College Campaigns Meet Monetary Goals, Despite Bad Economy

Most capital campaigns by colleges and universities that seek to raise $1-billion or more are on track to meet their goals, despite the bad economy, according to a new report. The findings differ from those of a study last spring by The Chronicle of Higher Education, which found that a dozen billion-dollar campaigns were raising about a third less money (down 32 percent) then they had the year before.
Full text article by Holly Hall is available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 11/18/09.

Twitter fundraising at $1 billion valuation

Fast-growing microblogging service Twitter Inc. is raising venture capital at a valuation of $1 billion. The popular San Francisco company said on its official blog that the round that raised $35 million earlier this year was led by Menlo Park firms Benchmark Capital and Institutional Venture Partners.

Full-text post by Patrick Hoge is available via The San Francisco Business Times, 9/16/09.

Green Shoots and Greenbacks

Signs that an economic recovery may be on the horizon have pushed plans for ambitious fund-raising drives back on the table at charities around the country. And the news has given some cheer to fund raisers overseeing capital drives that have been hobbled by the recession.

Full-text article by Debra E. Blum is available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 8.20.09.

Update on Billion-Dollar Campaigns at 33 Universities

The universities collected a total of $387.5-million in gifts and pledges during the last month for which they had data available.

Full-text article by Marisa Lopez-Rivera is available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 7.10.09. [Subscription required.]

Capital Campaigns in the Recession

The recession is particularly tough for nonprofit organizations that are conducting capital campaigns. Many donors are holding off on making big gifts. At the same time, access to credit is tight.

Read the transcript from The Chronicle of Philanthropy's online discussion, 6.25.09.

Webinar: Planning Your Campaign for Continuous, Not Episodic, Success

Thursday, June 11 @ Noon CT

A campaign is not a one-time event. Although development staff and leadership are usually fully occupied with the immediate demands of their institution's current campaign, they should take the time to consider that their current campaign is only the first in a series of future campaigns for their organization. The cycle of major campaigns is shaping fundraising in higher education and healthcare.

This session will focus on how first tier institutions move smoothly from campaign to campaign, using one to build the capacity for the next and to achieve higher levels of gift support. Inevitably, some campaign strategies lead to donor fatigue, institutional exhaustion, the truncation of strategic planning and vision, and leadership myopia. But this is not inevitable. Other strategies lead to optimism, expanded self-confidence, and more engaged and committed leaders, volunteers, and staff.

This Webinar will explore the skills and perspectives needed to recognize the difference between successful and ineffective strategies, as well as the importance of approaching your campaign as the next in a series, rather than simply the next campaign.

To sign up for the webinar please visit our website, www.bwf.com.

Trio of Colleges Focus on $1B Campaigns

In the Greater Boston region three schools — Boston College, Tufts University and Brandeis — are in the midst of capital campaigns worth upward of $1 billion despite what experts said could be one of the most difficult fundraising environments in years.

Bruce Flessner, a principal at Bentz Whaley Flessner, said colleges in the middle of ongoing capital campaigns will likely be able to close them by their set deadlines. But he added fewer colleges will likely launch such large initiatives this year.

Full-text article available via the Boston Business Journal, 2.13.09.

Medical University of South Carolina Sets Record

Medical University of South Carolina raised a record amount in gifts and pledges over the 2007-08 fiscal year, amounting to more than $67.4 million. The largest portion came from gifts and matching funds from foundations and nonprofits, while individual benefactors contributed more than a third.

Full-text article is available via the Post and Courier, 8.5.08.

How to Get More Students and Young Alumni to Give

The University of Chicago announced the completion of its $2-billion-plus campaign Monday, and its vice president for development is crediting the university’s peer-to-peer programs with boosting both student and young alumni giving during the campaign.

Full-text posting by Kathryn Masterson is available via the Chronicle's Prospecting Blog, 8.11.08.

How the Economy Impacts Capital Campaigns

Fund raisers across the country say that individuals, corporations, and foundations they expected to make big gifts to capital campaigns this year have refused to do so, while others say that donors are making smaller-than-expected contributions.

Full-text article by Holly Hall is available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 5.15.08. [Subscription required.]