CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION RELATIONS

 

Exhibit A depicts a rapid decline in support coming from corporations and foundations in support of the University Programs. Accordingly, a pro-active and focused approach will be taken with respect to raising resources through the Corporate and Foundation Relations Program. The outcome of the Program will be to increase scholarship and fellowship support by 20% - 30% annually. Additional goals are outlined under the section .. Proposed Action.

ANNUAL GIVING/MEMBERSHIP/UNRESTRICTED GIVING

Planning Unit: Office of Institutional Advancement

Responsible Person: Director of Corporate Giving

Planning Objective: Set overall dollar and donor participation goals, as well as, component goals for specific constituencies (i.e., recent alumni, reunion classes, corporate membership, faculty/staff, prestige clubs, and general support campaign) to target in the Savannah State University Alumni Fund. To strengthen existing relationships with past corporate donors and strengthen the alumni’s presence within the corporate sector.

Action Plans

FY 1998:

· Challenge Grants : Through the Corporate and Foundation Relations Giving Program, the division of institutional advancement anticipates reaching out to Savannah State University National Alumni Association by presenting challenge grant opportunities from local and/or major corporations. Past donors, such as Carson Products, will be targeted for this aspect of the program. The corporation will be asked to match a specific amount of alumni giving at a specific percentage. Alumni will be given a specific time frame in which to raise the funds. For example, SSUNAA will be presented with the opportunity to raise a goal of $50,000 by April 30 and Carson Products will be asked to provide matching funds of $10,000 for 20% of the alumni goal.

· Matching Gifts: The division of institutional advancement anticipates developing a proactive approach to facilitate an increase in matching gifts from corporations by encouraging alumni to build relationships with their employers and participate in a matching gifts program with SSU. The University already benefits from the additional support provided by numerous companies which have established matching gifts programs.

 

 

 

 

 

Capital/restricted Giving

Planning Unit: Office of Institutional Advancement

Responsible Person: Director of Corporate Giving

Planning Objective: Address specific goals for each University priority and each constituency (i.e., alumni, friends, major gift prospects, churches, corporations and foundations, faculty and staff). Use this section for any new or special projects.

Colleges and universities have been caught with endowment dollars which continually shrink in buying power and operating expenses which continuously increase. The Corporate and Foundation Relations Giving Program for the University will be established in 1997. The Program will allow the University to improve its academic stature by assuring that there will be no curtailment of/or diminution of the educational program. The gifts/grants to be sought are in addition to other restricted and unrestricted support the University will seek for its general vitality.

Accordingly, the priority is to concentrate on resources that will endow scholarship and fellowship for undergraduate and graduate students. Subsequent priorities are as follows:

Goals:

a. Undergraduate scholarships 20% increase

b. Graduate fellowships 30% increase

c. Corporate giving 10% - 30% annual increase

d. Foundation giving 10% - 15% annual increase

 

Action Plan

FY 1998:

· The Corporate and Foundation Relations Program will be conducted on two levels:

· Local

· National

· It will be staff-driven. (No volunteer involvement)

· Support will be sought for:

· unrestricted funds

· restricted funds (fellowships, scholarships...)

· equipment

· other in-kind gifts

· Identify and seek an increase in giving from past corporate donors.

· Direct mail, formal proposals, personal letters and one-on-one solicitation requesting an investment on the University.

· Identify and seek support from potential prospects which have been rated.

· Soliciting corporations who are listed in the Fortune 1000 which have headquarters in Georgia, or have an operation in Georgia within a 150-mile radius of Savannah.

· National Corporations will be solicited on a national level providing that we meet their giving guidelines.

FY 1999 - 2000:

· Establish a general endowment of $3 million by 2001

Alumni Relations/member Relations

Planning Unit: Office of Institutional Advancement

Responsible Person: Director of Corporate Giving

Planning Objective: Include Alumni weekend, Homecoming, special school/center specific programs, regional events, Founders Day, commencement, alumni chapters, etc.