December Guest Speaker Series: Dr. Wayne Webster

The PASC Guest Speaker Series continued in December with Dr. Wayne Webster, UNC’s Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations. Vice President Webster gave a presentation titled “Development & Alumni Relations Strategic Direction” and, afterward, answered questions from attendees.

The first part of VP Webster’s presentation provided context for the current state of fundraising and programming offered by UNC’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations.

• About six years ago, UNC assumed oversight of development and alumni relations operations and, in so doing, formed the Division of Development and Alumni Relations. Prior to this, these teams were operating under the purview of the UNC Foundation and were somewhat decentralized.
• The operational payoff of bringing Dev & AR together into a centralized division has been significant:
  
  • $4,765,240 average giving from FY (fiscal year) ’07 – FY ‘11
  • $6,762,860 average giving from FY ’12 – FY ‘16
• Other benefits to this organizational structure include a more integrated and seamless relationship between development and university partners, as well as closer integration between development and alumni relations activities.
  
  • To the latter point, VP Webster noted, “Philanthropy follows engagement.”

Other highlights from the current state of programs in the Division of Development and Alumni Relations include:

• In FY ’16, the Development team raised $7.9 million in cash and secured $3.2 million in pledges. (We are currently in FY ’17.)
• Alumni Relations has a strong social media presence across Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram
• 75 alumni events were offered in FY ’16 with more than 3,300 attendees.
  
  • This is nearly 1,700 more attendees than were reported at events in FY ’15.
• Alumni Relations in partnership with Career Services:
  
  • Success Looks Like ME: 64 alumni & 285 student participants (2015-2016)
  • UNC Connect: 301 alumni & 117 student participants to date

 The next part of VP Webster’s presentation centered on the fiscal climate in which UNC operates.

• As everyone is well aware, the State of Colorado’s financial support for institutions of higher education, including UNC, has declined drastically since 2000. An unfortunate effect of this is that the financial burden has shifted to students, such that student revenue accounts for 65% of UNC’s 2016-2017 budget.
  
  • 20% is from the State of Colorado; 9% is from various University Services, and 6% is from donor support.
• Despite this, UNC’s leadership remains committed to providing an affordable, high-quality education.
  
  • UNC’s resident tuition and fees is among the lowest in the State of Colorado.

Dr. Webster noted that what this translates to is that UNC has room for growth in philanthropic support. In other words, if UNC is to continue to offer an affordable, high-quality education to our students, we must work to increase our donor support. To do that, UNC is undertaking its first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign.

• UNC’s Comprehensive Campaign will play an integral role in our fiscal sustainability.
  
  • It will focus on University-wide priorities with which UNC has historically had success (e.g., scholarships, faculty and programmatic support, athletics, etc.)
    • By fundraising for these donor-resonant priorities, resources at the University are freed to help fund other initiatives and priorities at UNC.
• Campaigns are proven to work.
  
  • Whereas it is typical for a 3% growth in donations annually, this number increases to 9% when a university is in “campaign mode.”
  • People want to be part of a winning team. When a campaign is in place, it fosters a sense of momentum, which builds on itself organically as more people take notice and get involved.
  • Engaged and informed alumni, friends, and community members give 15% more than the average donor, and campaigns are a great vehicle to support this.
• By undertaking a campaign, UNC aims to assert greater control of its fiscal destiny and support students, faculty, and the entire institution.
• Campaign timeline: July 2015 – December 2018
  
  • We are currently in the “silent phase.” VP Webster is working with leadership across campus to identify specific campaign priorities and goals.
  • We will officially “go public” with the campaign on March 26, 2017.
  • Current plans are to conclude the campaign so as to coincide with the opening of Campus Commons in early (winter) 2019.

 Vice President Webster concluded his presentation by discussing the long-term outcomes of this campaign (beyond dollars raised).

• It will establish a “new normal” of communication, engagement, community, and philanthropy at UNC.
• Campaigns force the issue of “who we are and where we are headed.” As such, it will set the stage for future campaigns and engagement by:
  
  • Increasing alumni involvement in campaign priorities and understanding of the importance of philanthropy at UNC
  • Increasing alumni and donor involvement with Admissions, Career Services, and other volunteer opportunities
  • Fostering a broader understanding of the vision for UNC and where we want to be 3 to 5 years from now

VP Webster invited questions from attendees. Questions centered on the process of fundraising in general, as well as engaging and soliciting gifts from young alumni. Attendees also inquired as to how to “submit for consideration” certain priorities in their respective departments and divisions; Dr. Webster advised attendees to connect with their supervisors and division leadership, as conversations about priorities are ongoing.