The Collins Group Blog » Higher Education

All Alumni are Not the Same

Dana Van Nest — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:39:13 +0000

I loved graduate school. I moved across the country to attend grad school and not only had a wonderful adventure, but a fantastic education that I truly value. I loved it so much, that a decade later I am still paying for that education and will be until my own child leaves for college a decade from now.

But I have a big beef with my college. Their donor communications to me (eNews, eBlasts, event notifications) and phone solicitations are all geared toward remembering my storied undergraduate experience.

Remember living in the dorms? Nope. I lived in a crappy apartment across the river with my singer/songwriter/poet boyfriend (Hey, it was the 90s and I was in my 20s. Seemed like a good idea at the time.) Remember that bar that everyone hung out at? Nope. We grad students had no money and if we did, we hung out at that other bar – the one where the grad students hung out. Remember Parent’s Weekend/the freshman mixer/classes at the…NO! I don’t remember because I had none of those experiences.

Don’t call me to ask for a gift that is three times the amount of my last one (and what’s your rationale for that?) and invoked the new theatre complex and dorms as a reason I should give. I was in the graduate writing program – doesn’t it say that in my record? Ask me to give to the graduate school, the School of the Arts, or, even better, the Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing. Because that’s what I care about; that was my experience.

I don’t want to give my college a gift because it is clear that they haven’t considered the best way to approach me. I know I give small gifts – but I still want to feel special; like they know me.

Later this week I’ll post on an organization that made me feel special – and in return, inspired me to give my first significant major gift.

Grover Explains “Getting the Green” for Community Colleges

Dana Van Nest — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:15:57 +0000

Stuart Grover, TCG’s Chairman Emeritus, debuted his latest book “Getting the Green: Fundraising Campaigns for Community Colleges” this week. With community colleges facing increased enrollment and decreased public funding, ”Getting the Green” offers community college–specific guidance for every step of planning, carrying out, and following up fundraising campaigns.

A 30+ year veteran of the nonprofit sector, Stuart published his first book “Capital Campaigns: A Guide for Board Members and Others Who Aren’t Professional Fundraisers but Who Will Be the Heroes Who Create a Better Community” after retiring from full-time work with TCG. While we miss his wisdom and wit in the office, we’re happy that he’s had the opportunity to craft these books and share his extensive expertise with the greater community.

You can purchase “Getting the Green” at http://www.aacc.nche.edu/Publications/Pages/Product.aspx?Product_Id=623

“Capital Campaigns” is available at http://www.amazon.com/Capital-Campaigns-Professional-Fundraisers-Community/dp/0595414729/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252010129&sr=1-1

Congratulations on your latest publication, Stuart!

Welcome to The Collins Group Blog!

Dana Van Nest — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:12:49 +0000

We at The Collins Group spend a great deal of time thinking about the state of the nonprofit sector, both here at home in the Northwest and across the country. We share a great deal of this information amongst ourselves on a daily basis and with our clients, and wanted a way to share thoughts with a greater audience — without sending an email to our whole list every few days. So, welcome to our blog! We will share writing among our staff so you will get a variety of thoughts and opinions to consider and react to.

We hope you enjoy our new endeavor!