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Rebecca McPhail-Samples is the latest to share her insight with the More Donors Blog. Rebecca is Assistant Vice President for Development at Marshall University, where she has worked for the last five years. Prior to joining Marshall, Rebecca spent time fundraising for other entities in the social-service and higher education sectors.
Now, Rebecca takes a minute to give us her take on the questionnaire...
1 - What is the biggest challenge your fundraising efforts currently face?
Determining the best way to target our solicitation efforts – making the best use of our resources in developing long term plans that integrate communication, education and cultivation that lead to closing major gifts.
2 - What are you doing to overcome these challenges?
We are working internally with our prospect research team to integrate predictive modeling into our overall strategies and exploring the use of external partners in developing our capabilities to analyze our data more effectively.
3 - What is the most successful change/program implementation you have made in your current role?
Integrating electronic communication and solicitation into our overall marketing strategy. Engaging people through social-media, developing tech based giving programs and seeing a dramatic increase in gifts made online.
4 - Where do you see social-media’s best application for fundraising?
Social-media is about engaging our audience - keeping them up-to-date, interested and on the inside of what is happening at the Foundation and Development Center as well as the university at-large. It is best applied as a means to create a cyber-family of sorts and is a great way to show the softer side of fundraising operations…behind the scenes.
5 - What book would you suggest fundraisers read?
The Noticer – by Andy Andrews: This is not the typical sales/discovery book aimed at fundraising, but instead is about the importance of paying attention and building good relationships.
6 - What question would you find most useful for readers to answer?
What are some effective ways to develop student giving programs that can help drive the educational process that turns them into faithful alumni donors?
Use the comment section below to share your thoughts on Rebecca's question... I'll share my thoughts next week... Thank you Rebecca!
Kay Young is the Director of Development at Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School. "Sem" is one of the oldest prep schools in the northeast and educates children from age 3 through grade 12 (and an additional post-graduate year). Kay has her BS & MS from Penn State and has held her current role with Sem for almost seven years.
1 - What is the biggest challenge your fundraising efforts currently face?
Staying at the top of that shortening list of charities that each of our constituents has soliciting their support and interest.
2 - What are you doing to overcome these challenges?
Continuing to share our story with constituents – making them aware of our needs and the great things that are happening everyday on campus.
3 - What is the most successful change/program implementation you have made in your current role?
Increased web/internet presence.
4 - Where do you see social-media’s best application for fundraising?
Alumni connecting with each other.
5 - What book would you suggest fundraisers read?
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin (2006)
6 - What question would you find most useful for readers to answer?
What are some practical ways to stay in touch with my constituents that will make my institution stand out from the rest?
Your turn - What are your answers to Kay's question?
As many of you know, I compile and sort the US News rankings every year in an attempt to provide a more user-friendly version for your quick reference. I have sorted the 2010 rankings and you will find them at the link below.
Please note: This is not an endorsement of the rankings. Rather, I understand the rankings will remain important to some regardless of their ability, or lack thereof, to accurately rank institutions. Therefore, it is good to have an easy way to reference the statistics and comparisons.
Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.
The rankings include sections sorted by:
Overall Ranking
Public Ranking (for public institutions)
Alumni Giving Rate
Public Alumni Giving Rate
Peer Assessment Score
Avg. Freshmen Retention Rate
Percentage of Classes with <20>50 students
Percentage of Faculty who are full-time
Percentage of Freshmen in the top 10% of HS class
Acceptance Rate
The section is indicated by the title in the upper left corner. I hope to do further analysis on the correlations between changes in giving rates and overall rankings and general alumni participation trends when time permits. I will post such findings here.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Link: 2010 Rankings
For previous rankings, please visit: Previous US News Rankings
Hi all,
I am in the midst of organizing the new blog for More Donors Consulting. Some great contributors are lined up to provide insight on our core questions. What are the initial questions to be answered? See below... with my comments included. In the meantime, contact me here for questions, comments or consulting inquiries.
Basics:
Devin T. Mathias, Lead Consultant, More Donors Consulting
BA, Communications – Penn State University
MBA, Business Administration – University of Florida
Most recent professional positions:
Vice President of Benchmarking, Philanthropic Analytics (GG+A)
Director of Annual Giving (University of Michigan)
Director of The Florida Fund (University of Florida Foundation, Inc.)
The questionnaire:
1 - What is the biggest challenge your fundraising efforts currently face?
The economy will be a popular answer to this question, though I think the greatest challenges are the following: a) ineffective use of analytics in fundraising – particularly in major/principal giving and annual giving; b) “the n=1 problem” – the mistake of using what you like or your boss likes for your fundraising efforts, rather than using market research to fine-tune your message, case and medium; and, c) using the economy as an excuse – if ever there was a time to highlight why your institution is worthy of support, it is now. Illustrate that you are using your funds wisely and the positive impact your organization has on the economy.
2 - What are you doing to overcome these challenges?
Working with clients, peers and organizations where I volunteer to overcome those challenges listed above!
3 - What is the most successful change/program implementation you have made in your current role?
This varies based on the topic and client, as my focus has been varied for each. I am confident I can be a successful change agent for all of my clients!
4 - Where do you see social-media’s best application for fundraising?
Donor relations and stewardship, research, recruitment… the list goes on-and-on. It depends on your organization's needs, goals and resources.
5 - What book would you suggest fundraisers read?
Competing on Analytics by Davenport & Harris - great insight into how for-profit companies are applying the "new science of winning."
6 - What question would you find most useful for readers to answer?
For this blog… which questions would you find most useful to have answered? And what would you like to share with the
May the gifts be plentiful, your constituents happy & your mission served,
DTM
Rebecca McPhail-Samples is the latest to share her insight with the More Donors Blog. Rebecca is Assistant Vice President for Development at Marshall University, where she has worked for the last five years. Prior to joining Marshall, Rebecca spent time fundraising for other entities in the social-service and higher education sectors.
