Best practices and beyond Jennifer Fisher & Megan Fisher

  Institutional Foundation  Charged with fundraising for your College or University  CU Foundation  PPCC Foundation  Community Foundation  Grant making foundations that pool donations and are regional  Denver Foundation  Pikes Peak Foundation  Private Foundation  Individual or family  Daniels Fund  Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Basics

 The Essential CU Foundation Video

  Endowment  Principal  Distributions or Earnings  Current Fund or Gift  Fund Agreement  Restricted Fund  MOU Common Terminology

  Read the instructions carefully  Revisions  Actual tuition and fees  Computer purchase  Child care  Health insurance Cost of Attendance Forms

  Communication is key  Meet with development officers proactively  Discuss the most pressing needs you see  Give the foundation statistics they can present to potential donors  Respond to inquiries in timely manner  Explain financial aid terminology  Hear the request first hand (if possible) Communication is Key

  Do they have specific goals?  Send it to them foundation?  Send the university a check? What to do when a donor calls?

  Financial aid is cyclical  Plan ahead to make sure you get special projects done in our “down time”  Be flexible with requests Timing is everything

  Collecting thank you letter from students is essential  Tie disbursement to the thank you letter  Provide students with guidelines  Pictures  Gifts from the students Say Thank You

  Keep some nominations on hand  When you meet an amazing person or hear a great story  Future speakers  Featured in an article  Students who are in dire circumstances  Runners up Keep a list

  Know what scholarships are offered how students can apply  Know the odds  Include them scholarships in presentations  Remind students of deadlines  Social Media  s  Postcards How to help students

  Have students sign a release:  FERPA  Legal Presence  Video or Press Get a release

  Timing is everything  Fiscal years  Grant periods Respond quickly

  Merit based scholarships should be awarded on academic merit or other ability  It’s about the best fit for the scholarship donor  Don’t try to fit a square peg into a round hole! It’s not all about need

  What does involvement look like?  When is it appropriate?  IRS regulations Donor Involvement in Selection

  Listen  What is their vision?  Discuss challenges constructively  There is no such thing as a small gift  Dress to impress Working with Donors

  Gray areas  Exceptions to the rule  Remember the students you are helping  Communicate When things get hard….

  Review the fund agreement or MOU  Don’t be afraid to ask! When in doubt

 Challenges?