The Ohio University Foundation will publicly announce the launch of a seven-year fundraising campaign in upcoming months to raise an estimated $300 million for the OU coffer.
Howard Lipman, vice president for University Advancement and OU Foundation president and CEO, reported the goals and objectives of a major fundraising campaign expected to begin within the year at the Board of Trustee meeting yesterday.
I think the goal is going to be somewhere north of $300 million
he said.
Each campaign starts with a planning stage, called the silent stage, where committees produce feasibility and spending plans to attain the eventual goal. Lipman maintains that it's difficult to set a goal without research about what funds and contributors are available.
The minute you start going into the silent phase everyone knows we are having a campaign but now we are moving to a public campaign
he said.
The campaign's success will depend on volunteers to inform and engage more Ohio alumni about their university
he said. Deans and senior administrators will also be provided more opportunities for fundraising.
Another major target for the campaign will be mid-level donors, whose donations range from $10,000 to $49,000. In the upcoming campaign, mid-level donors will be solicited through personal visits. -
he said.
In the past 20 years, both fundraising plans have raised more than their goal amounts.
Fundraisers during the most recent seven-year fundraising campaign, which ended in 2004, collected $21 million more than their $200 million goal. Fundraisers during the campaign that ended in 1997 collected $32 million more than their $100 million goal.
However, the recent shift in the economy may put a damper on their fundraising efforts.
I'm a little concerned
to be honest with you
Lipman said in response to a question from trustee Gene Harris about the effect of the current state of the economy on fundraising.
We are crossing our fingers and knocking on wood
he said.
17
