Colleagues,
As fundraising grows in importance for institutions like yours, the role of president as fundraiser-in-chief ramps up. So does the need to partner with your Chief Advancement Officer. Enjoy these articles from WittKieffer partners Greg Duyck and Mercedes Vance as well as principal Cathy Dove, Ed.D.
The College President's Role in Fundraising
As “fundraiser-in-chief,” the president wears the hats of storyteller, door opener, and magnet. With giving to higher education on the rise and transformational gifts becoming more essential to higher education, the president is often now the linchpin for this level of contribution. They can establish an environment in which fundraising is interdisciplinary, everyone plays a part, and team members are accountable.
In this article, we look at steps a president can take to prepare for this important role. At the root, these recommendations are about the president establishing a leadership culture in which fundraising is an ongoing strategic, collaborative priority that develops and matures over time, to the betterment and benefit of the institution.
Power Couple: How College Presidents Can Strengthen Their Relationship with Their Chief Advancement Officer
As fundraiser-in-chief, you as president need not go it alone. The relationship you build with your CAO can make or break fundraising success, alumni engagement, and even institutional stability.
While cabinet members like the CAO often have extensive playbooks on managing up, presidents may receive little guidance on how to reciprocate and structure their partnership. In this article, we provide the skeleton of such a playbook: advice for you as a president to develop a constructive bond with your top advancement leader.
Other Relevant Resources
