Principal gifts success starts with staffing

The centralized vs. decentralized debate

95%

Of gift revenue comes from 5% of donors

Two staffing models currently dominate the principal giving conversation. Some institutions rely on a decentralized, unit-based staffing model. In these cases, frontline fundraisers are embedded in academic divisions. These fundraisers can quickly become experts on the fields of study housed within that unit and build long-term relationships with faculty conducting cutting-edge research. These staff members often work closely with deans and other senior administrators to connect donors to the deans’ strategic goals for the unit, and their prospect pools often mirror the alumni base from that unit.

Alternatively, principal gift fundraisers who are housed in the central development office often have a higher-level view of institutional priorities and campaign funding goals that are multidisciplinary in nature.

When alumni are interested in supporting projects that are not linked to their original field of study, these fundraisers are best-placed to show them any and all potential areas where they could make an impact. A centrally housed fundraiser is often tasked with staffing the president, provost, or other senior leaders, since they are knowledgeable about any institutional project or program.

Often the principal gifts office is staffed based on their entire fundraising strategy. In entirely-decentralized shops, principal gift officers are housed in the units, whereas centralized shops rely on centrally located principal gifts staff. For smaller advancement shops, major gift officers may also be involved in principal giving efforts, increasing the importance of assigning clear lines of responsibility for these prospects.

“Moving toward a hybrid model”

Neither model is perfect. Decentralized principal gifts staff often lack the knowledge and incentives necessary to work with donors on multidisciplinary projects. Centralized staff may be less connected to faculty members within each unit, making it harder to identify smaller projects that match a donor’s interests. In order to move beyond these issues, some institutions are moving toward a hybrid model of principal gifts staffing.

At one institution with a decentralized development operation, fundraisers are still based in each unit. They are expected to build relationships with faculty members, work with deans, and collaborate across campus as necessary. However, the prospect research team is based in the central advancement office.

As a result, prospects are placed in pools based on their interests, not the college or school from which they graduated. Furthermore, central principal gifts staff serve an advisory role on strategy for all prospects, helping frontline fundraisers link their own prospects to multidisciplinary projects on campus. The president is staffed by a fundraiser housed in the central development office who coordinates with unit-based fundraisers to determine how to involve deans and faculty in building a donor relationship over time.

As a result of this hybrid structure, the institution is able to benefit from efficiencies in central advancement services while still enabling fundraisers to build deep relationships with faculty members in each unit. Serving in an advisory role allows prospect research and management to show its value to frontline fundraisers and ensure that principal gifts moves management is a seamless process from start to finish.

“But some things never change”

Regardless of how you staff principal gifts, aligning gift proposals to donor interests remains paramount. Furthermore, stewarding principal gifts cannot be neglected. Faculty and staff in units that receive principal gifts should be prepared to engage with donors and communicate impact. Advancement staff should coordinate who will be responsible for which steps in the stewardship process, and should clarify expectations with faculty members.

Keeping communication channels open across campus will ensure that the principal gift process engages donors from start to finish, while allowing multidisciplinary projects to flourish across campus. For more on this topic, download our infographic The Donor Investor Imperative to learn about what investors seek from higher ed institutions. Download the infographic.