Building a Case for Support

Building a Case for Support

Dec. 20, 2005

By Abny Santicola

Capital campaigns are an essential component to universities' fundraising efforts. And with state funding for public institutions on a consistently downward slide, universities have had to step up their money garnered from such campaigns.

Bruce Matthews, senior consultant and leader of the higher education practice at Chicago-based fundraising, executive search, and marketing and communications services firm Campbell & Co., should know. He's been working with higher-education institutions for 20 years on what he calls comprehensive campaigns. The first capital campaigns, Matthews explains, were done specifically to build new buildings or facilities, but since then the concept has evolved into what are now called comprehensive campaigns, which can involve annual giving, major and planned gifts, special projects, money for programs, endowment and capital campaigns. And donors can give to whichever they choose.