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Fundraising Benchmarks to determine Institutional Readiness. Outline. Assessing Institutional Readiness. Requires: Examination of the university’s current and anticipated funding sources Comprehensive review and understanding of the university’s funding needs
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Assessing Institutional Readiness • Requires: • Examination of the university’s current and anticipated funding sources • Comprehensive review and understanding of the university’s funding needs • Consideration of the strengths / areas of lesser strength • Assessment of the fundability of key needs and feasibility of finding $$$ • Consideration of the institution’s values and culture
Assessing Institutional Readiness • What is your current reality? • Decreased or flattening government support • Increased operating / capital needs • Decentralized vs. centralized environment • Funding / fundraising history • Rotational leadership
Assessing Institutional Readiness Current Reality… • Internal: • Policy and attitude limitations • Internal politics / priorities • Financial resources available • External: • Profile and reputation of institution • External philanthropic/partnership culture • Where are your opportunities? • alumni/volunteers/ambassadors
Critical Success Factors • Fundraising unit as “academic support unit” • Targeted consultation – run to your strengths! • Compelling “case for support” rooted in academic mission (institution, faculty) • Strong, committed university leadership • Fundraising must be complementary to existing partnerships
Critical Success Factors (cont’d) • Strong public image • Fundraising policies and protocols (e.g.) gift acceptance • Clear accountabilities and communication • Adequate resources • financial and human • institutional leadership • fundraising/development resources • volunteers/ambassadors
Required Internal Culture • Fosters: • Collaboration • “Donor-centred” approach • Long-term programme vs. short-term “fix”
Required Internal Culture (cont’d) • Fosters… • Accountability and transparency with key internal and external stakeholders • Commitment to “relationship management” • High degree of trust and respect for all those engaged in fundraising