Minnesota Alpha Chapter of Pi Beta Phi at the University of Minnesota
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1065206
© 2018 PENNINGTON & COMPANY FUNDRAISING, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 36 IV. Conclusions and Recommendations A. Conclusions Based on the information gathered during the feasibility study, Pennington & Company concludes alumnae have a strong affinity to Pi Beta Phi. All interviewees ranked Minnesota Alpha as "The Best" or "Among the Best" when in school and have a desire to see the chapter continue to excel at the University of Minnesota. The majority of interview participants feel that a building project is important to the future of the chapter, and nearly three-fourths of those with a project preference favored renovating and expanding the chapter house. Eighty-eight percent of women interviewed said they would expect to make a gift to the chapter and 86% believe the Minnesota Alpha Chapter House Corporation must proceed with a capital campaign to ensure the chapter's continued success. Alumnae also said having project plans, campaign details, and a timeline would build confidence and potentially influence greater participation and giving. For a $3 million campaign goal to be feasible, 10 six-figure and mid-five-figure pledges are needed to fulfill the leadership-level gifts. Two leadership gift estimates were provided during the study, but not all of the needed leadership gifts were identified to recommend a $3 million goal. Pennington & Company's experience shows that the top 10 gifts will total approximately half of the overall campaign total. Pennington & Company concludes that, if a strong case for support is developed and the following recommendations are adopted and implemented throughout the campaign, a minimum fundraising goal of $600,000—and a stretch goal of $1 million—is attainable through gifts and pledges payable over a five-year period. A 12-month capital campaign followed by an additional 12-24 months of direct-mail solicitations is recommended. In our judgement, if additional high five-figure and six-figure gifts are secured early in the process, the ability to fundraise a higher amount is more realistic. We must carefully challenge each donor to be involved in the campaign (particularly those whose giving capability is known) and to stretch