University Advancement

Building and engaging a network of alumni and friends in support of UNC students drives the work of the Alumni and Community Relations teams. There are four units within ACR: Alumni Relations, responsible for engaging and celebrating UNC’s growing population of alumni; Annual Giving, which solicits and stewards gifts from UNC’s alumni and friends through a holistic, pipeline-driven model; Career Readiness, located in the Campus Commons, which provides multifaceted career support to UNC students and leads the institution’s career readiness initiatives; and University Events, which plans and hosts marquee events like Commencement, Homecoming, and the annual Honored Alumni Awards.

Every gift to UNC, no matter the size or designation, will make a difference and advance UNC’s highest priority – its students. The Development team is responsible for managing relationships and philanthropic strategies that advance and support student education, faculty research, and community service, ultimately impacting the community. The Development team works closely with local, national and corporate constituents to connect donor passion with institutional priorities, including increasing student scholarship support and other initiatives within UNC’s ten-year strategic plan, Rowing, Not Drifting 2030. The Development team is currently in the planning stages of the Together, With Purpose Campaign, a nine-figure multi-year effort to raise gifts and commitments needed to help UNC deliver on its 2030 vision.

Advancement Operations provides the information infrastructure and services necessary to support all activities of the Division of University Advancement, as well as assist campus-wide departments and organizations with information needs in accordance with university policies and directives. Advancement Operations is committed to the ethical collection and use of information and follows all application laws as well as college policies governing the collection, use, maintenance and dissemination of information.

In alignment with UNC’s strategic plan, the marketing and communications team drives the communication strategy and market development that helps UNC accomplish its priority of becoming a Student First university. The team employs storytelling, media engagement, marketing, and creative services, as well as effective brand management, to aid admissions in recruiting future Bears, amplify faculty research and scholarship, celebrate the success of alumni achievements, and demonstrate the impact of philanthropic involvement. The team is also responsible for publishing the biannual UNC Magazine.

With leadership from its President and Board of Directors, the University of Northern Colorado Foundation is entrusted to provide support and steward donations for the University of Northern Colorado and, as such, works in alignment with University Advancement and is seen as a critical department within the greater advancement team.

In 1966, in an initiative led by Judy Farr, ’36, one of Greeley’s most prominent leaders, along with other alumni and community leaders, the Colorado State College Foundation, now the University of Northern Colorado Foundation, was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) for the purpose of promoting the general welfare and growth of the University of Northern Colorado. Since its inception, the Foundation has accrued over $145 million in endowed and current-use assets through university fundraising efforts and investment growth, and it provides a significant source of enhanced financial assistance for scholarships, faculty support, and program enhancements.

The staff of the Foundation works across the units of University Advancement to enhance the Division’s work in support of UNC.