University Advancement Blog | Rob Zinkan

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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14 Aug

New visual identity: Seton Catholic Schools

This week marks the beginning of the school year for area K–12 schools, and it is a time of great excitement at Seton Catholic Schools. Earlier this year I joined the board of directors at Seton Catholic, a pre-K–12 school...
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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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8 Apr

Indiana Public Relations Leadership Summit recap

Last week I attended the annual Indiana Public Relations Leadership Summit in Indianapolis. This year’s theme was Creating, Building, and Defending Brands. William Whitman Jr., Vice President of Communications at McDonald’s USA gave an excellent keynote. The audience was enthralled...
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18 Feb

5 questions with Robert Moore

During the past seven months, I have twice had the fortune of hearing Dr. Robert Moore speak at conferences. Rob is President and CEO of Lipman Hearne and author of The Real U: Building Brands That Resonate with Students, Faculty,...
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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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28 Dec

Reflections on 2010

I’m wrapping up year one of the University Advancement Blog, and I hope it’s proven to be a resource for you. I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for my institution and for our team to...
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20 Dec

CASE V recap: Lessons in loyalty

Thanks to all those involved in making this year’s CASE V Conference a success. I was honored to be a part of the conference, presenting “The Heretic’s Guide to Marketing to Millennials” with colleague John Dalton. The University Advancement Blog...
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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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