[Michele Siegal]

Like R1s, PIUs should invest time in developing a case statement and funding priorities at a variety of giving levels. The Grad Ed Toolkit provides more information about this exercise. Through the process, your institution should consider which potential donors or funders you have access to based on who you serve and the role of grad students on your campus and in the communities as alumni.
As an RUI, you can partner with regional businesses, chambers of commerce, community foundations, and area leaders because you can articulate the impact and importance of the university to the area in a way that is harder for R1s to do.
If you aren’t already, consider increasing your involvement in important regional organizations to build partnerships. Learn about the regional priorities and issues (i.e., workforce development, serving an aging population, clean water, etc.) and connect those needs with your funding priorities. In other words, demonstrate how an investment in graduate education at CWU will respond to the issues your partners seek to address.

[Michele Siegal]

Thanks for your question. A volunteer board can be a great way to engage alumni and prospects. Before launching a board, consider the following: 1) Do you and your staff have time to manage and host 1-2 robust meetings each year? 2) What role will the members play, and how can you demonstrate the impact of their participation? Often, volunteers want to provide insights on curriculum, admissions, etc., which are likely areas where involving them will be problematic. 3) If you want to raise money by establishing a board, could you do it without engaging a prospect on a board?
Rackham has gone through a few iterations of volunteer boards. We have landed on the “Professional Alumni Council,” which brings together alumni with doctorates and research-based master’s degrees who work outside of academia. These alumni tend to have better giving capacity than those who work in higher Education. The purpose is to provide outside insights to the graduate school that cannot be learned from the campus community. It is future-focused and taps into the expertise of the alumni.
I recommend creating a “job description,” including membership requirements (one is giving) and setting term limits. We invited campus colleagues to nominate alumni to join, which also helps build relationships. I am happy to provide more information and details.

[Michele Siegal]

Fundraising for Grad Ed has never been more critical than it is right now. I’m looking forward to engaging with you and responding to your questions.

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