© 2019 PENNINGTON & COMPANY FUNDRAISING, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 34
$750 to $1,000 (one alumna)
$500 (three alumnae)
$250 to $500 (one alumna)
$100 to $200 (one alumna)
Twenty-three alumnae were not comfortable giving an estimate during the study.
Ten alumnae were unsure if they will give.
Three alumnae will not make a gift.
Of the top 10 estimates, seven alumnae responded that they would be willing to be
one of the first donors to the campaign. Early support from influential alumnae will
help create momentum early in the campaign. Additionally, seven of the top 10
donors indicated they may be able to make an early payment on their pledge.
It should be noted that the perceived giving capability of some prominent
Mississippi Beta alumnae may be greater than their actual propensity to give as
indicated in the feasibility study interviews. The appearance of great wealth is not
an accurate measure of discretionary income available for the project, nor does it
indicate that a particular alumna has the desire or willingness to support the project
to the degree others might assume.
Pennington & Company's experience shows that a group can expect 20-25% of
mailable alumnae to make any type of gift to a campaign. Of that 20-25%, 10
donors are needed to make gifts totaling approximately half of the campaign goal;
and four to five solid prospects are required for each of the top 10 gifts. The
interviewed alumnae were asked to make gift estimates over a five-year period.
Any accelerated requests for gifts or changes in personal circumstances could
significantly alter those estimates.
Alumnae were informed of the potential to make tax-deductible gifts through the
Pi Beta Phi Foundation. Chart J illustrates how alumnae responded when asked how
important receiving a tax deduction would be when deciding to support a campaign.
