chat with a good group of guys. We mostly share funny memes, release dates for new Jordans, and thoughts on whatever sporting event is live at that moment (which right now, is no sporting events). Occasionally, one of the members will share something that strikes them as particularly remarkable. And we’ll […]