Building a Culture of Philanthropy in Your School

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Building a Culture of Philanthropy in Your School

• Anne Seltzer
• Helen Colson
• AISGW Development Conference
• June 2009

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Board Chair is enthusiastic about fund raising.

• How does Chair show enthusiasm?
• How does Chair speak about fund raising to the
  rest of the Board and community?
• How can you encourage a reluctant Board Chair?

3
100 of Board supports annual, capital, and
planned giving at a meaningful level

• How important is this?
• How much depends on Board Chair?
• How long does it take to educate the Board?
• Who best does this?

4
Head of School participates actively and
frequently in fund raising.

• How easy is it to get time on the Heads
  calendar?
• How often does Head stop by Advancement Office?
• How often do DoD and Head meet?
• Does the Head give at a meaningful level to AF
  and campaigns?
• How does the Head talk about money?

5
New parents expect to be asked to support the
school.

• How soon does the process start?
• How can a school introduce idea of giving without
  resentment?

6
The school has a clear and consistent brand.

• Does everyone tell the same story, use the same
  language?
• Is there an effective marketing committee?
• Does the strategic plan address
  branding/identity?
• Is the school fearless about asking for feedback?

7
Student philanthropy is encouraged.

• Tsunami relief
• How can you capture early interest in giving
  back?
• How can you educate students about philanthropy?

8
Donors are well stewarded and often thanked.

• Most important lesson of this recession
• Who is responsible for this?
• When does this program get addressed?
• What defines effective/ineffective thanking?

9
Alumni come back/give back

• Where do you start?
• What groups really count?

10
Volunteers volunteer to solicitand agree to be
trained

• What does the ideal volunteer look like?
• How can you recruit him/her?
• How many top volunteers do you need?
• Is training important? Who does it?

11
Campaigns generate excitement and pride!
12
The Admissions Office talks easily about
development needs

• Are there boundaries?
• How early is too early to start the conversation?

13
Development staff is well known throughout the
school and is viewed favorably.

• What is our responsibility in this goal?

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These help promote culture of philanthropy

• Good annual reports
• Class affiliations/competitions
• Publicizing all good news
• Honest talk about giving
• Consistent messages
• Messages that connect giving and mission

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Remember!

• This all takes time and repetition.
• All schools must think about this!
• Independent schools ARE philanthropic!
• Institutional pride/giving culture are
  intermeshed!