New Annual Fund Initiatives Implemented to Increase Participation Rate Among Alumni

Funds Secured Through The Villanova Advantage Meet Important Campus Needs While
Supporting Long-Term Fundraising Efforts

As plans are being developed to attract support at all levels in support of Villanova’s strategic priorities and ongoing campus needs in anticipation of a comprehensive capital campaign, particular attention is being focused on The Villanova Advantage, the University’s annual fund effort.  In an effort to involve each alumnus, parent and friend more closely in the life of the University, there has been a renewed commitment to increase participation in this important fundraising program.

Noted Alicia L. McGowan, director of annual giving, “The Annual Fund provides every Villanovan – with a comfortable way to support the University and its programs.  It is the backbone of alumni support and serves not only as a critical resource for the University to meet its short-term financial goals, but also plays a key role as the University continues to plan for a comprehensive capital campaign.”

The Villanova Advantage, provides recurring annual support for pressing needs throughout the University, including student financial assistance, faculty support and research, the acquisition of technological resources, and the upkeep of the University’s living and learning facilities.

While the success of The Villanova Advantage is measured by the amount of funds raised each year, it is also based upon the number of individual contributors to the fund.  This factor, known as the participation rate, is an indicator that the University considers as it evaluates support among its alumni for its current priorities and plans for the future.   It is also one of many factors considered by national publications, such as U.S. News & World Report, as they rank Villanova against its peer institutions. 

Said Charles A. Wright ‘90, senior director of development, “Villanova has been challenged recently to increase participation among alumni in its annual fund to reach the level of its competitor institutions.  While our alumni annual giving participation rate has risen in the last several years, there are still opportunities for even more alumni to support the University through The Villanova Advantage.”   

The Annual Fund: Supporting Long-Term Fundraising Efforts

Annual Fund participation is also closely evaluated by the University as it continues with planning for a comprehensive capital campaign.  This planning period, known as the quiet phase, is a preliminary fundraising and evaluation period designed to develop and establish campus-wide funding priorities, and attract early commitments to support them in advance of a comprehensive capital campaign.  The quiet phase provides an opportunity to evaluate early progress, measure support for the University’s strategic priorities and consider commitment projections at all levels.  Annual Fund participation provides an early barometer for these key indicators and is critical indicator of support for Villanova’s goals and objectives. 

In an effort to increase Annual Fund support, the University has recently implemented several new initiatives designed to improve its outreach to alumni, parents and friends and increase it recognition of gifts at all levels to The Annual Fund.  Among these initiatives is the Student Telefund.  Through the Telefund, current Villanova students connect with University alumni, parents and friends using the latest software and computer technology.  The students provide information about the University, including news about academic achievements, faculty distinctions and campus enhancements, while also communicating the goals of the Annual Fund.  Response to this system has been positive and many alumni appreciate learning from students first-hand about the Villanova of today.

“I enjoy speaking with alumni, hearing about their Villanova experiences and sharing my own.  After hearing about so many of the exciting things happening at Villanova, many of the people we call are eager to support the University through The Villanova Advantage.  For them, it’s a way to connect their past experiences at Villanova with it’s plans for the future,” said Sean J. McKinley ‘02, student telefund supervisor.

The University has also intensified its series of ongoing personal meetings with Annual Fund supporters.  Such meetings are useful in discussing Annual Fund initiatives and how such initiatives support the University’s preliminary plans to embark on a comprehensive capital campaign.  These meetings have helped to identify a significant number of alumni and friends who wish to become more actively involved in securing the future of the University.

Noted McGowan, “These meetings are a critical component of out outreach efforts.  It is a highly effective way to present recent University achievements, as well as areas in which support is needed.” 

Another way for alumni to support the University is through the Reunion Giving program.  Every 5 years, alumni return to Villanova to take part in Reunion Weekend, celebrating fond memories and renewing old friendships.  One of the ways in which each class leaves their mark at the University is through a reunion gift.  Such gifts provide resources to meet current needs across campus and signify a continued commitment to support the University’s strategic priorities and its plans for the future.

In an effort increase class participation in the Reunion Giving program, The Office of Annual Giving has instituted Class representatives who encourage their classmates participate more fully in the Annual Fund during the anniversary of their graduation from Villanova.

Noted reunion giving volunteer Gene H. Guicheteau ’62,  “As reunion giving volunteers, we can more effectively speak to our former classmates about the impact and importance of a class gift during our reunion year.  Each generation of Villanovans benefit from the generosity of their predecessors, and each class carries the challenge to provide future generations the same benefits.”   

President’s Club Offers Increased Opportunities for Involvement

Yet another significant initiative aimed at furthering the growth of The Villanova Advantage has been the restructuring and renaming of the University’s gift recognition society, now known as the President’s Club. Formerly known as the Trustee Associates, the President’s Club provides Villanova with an appropriate way to formally acknowledge exceptional annual commitments by its alumni, parents and friends to support key University programs and campus priorities.

President’s Club benefits and recognition begin with annual contributions of $2,500 or more, and donors who are a part of the President’s Club are invited each fall to a special event hosted by University President, Rev. Edmund J. Dobbin, O.S.A. ‘58, to further thank them for their support of the University.

Commented Wright, “This new structure was established to challenge existing donors to rise to new levels of giving, and provide incentive for new donors to support Villanova in this manner.  We are encouraged by increases in both participation rate and overall giving by members of The President’s Club since it’s inception, and look forward to even more support for University programs at this level.”

Together, these outreach and recognition initiatives have brought new energy into the Villanova’s annual fund efforts and continue to provide increased opportunities for even more alumni, parents and friends to become involved in the life of the University.  With increased levels of support, The Villanova Advantage will continue to provide critical funds to meet ongoing needs throughout campus and its success will play a key role as the University’s proceeds with preliminary plans for a comprehensive capital campaign. 

Added McGowan, “With the critical role the Annual Fund plays in the University’s overall financial plans, Villanova has been increasing and enhancing its efforts to infuse The Villanova Advantage with new energy.  We’ve been reaching out far and wide to our alumni, parents and friends to raise a greater awareness about the importance of annual, recurring support of the University and provide a greater number of individuals the opportunity to become involved in the Annual Fund.”

The Russo Young Alumni Annual Giving Drive

In an effort to improve participation among young alumni in The Villanova Advantage, The Office of Annual Giving has instituted a challenge set forth by young alumnus, J. Eric Russo ‘91.   Russo recently announced that, in an effort to encourage young alumni to become involved in the tradition of philanthropic giving at Villanova, he will match, dollar for dollar up to $50,000, every new gift contributed by graduates of the last ten years, from the classes of 1991 through 2001.  “Participate for Villanova: The Russo Young Alumni Giving Drive” is set to kick-off this spring.

Remarked Russo, “When I first graduated, I thought you had to make large gifts to make a difference.  But because of the importance of the participation rate, the University benefits from all gifts, be they $10 or $20 or much more.  By getting more alumni involved in the Annual Fund, we send a message that we value our degree and deem Villanova worthy of our support.  Hopefully, this Giving Drive will instill the importance of philanthropy in our young alumni and inspire them to support this University that has given us so much.”

The Villanova Advantage Gift Clubs

Those who contribute annually for the enhancement of the University’s future are recognized through the following Gift Clubs:

$10,000+                     President’s Club Partner

$5,000 - $9,999            President’s Club Advisor

$2,500 - $4,999            President’s Club Member

$1,000 - $2,499            Dean’s Club

$500 - $999                  Faculty Club

$250 - $499                  University Club

$150 +                        Young Alumni Club  (Graduates from the past 10 years)