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Summer 2003

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The Major Gifts Committee held its first formal meeting in New York City earlier this spring, signaling the commencement of fundraising activities for an important component of Villanova’s new comprehensive capital campaign, Transforming Minds and Hearts: The Campaign for Villanova. Entering into the third year of the quiet phase portion of The Campaign, the Major Gifts Committee will look to step up its efforts on two major fronts_garnering satisfactory levels of early support and building a solid volunteer base_before the public launch of The Campaign at the end of the year.

Under the direction of chairman Herbert F. Aspbury ’67, the committee began its official proceedings by discussing plans for meeting key financial targets at the Major Gifts level, defined as commitments from the $100,000 to $1 million range. “The committee is currently in the process of identifying potential donors throughout the Villanova community,” noted Aspbury. “We are making a concerted effort to match our donors with the appropriate gift opportunities that will support Villanova’s strategic initiatives.”

As the pivotal third year of The Campaign’s quiet phase moves through the coming months, the Major Gifts Committee will attempt to reinforce the firm foundation of support built thus far in the quiet phase. The goal for contributions at the $100,000 level has already been exceeded, and 81 percent of donors at this level are new donors to Villanova. To date, early commitments to The Campaign have topped the $70 million mark, accounting for over 35 percent of the $200 million working goal.

The Major Gifts Committee has contributed extensively to this early effort through a methodical plan to attract new support. Since the University established a road map for intensive geographic solicitation, centered around Major Gifts activity in eight concentrated regions across the country, committee members have actively sought support through an aptly-labeled “spheres of influence” strategy. Committee members have established a decentralized approach to solicitation through this strategy, honing in on personal and professional relationships regionally, to strengthen potential leads and prospects that will ultimately open the door to more concrete financial commitments as The Campaign moves toward public launch and beyond.

“The Major Gifts Committee has played a significant role in attracting vital levels of support from both new and long-time donors,” commented Mary McRae, associate vice president for Development. “Equally as important, they have helped further the momentum of The Campaign through continuous identification of new and existing prospects, which in turn facilitates the expansion of Villanova’s support base and contributes to a sharpened focus of the total fundraising effort across the nation.”
Villanova’s emphasis on cultivating a broad base of support is especially critical during this time of economic downturn. Committee members discussed the impact of world events and a faltering economy on philanthropic giving during their meeting in New York, and they drew two important conclusions with regard to future giving and The Campaign: one, was that despite the apparent negative relationship between a slow economy and philanthropy, Villanova’s community of donors remain resilient and steady in their support of the University; and two, was that although there has been a steady stream of early support, continual generosity will be needed in order to achieve the most meaningful Campaign objectives, such as growing the University’s overall endowment.

“The Campaign certainly has been effected by events taking place around the world and the inconsistencies currently found in our country’s economy,” explained vice president for Institutional Advancement, John M. Elizandro. “While it is clear that strong support for the University and its capital and endowment initiatives exists among its alumni, parents, and friends, it is also clear that we must proceed with caution as we carry on with future Campaign activities.”

One way Villanova, and specifically the Major Gifts Committee, is working to combat a difficult economy is to increase its presence and widen its volunteer structure. The Major Gifts Committee, with its inclusive national approach, serves as an exceptional example of this effort. Key volunteers have been recruited to serve on the committee for the purpose of setting the tone for The Campaign at the highest level of involvement. At the New York meeting committee members laid the groundwork for future Major Gifts activity and involvement by openly sharing ideas for improvement, devising strategies for further cultivation at area-specific events and informal gatherings around the country, and planning individual proceedings for the regional level initiatives that will play a crucial role in attracting interested patrons from various locales as The Campaign moves ahead.

“In order for the Major Gifts Committee to have success, regional events and initiatives and a sturdy volunteer structure will serve as the base from which to grow support,” stated Aspbury. “The activities of this committee and the activities of each regional committee member serve as a perfect complement to The Campaign’s ongoing mission, and they will help bring together new and existing supporters of Villanova’s extended community of alumni, parents, and friends, while also introducing them to the University’s particular strategic priorities.”