Short Term Objectives 2010 – 2012
Aim 1 - To establish and maintain positive relationships with alumni and other prospects, to generate good will, philanthropic gifts and enhance the University’s reputation.
Objective / How achieved and measured / Time frame / Related Corporate Aim(s) *Increase levels of communication with graduates by utilising a cost effective and targeted approach. / Maximise the use of the new ThankQ CRM database to improve tracking of communications with alumni, and build personal and professional profiles.**
Pro-actively boost the number of email addresses we hold for graduates by targeting students at the end of their studies, offering incentives at award ceremonies, capitalising on information from the First Destination survey and from academic Schools. Measured by the percentage increase of email addresses on the system year on year.
Investigate the cost and options available to host an online database that graduates can access, then survey graduates re paying an access fee based on the information
Promote links to other online University publications, ie News & Views, Annual Report, research publications, etc. / Ongoing
Ongoing with a target of an extra 2,000 per year by 2012
End 2010/11
End 2010/11 / Aim 3,5,6
Increase the use of electronic media and social networking, therefore reducing cost and impact on the environment. / Produce and maintain an interesting and up-to-date alumni Facebook page and use as a catalyst to increase alumni email addresses. Use statistics from the site to evaluate success.
Supply regular Twitter messages to update graduates on University news and research. / June 2010 and ongoing
June 2010 and ongoing / Aim 4, 5, 6
Foster networking opportunities for UK based graduates / Arrange small local and regional networking and social events, in co-operation with the Academic Schools.
Piggy-back onto appropriate University organised lectures, careers events, exhibitions, music and theatre productions – free or payable. / 2011 and ongoing
Ongoing / Aim 1,4,5
Encourage networking opportunities for overseas graduates / Support and promote in-country chapters.
In line with the University’s International Ambassadorial Scheme, publicise small events that can be hosted by visiting university senior management nominees, academics or international office staff in co-operation with the in-country chapters to minimise centrally organised large and expensive events.
Investigate the Elluminate online conferencing system with a view to promoting virtual meetings and get-togethers for graduates using Illuminate facilities / Ongoing
2011 onwards
Publicise end 2010/11 / Aim 1,4,5
Providing access to graduate records in Academic Schools for ease of communication and profile building / Organise training for all alumni champions in Academic Schools on the ThankQ database and set up access and updating rights.
Provide up-to-date graduate data including contact and employment information via the ThankQ database.
Promote and administrate the Alumni User Group, and work with Schools to populate the database. / June 2010
Daily data updating
Early 2010 and ongoing / Aim 4,5,6
Helping to promote postgraduate study / Publicise School research, new courses and ‘good news’ stories in Alumni communications and events.
Provide graduate profiles for use in prospectuses, course literature and for School web use. / 2010 and ongoing
2011/12
2010 ongoing / Aim 5,6
Encourage mentoring and student placement participation / Use our existing communication channels to source graduate mentors and appropriate student placement opportunities in Alumni communications. / 2011 and ongoing / Aim 1,5,6
Cultivate potential donors by building mutually-beneficial prospect relationships with the University / Research and identify prospects from existing and new data and involve them in a tailored programme of involvement in the University community. Measured by number of viable “prospects” on ThankQ database. / 2010 and ongoing / Aim 4,5
Work closely with Senior Management to cultivate major donors. Involve potential donors in the life and aims of the University through events, one-to-one communication and committees / Ensure that prospects meet with SMT on one-to-one basis and at events as appropriate. Ensure that SMT have necessary training, prospect profiles, etc to maximise on this.
Communications – N&Vs, Annual Report, Braduate Magazine. Events –Gala Dinner, and other appropriate prestigious events and lectures for their areas of expertise or interest. Measured by level of commitment offered and number of active relationships. / 2010 and ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing / Aim 4,5
Aim 2 - To seek regular feedback from alumni, prospects and donors and act on it to ensure that we are delivering professional and customer-focussed services and an appropriate and supportive infrastructure.
Objective / How achieved and measured / Time frame / Related Corporate AimProvide effective services which are important to our graduates / Produce regular questionnaire to survey alumni expectations, and provision requirements. Commit the resources to feed back to respondents on ideas and comments.
Reduce the yearly printed Braduate magazine in pagination and from A4 to A5 giving a 50% reduction in print, production and UK postal costs. On-line link only to be emailed to overseas graduates unless a printed copy specifically requested.
Produce regular e-newsletters in a professional format with tracking facilities to gauge effectiveness and ascertain what are the main areas of interest to graduates. / Ongoing
2009/10
2010/11 / Aim 5, 6
Reduce the monetary cost and impact on the environment / Make greater use of online communities for regular cost effective communications and networking.
Keep up-to-date with developing communication methods and adapt as appropriate.
Promote virtual meetings and get-togethers / 2010 and ongoing
Ongoing
2011/12 / Aim 6
Aim 3 - To enhance our relationship with alumni and prospects and effectively steward all donors throughtargeted events and communicationsand face-to-face involvement such as committee membership and speaker opportunities.
Objective / How achieved and measured / Time frame / Related Corporate AimMaintain regular communication with Honorary Graduates and cultivate their involvement to promote a Bradford education and contribute to the University’s financial well-being / Communications – N&Vs, Annual Report, Braduate Magazine, subject to available resources.
Events – Annual Gala Dinner, Bi-annual Honorary Graduate Dinner (London) and other appropriate prestige events and lectures for their areas of expertise or interest. Measured by level of commitment offered. / 2010 and ongoing
2010/11 / Aim 1, 4,5
Maintain communication with friends of the University to encourage support and donations, and create positive publicity. Steward existing and future donors in partnership with Schools / Departments / SMT / Communications – Establish a donor newsletter to send to donors and key prospects as appropriate. Plus use
News Views, Annual Report, case studies on website and publications
Events – Gala Dinner, Scholarship event, other prestige events, launches and lectures appropriate to their area of interest. One-to-one meetings. Involvement in University committees and in consultative roles.
Measured by the increase in active donor / friend relationships, and the goodwill we can maintain through stewardship. / 2010/11
2010 and ongoing / Aim 1,4,5
- Engage prospects through a programme of regular and well-attended events
Develop an active network of graduates who support each other and the University as ambassadors for recruitment, research, mentoring, career advice and fundraising initiatives / Encourage graduates to network with each other, for professional and social reasons. Activities could include local chapters, special interest groups, reunions and advising students, as preferred by the organisers. / 2011/12 / Aim 1,4,5
Aim 4 – To encourage all alumni and other prospects to give, in whatever way they can, to strengthen the future well being of the University and provide financial help which improves the student experience, helps widen participation and supports University activities.
Objective Objective / How achieved and measured / Time frame / Related Corporate AimBuild on the success of the Braduate Fund and holding an annual telethon / 2nd Braduate Fund telethon to be run over 3 weeks by consultants in February/March 2011. **
Investigate most cost-effective way to run future telethons.
Target to raise total of £183.280 by 2015, including Gift Aid and (for 2010 and 2011) Matched Funding. Pledges for money after 2014 not included.
These figures are estimated based on 2010 results and dependent on Investment fund support .** / Early 2011
Late 2011 / 1,4
Give overseas graduates the opportunity to donate. / A limited postal fundraising initiative will be organised to run concurrently with the 2nd telethon.** / Early 2011 / 1,4
- Work with the Press, Marketing and Academic teams to identify potential donors and promote giving / publicise gifts
“Open-door” attitude to encourage partnership working with Schools. Information about services and advice available to Schools.
Campus-wide dissemination of fundraising messages, information and strategy to inform and assist Departmental fundraising. / Ongoing
Ongoing
2010/11 onwards / Aim 4,6
- Increase legacy gifts
Supply legacy brochures to Schools for their use.
Currently 2 legacies pledged to the University. Target of securing 10 legacies by 2014. / Ongoing
2010/11 / Aim 4,5,6
Aim 5 –Helpimprove the student learning experience and employability of Bradford graduates through fundraising and the alumni community
Objective / How achieved and measured / Time frame / Related Corporate AimPromote graduate involvement with current students’ learning experiences by supporting existing mentoring schemes within the University / Contact graduates who have indicated on the recent survey that they would be interested in mentoring and providing career advice to students and ascertain their area of expertise.
Liaise with staff running schemes already across the University – such as the Career Development Services Mentoring programme and the Summer Experience Programme to offer alumni support.
Work with schools to see what other programmes exist that would benefit from alumni input. / 2011 and ongoing / 1,4
Encourage graduates to share their professional experience with current students / Investigate running small complimentary evening events on the University campus for a talk by a graduate(s) on a specific profession (subject to resources). Work with schools to offer events which appeal to busy graduates. / 2011/12 / 1,4
Raise funds for scholarships and hardship funds for students in need / Raise funds through annual alumni telethon**
Explore other prospects who may wish to support scholarships or the hardship fund / Ongoing / 1,3,5
Aim 6 - To build fundraising and alumni relations capacity and understanding throughout the University, cultivate a culture internally that supports the University’s fundraising and alumni activity.
Objective / How achieved and measured / Time frame / Related Corporate AimEnsure that a culture of giving and alumni engagement is encouraged and enabled throughout the organisation and that SMT are informed and involved / Administrate the Fundraising Steering Group, Fundraising Action Group and Alumni User Group. Submit reports to Council and ASPC as required. Measured by number of meetings and increase in understanding throughout the organisation. / Ongoing / Aim 6
Respond to all alumni, School and Departmental queries, providing fundraising advice to staff, students, prospects, donors and alumni. Support School /Department / UBU fundraising activities to develop staff / student fundraising capacity / “Open-door” attitude to encourage enquiries and requests for assistance. Make available information about services available to Schools and Departments.
Submit Fundraising Project / Naming Proposals to the Action and Steering Groups on behalf of Schools / Departments and advise on University policy in relation to these.
Share fundraising and alumni strategy and policy documents, and tools such as gift tables, case studies, gift agreement forms, etc
Measured by increase in use of ThankQ database and sharing of information. / Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing / Aim 6
Maintain alumni and fundraising database to track alumni communications and prospects / donors through the solicitation / stewardship cycle / Actively seek updated contact details and use returned post from mailings to improve data quality.
Add all relevant correspondence and other information to ThankQ and encourage others on campus to do the same.
Liaise regularly with the Systems and Policy Manager and Alumni User Group regarding ThankQ usage, updates, improvements, data sharing and user policies.
Measured by improvement in quality of data each year and positive reports from Departmental staff with database access. / Ongoing
Late 2010 onwards
Ongoing / Aim 5, 6
Maintain an online alumni and development presence and develop this to enable online ticketing and event promotion, more efficient updating of alumni contact details and more streamlined web donations / Add news, positive stories and invitations to events and activities to Facebook, and the University alumni / development websites on a regular basis.
Liaise regularly with the Systems and Policy Manager about additions and improvements to ThankQ, such as a web ticketing system that is integrated with University events and finance systems.
Work towards an online giving system that is integrated with the E5 finance system.** / Ongoing
Late 2010 onwards
Late 2011 / Aim 5
Encourage Schools / Departments to share information about contacts and fundraising projects to avoid conflicts of interest / duplicate approaches / Share policy and procedure documents, including a User Guide to ThankQ.
Lead by example, keeping ThankQ up to date and logging mailings, event attendance, etc promptly.
Keep in touch with Schools about their fundraising and alumni plans, to ensure a coordinated approach. / End 2010
Ongoing
Ongoing / Aim 5,6
Aim 7 - To undertake the following Priority Fundraising Projects.
- Scoping a 50th Anniversary Appeal**
- The Braduate Fund**
- The Sir Titus Salt building
- The Legacies programme
Objective / How achieved and measured / Time frame / Related Corporate Aim
Scope a 50th Anniversary Appeal / Hold a consultation dinner for people previously involved in a UoB feasibility study
Work with Compton Fundraising to create a draft case for support, timescale and resources study for the campaign (subject to funding). **
Research potential prospects and board members for this campaign **
Establish a campaign fundraising board, including senior internal and external lead donors ** / November 2010
2011
2011
2011 - 2012 / Aim 1,2,4,5
Raise funds through The Braduate Fund / See aim 4 / Ongoing / Aim 1,4,5
Raise funds for The Sir Titus Salt building / Work with the Dean of Management to identify and meet prospects with an affinity to the new building, especially alumni. Measured by income. / Ongoing / Aim 5,6
Secure new legacy pledges / Build relationships with potential legators and use the legacy brochure to discuss potential gifts.
Enable School representatives to also supply prospects with brochures and ensure that the brochure is available on the website.
Promote legacy giving at events and on Gift Agreement forms.
Measured by number of legacies – aim to secure 5 by 2012 and 10 by 2014. / 2011
Late 2010
Ongoing / Aim 1,2,4,5
Aim 8 - To undertake (in partnership with the University’s Finance team) financial management of philanthropic gifts, including the processing of donations and relevant reporting to HEFCE, HMRC, etc.
Objective / How achieved and measured / Time frame / Related Corporate AimEffectively process all philanthropic gifts to the University / Encourage the use of Gift Agreement forms, Gift Aid, and Matched Funding where appropriate, both internally and externally.
Register gifts and all related communication the ThankQ database. / Ongoing
Ongoing / Aim 4,5,6
Manage the distribution of funds raised, especially through The Braduate Fund Committee / Advise the Finance team as to where gifts should be directed, in accordance with the donor’s wishes and University policy.
Administrate the Braduate Fund Committee, and promote opportunities for grant applications, using case studies where possible to raise awareness and increase donations.
Report back to donors about the impact of their gifts, through online communications, The Braduate, Braduate Fund materials, e-newsletter and a donor’s newsletter as resources allow. / Ongoing
Ongoing
2011 / Aim 6
Manage gift vehicles such as payroll, telephone and online giving / Ensure that donors can give in whichever way is most convenient for them, within HEFCE / HMRC rules and University policy.
Work towards a more integrated and less labour-intensive online giving system, incorporating elements of E5 and ThankQ.** / Ongoing
Late 2011 / Aim 5,6
Report relevant donations to the Finance team for Matched Funding / Gift Aid claims / Ensure that relevant individual / corporate gifts are directed to D-code accounts, which Finance use for Gift Aid / Matched Funding claims.
Supply information about Braduate Fund donors to Finance.
Work towards using ThankQ to generate Gift Aid claims, reducing the workload for the Finance Team. / Ongoing
Ongoing
Late 2011 / Aim 6
Long-term Objectives 2013 – 2015
HEFCE funding cuts have impacted on the alumni and development budget, meaning that we have had to be selective in our ambitions for the short-term. In addition, the recession may mean that our student body is made up of more local students living at home, resulting in less affiliation to the University and reduced interaction / donations. The University has co-located the Alumni and Development Office although this is still under-resourced if we want to achieve similar fundraising results to other, similar institutions.
There are therefore some objectives that we are not currently including in our strategy for 2010-2013, as additional financial and staff resources would be required in the Alumni and Development Office to manage them. We hope that these activities will become viable after 2013:
- The setting up of a formal mentoring initiative where students can harness the experience of our graduate body.
- Evolving a system of relationship management by building links between the staff of the Alumni Office and students at the beginning of their studies in order to encourage loyalty after graduation
- Organising a scheme to encourage parents to become involved with the University, becoming ambassadors and donors, and possible providing mentoring and employment opportunities to students
- Building on the in-house services we currently offer to graduates and extending these services to include discounts from external providers for the benefit of our graduates and the University
- A Corporate Fundraising programme encouraging gifts from local / regional businesses
- Promotion of staff and payroll giving – this is not on hold due to resource but due to the current environment of Managing Staff Reductions and impending cuts (the systems have already been created). The environment will be reviewed and a roll-out considered when the timing is right.
- Prospect screening of our alumni database, to identify high-net-worth individuals and a dedicated Major Gifts programme to pursue these **
In addition, the 50th Anniversary Appeal planning will begin long before 2016, with a significant planning period, and a “silent” phase where we would hope to raise half of the target amount, prior to making the appeal public. We will take advice from a Fundraising Consultancy from late 2010 and a professional feasibility study will be required to enable the University to set appropriate targets, timescales and a case for support for this appeal. **