© 2019 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 that alumnae see the necessity for a renovation and expansion
of the chapter house as shown by 98% of interviewees ranking the project as "Very
Important" or "Important" to the chapter's continued success on campus. Nearly
every interviewed alumna shared a positive experience and feels a sense of pride in
her Mississippi Beta membership as is evident with 97% of the alumnae being
"Very Interested" or "Interested" in the chapter. Alumnae are engaged with Ole
Miss and understand the need to remain competitive on campus. While some
alumnae do have some concerns about the ability to finance the project, the vast
majority feel confident in the alumnae leadership to make an informed decision
moving forward. Recruiting a strong volunteer board out of the 46 alumnae
interested and developing a detailed case for support will only strength the support
for this campaign.
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. Five leadership gift estimates
were provided during the study, but not all 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 $1.5 million—and a stretch goal of $2
million—is attainable through gifts and pledges payable over a five-year period. A
14-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
