The start of a new year is also the kickoff of a critical phase of campaign planning: school and unit goal-setting. Earlier this month, Amelia J. Alverson met with chief development officers (CDOs) to launch the process.

What’s next?
Colleagues will roll up their sleeves to expand on the definitions, general shape, dollar goals, and giving opportunities in their priority areas, building off conversations last fall with deans and directors. Schools and units will also set goals for the number of donors and alumni engaged.

Chief development officers will work with deans, senior fundraisers, school/unit financial planners, and others of us to set their goals.

What’s beyond Dollars, Donors, and Engagement?
Individual schools and units may set their own internal goals and benchmarks, which might include: incentives around planned giving, stewardship, reunions, non-alumni donors, corporation and foundation fundraising, and board involvement.

Stay tuned: each month, we’ll update you on campaign-planning process.
Keep your eyes and ears open as you might be called upon to participate. As always, we want to hear from you with any thoughts or questions at [email protected].

For a deeper dive, check out the CDO planning toolkit on the Essentials site (log-in required). Click here.