Building a Repeatable Alumni Fundraising Program

As Fundraising Chair and an Executive Board Member, I built a repeatable fundraising program across the board’s annual campaigns. I led six volunteer contributors, set campaign plans and measures, coordinated alum outreach and follow-up, and introduced recurring planning and reporting practices that carried lessons from one campaign into the next. The 2025 year-end campaign closed with 40 donors, a 24.2% increase in dollars raised, and a fund balance over $35,300.

Challenge

The alum board needed a fundraising approach that could work across several annual campaigns rather than depend on one-time effort. Volunteer capacity varied, limited institutional email access constrained outreach, and university policies shaped how the board could work with donor information and funds. The board also needed clearer campaign targets, defined responsibilities, consistent follow-up, and performance data to inform decisions.

The fundraising function also needed continuity. Each campaign created lessons about outreach, timing, volunteer assignments, and follow-up that could improve the next effort. The board needed a consistent planning and reporting process to carry those lessons forward.

Approach

I built a common fundraising process across the major fundraising campaigns: 2025 year-end and Giving Day 2026 efforts. For each campaign, I developed the plan, set or recommended targets and measures, created outreach calendars and messages, and assigned work across the Fundraising Committee.

I also took part directly in alum outreach. Across the campaigns, I contacted approximately 150 alums and former board members, tracked responses, coordinated follow-up with board and university partners, and used campaign data to adjust outreach timing and priorities. This gave the board a more consistent way to assess what was working and decide where to focus its limited volunteer capacity.

I then introduced recurring planning and reporting practices so each campaign could inform the next one. To reduce dependence on a single committee chair, I also began a structured succession effort for the Fundraising Chair role. That work included a 2026-27 shadowing arrangement and delegated responsibility for improving recurring campaign processes and documentation.

My Role

I serve as a volunteer Executive Board Member and Fundraising Chair for the James Madison University Political Science Alumni Board. I formally lead six volunteer contributors and lead fundraising strategy and assigned campaign operations.

I set or recommend campaign targets and measures, assign committee work, review progress, adjust outreach priorities, and coordinate follow-up with board and university partners. I also address capacity and performance issues when commitments or campaign results require a change. University officials retain control of donor records, donated funds, and final institutional approvals.

Results

The fundraising work produced results across campaign performance, alumni response, and continuity:

• Increased fundraising dollars by 24.2% during the 2025 year-end campaign, closing with 40 donors and over $35,300 fund balance, by establishing campaign plans, measures, outreach, and follow-up.

• Achieved an approximately 77% response rate, with more than 115 responses from roughly 150 alums and former board members contacted across three campaigns, through targeted outreach and coordinated follow-up.

• Established recurring planning and reporting practices across year-end, Giving Day, and graduation fundraising campaigns.

• Created a succession structure for the Fundraising Chair role through a 2026-27 shadowing arrangement and delegated process and documentation work.