General Article
July 20, 2006
Development's $32 million milestone
Thanks to committed donors, board members and staff, Center surpasses fiscal year fund-raising goal
Public Health Sciences Division's Dr. Christopher Li is often tapped by Nancy Wells, vice president of Development, to speak about cancer-prevention research. Li said that fund-raising success is key to his scientific freedom. Of the nearly 42,000 donors who contributed in the past fiscal year, 3,774 increased the size of their gift and more than 9,000 were first-time donors.
Photo by Dean Forbes |
Rather than crediting one big-hearted donor for pushing the fund-raising totals over the top as in years past, the Development Department has nearly 42,000 donors to thank. That, said Nancy Wells, vice president, is what makes the final sum of more than $32 million dollars so very satisfying.
"It's the generosity of many that resulted in our surpassing the 2006 fund-raising goal," Wells said. "And even beyond all those donors, it's taken the combined commitment of staff, faculty and our board."
According to Dr. Lee Hartwell, president and director, breaking through an already-ambitious target also has required strategic consideration of where to concentrate development activities. "It is an amazing accomplishment for the Development team to exceed their goal this year," Hartwell said. "They have put an enormous amount of energy into restructuring their operations, which must have occupied a major amount of their time and effort. Research is critically dependent on these philanthropic dollars and all of us at the Center are tremendously appreciative for their wonderful accomplishment."
9,000 first-time donors
This year's goal was set at $31.7 million; at publication time the total was more than $32 million, or more than 101 percent of the bench mark. Of the nearly 42,000 donors who made a gift last year, 3,774 increased the amount they gave to the Center, and there were more than 9,000 who were first-time donors.
Wells joined the Center last September with a goal of increasing private donations in a research environment that traditionally has relied heavily on federal funding. Though she praises her department for professionalism and diversity of skills, she frequently reminds staff that they don't — and never should — operate autonomously. "Every function of fund raising depends on the buy in and support of others, including, and most especially, the Center's board of trustees," Wells said.
Commitment of combined board
The Center's former foundation board merged with the board of trustees this year, redefining not only the culture of the membership but its dedication to philanthropic support. "Our members take this seriously and personally," board chair Henry James said. "When our two boards came together, we combined forces with a new emphasis on giving. The board is now 100 percent committed to philanthropy as a critical part of its role."
Board members often find themselves working together with Development staff and scientists to approach potential supporters, James said. According to an informal poll of Development staff, in fiscal year 2006 more than 75 Center faculty members looked beyond their laboratory roles to take part in philanthropic-cultivation activities including lab crawls, speaking engagements and visits to potential donors. Division directors in particular "have really intensified their involvement," Wells said.
It is imperative for the Development staff not only to lead the way in raising large sums, but also to think through new ways of encouraging generosity. "There are as many motives for donating as there are donors," said Nancy Greenwood Vehrs, senior director of Major and Principal Gifts. "We're here to guide supporters to define how they can help."
"For instance, we noticed that one donor really enjoyed hearing about the cutting-edge equipment used in Shared Resources," Greenwood Vehrs said. "We started sending him photos and descriptions of high-end equipment based on what the faculty said they could use. Each year, he'd select and purchase something from our wish list. Most recently, he donated a $500,000 piece of proteomics equipment — ;a mass spectrometer — ;and for the first time, he and his wife visited the Center to see it demonstrated. The donor seems very pleased with this unusual arrangement because it speaks to his own interests while advancing our science."
Although all of the programs within Development have had a successful year, Wells cites the stellar performance of Foundation Relations — ;which is particularly dependent upon scientists' participation — ;and Planned Giving. "Our professionals in Planned Giving bring in new donors, but they're simultaneously building on years of hard work, which results in supporters being inspired to remember us in their estates," Wells said.
Aiming high for 2007
Though the fiscal year 2007 target has not been set, Wells promises that it will be "a stretch goal."
"Because federal dollars are becoming scarce, we will need to be more creative, further diversifying donor options and increasing the involvement of faculty and staff," Wells said. "We are working toward a larger, more diverse and less restrictive revenue stream to fund the Center's priorities, and in doing so, we are truly excited and optimistic about the future."
