Enthusiastically engage alumni and friends to invest in Transylvania’s future through a campaign and other fundraising initiatives to bolster the strength of the university.
4.1 Complete the next phase of a comprehensive fundraising campaign.
4.1.A | Develop strategy to recognize, steward and celebrate success of first phase, while establishing connectivity to the next phase of the campaign. | ![]() |
Interviewed candidates and selected firm to serve as campaign readiness consultants; began engagement December 2021. |
4.1.B | Fulfill campaign fundraising priority areas as identified in the Strategic Focus plan. | ![]() |
Began engagement December 2021; In-house internal readiness assessment completed and provided to consultant. Consultant has completed their own internal readiness assessment. Staff developing action plans to implement recommendations. |
4.2 Implement an annual, comprehensive advancement strategic plan with achievable fundraising goals and actions.
4.2.A | Reconstitute a donor pipeline by delivering segmented educational and appeal messages. | ![]() |
Communications plans for various operational areas (annual giving, planned giving, alumni relations, young alumni) completed. |
4.2.B | Increase focus on, and productivity within, planned giving and foundation fundraising. | ![]() |
Submitted foundation proposals have already exceeded the 10% increase level. Gift officers have participated in planned giving webinars related to discussing planned giving with prospects. |
4.3 Increase alumni engagement through participation in university events, programs and philanthropy.
4.3.A | Expand virtual activities and events to full alumni base. | ![]() |
Very few virtual events in the first half of the fiscal year with focus on in-person Alumni Weekend; COVID impacted efforts to have traditional alumni game events, monitoring for spring events. |
4.3.B | Foster young alumni through specific programming that includes their involvement, leadership and support. | ![]() |
Young Alumni participated in two larger programs and working on one program specifically for young alumni. |
4.3.C | Emphasize the importance of alumni to the university’s fundraising success. | ![]() |
Completed both an online alumni magazine readership survey and an online alumni engagement survey; Will be implementing an engagement program to encourage (1) annual giving, (2) attendance at live and virtual events, (3) advocacy, including admissions and CAPE assistance, social media, other volunteer avenues. |
4.4 Implement a comprehensive marketing plan to support the campaign and other fundraising efforts.
4.4.A | Implement bold and cohesive campaign messaging. | ![]() |
Interviewed candidates and selected firm to serve as Campaign Readiness consultants; began engagement December 2021. |
4.4.B | Implement an education initiative directed at alumni/donors to inform them of the changing dynamics, demographics and needs of current and future students, assuring donors of their impact and positive progress. | ![]() |
Annual giving communications have focused on the impact of the Transylvania Fund on keeping Transy affordable for deserving students. Leadership giving/planned giving communications have highlighted tax advantages of IRA rollovers and gifts of appreciated securities, as well as the CARES Act provision allowing non-itemizers a $300 charitable gift deduction. |
Completed
In progress