Fundraising | The University Advancement Blog

25 Jan

Make a gift, build a brand (internally)

The following is an December 2016 post that I wrote for Inside Higher Ed’s Call to Action marketing and communications blog. For a university’s brand strategy to be focused, authentic, compelling, differentiating, and enduring, it must be built from the inside out....
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23 Oct

5 questions with Penn State Sr. VP Rod Kirsch

Rodney Kirsch, Senior Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at Penn State University, is one of the consummate professionals in our field. Many thanks to Rod for participating in the “5 Questions” series. His perspective on the future of...
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11 Oct

From CURRENTS magazine: Taking the lifelong view

The following is an article that I wrote for the September 2013 issue of CURRENTS magazine, published by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Taking the Lifelong View Indiana University East smashed its silos, embraced student affairs, and...
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4 Mar

Book review: The Story Factor

In 2010 Chas Grundy, a marketing and fundraising professional at the University of Notre Dame, told me about the book The Story Factor. Chas is a great colleague; he shares excellent content via Non-Profit Chas and grundyhome.com, and we both serve on...
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22 Sep

5 questions with E. Gordon Gee

Whether it’s the signature bow tie or comments about the BCS (Bowl Championship Series), E. Gordon Gee is one of the most recognized figures in higher education. Dr. Gee, now in his second stint as president of Ohio State University,...
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5 Sep

5 questions with Penelope Burk

As I’ve stated before, every advancement officer should read Penelope Burk’s Donor-Centered Fundraising. The book is the only statistically-based research ever published on the effect of meaningful communication on donor retention and gift value. Author, trainer, presenter, and president of...
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30 Jun

Send them on a cruise: How to deal with your predecessor

I recently attended a retirement dinner for Doug Bennett, who steps down this week as president of Earlham College after 14 years of exemplary leadership. (President Bennett has one of the most eclectic and insightful blogs, The Observatory, of any...
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7 Feb

Book review: The First 120 Days: What a College President Must Do To Succeed

If you’re in development, then you’re likely familiar with Dr. Jerold Panas. Two of his books – Asking and Mega Gifts – should be on any fundraiser’s short list. His latest book, The First 120 Days: What a New College...
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5 Jan

5 questions with Chuck Loring

I recently presented at the AFP Indiana Conference (Association of Fundraising Professionals), and my session (“Changing Organizational Culture to Embrace the Social Web”) was outdrawn by a concurrent one titled “Creating a Dynamic Board that Can Fundraise.” Anything dealing with...
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29 Nov

Book review: Tiny Essentials of Donor Loyalty

Tiny Essentials of Donor Loyalty is the latest in the “Tiny Essentials” series and is written by one of philanthropy’s premier scholars, Adrian Sargeant, professor at Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy. True to its title, the short book is excellent,...
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The University Advancement Blog

Rob Zinkan's thoughts and recommended readings on university advancement

Category Archives: Fundraising