Case Study

Suffolk University

Challenge

Founded in 1906, Suffolk University is a comprehensive university, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees through its three schools: Suffolk Law School, Sawyer School of Management, and the College of Arts and Sciences. Since 1991, Suffolk had achieved tremendous growth, including a significant enhancement of its scholastic programs, increased student enrollment, the recruitment of nationally known faculty, and expanded local and international campuses.

Suffolk’s mission is to provide quality education at an affordable cost for students of all ages and backgrounds. In 2001, Suffolk University’s President recognized the importance of raising significantly more revenue from philanthropic sources in order to advance its mission. He asked Development Guild/DDI to assess Suffolk’s philanthropic potential, and recommend a strategy to leverage opportunities in anticipation of a centennial celebration in 2006.

Strategy

During the initial assessment, Development Guild/DDI staff reviewed the University’s fundraising infrastructure, staff, leadership, strategies, programs, and opportunities; and presented the President with options for strengthening the University’s fundraising program. The President chose to aggressively make fundraising a high priority across the institution and retained Development Guild/DDI to create a Master Plan for Advancement.

During the planning process, Development Guild/DDI staff provided interim on-site counsel to ensure that the fundraising program continued to move forward. This counsel included advising alumni affairs staff, managing corporate and foundation relations, supporting faculty in the proposal-writing process, and drafting a budget for the development office.

The President also retained Development Guild/DDI to recruit a talented Vice President for Advancement to implement the Master Plan. Since the arrival of the Vice President and the completion of the Master Plan, Development Guild/DDI has conducted two senior level searches for the development office, advised the President and the new Vice President on implementation of the Master Plan, and provided coaching and team-building support.

Results

In one year, Suffolk has significantly increased its investment in advancement and refocused its efforts towards major gifts fundraising. Since the new VP’s arrival in 2002, she has assembled a team of over 19 development professionals, many of whom are new to the University. In a spirit of teamwork, the staff are collaboratively defining and implementing a new vision for advancement. Compared to FY 2001, Suffolk’s new gifts and pledges have already increased by 17%, and the number of donors and pledgers has increased by 35%. With the new team now firmly in place, Suffolk University is well positioned to generate the resources it needs to celebrate its upcoming centennial.