Leadership Gifts Committee Holds First Meeting

Members Discuss Strategies for Securing Lead Commitments

When the Leadership Gifts Committee held its first meeting earlier this spring in Pebble Beach, California, an overriding theme emerged: 

“Gifts at the Leadership level are critical to the success of The Campaign for Villanova,” explained James C. Curvey ’57 C&F, Campaign vice chairman and co-chairman of the Leadership Gifts Committee. “With the Campaign now in its quiet phase of preliminary planning and solicitation, gifts of $1 Million and above generate crucial momentum as we move toward a public announcement.”

William B. Finneran ’63 C&F, Campaign vice chairman and co-chairman of the Leadership Gifts Committee, remarked, “Leadership Gifts represent 66 percent of the overall Campaign goal. They provide permanent resources for the University to grow its endowment and provide security for the future.”

By forging a permanent link between the donor and the University through unique opportunities to endow facilities, faculty positions, and scholarships, these gifts attract further commitments from donors at all levels.

Discussion at the Leadership Gifts Committee meeting focused on strategies for identifying and effectively soliciting prospects for gifts at this level.  One such strategy was the classification of spheres of influence linking Committee members with individual Leadership Gift prospects.

“This strategy enables Villanova to make the most of the personal and professional relationships that Committee members may have,” remarked James D. Danella ’71 C&F president and chief executive officer, The Danella Companies. “A personal or professional connection can translate into an increase in commitments at key levels.”

The Committee also discussed one-on-one cultivation and solicitation activities such as small gatherings and events featuring University president Rev. Edmund J. Dobbin, O.S.A., ’58. 

“Commitments at the Leadership Gifts level illustrate the strong relationship between the donors and Villanova University,” said Fr. Dobbin. “They also demonstrate the faith that our alumni, parents and friends have in our established funding priorities.”

“Leadership Gifts level commitments provide a context for the Steering Committee, helping to establish and confirm working goals, and setting the stage for the Campaign’s public announcement,” agreed John M. Elizandro, vice president for Institutional Advancement. 

Joining Curvey, Finneran and Danella at the meeting were committee members John G. Drosdick ’65, William M. Gibson ’66 C&F, Gary M. Holloway ’76 C&F, James F. Orr III ’65 A&S and Frank S. Scarpa ’56 C&F. Other Committee members include Robert M. Birmingham ’66, Arthur J. Kania, Esq. ’56, John J. Quindlen ’54 and Herbert G. Rammrath ’57.

 The meeting concluded with the Committee members united behind their assignments, and eager to begin their Campaign efforts. Since the meeting in Pebble Beach, Leadership Gifts Committee members have met with Elizandro and his staff to further define and coordinate strategies and assignments.

As Committee member Gary M. Holloway ’76 C&F explained, “We’ve sharpened the focus on specific strategies and timelines for cultivation and solicitation activities. By this time next year, we expect to have initiated key solicitations.”

“The importance of Leadership Gifts level commitments to The Campaign for Villanova cannot be overstated,” concluded Fr. Dobbin.  “The Committee’s activities during this quiet phase will help to ensure the overall success of the Campaign.”