© 2019 PENNINGTON & COMPANY FUNDRAISING, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 35
personal support, 69% of alumnae would likely make a gift to the campaign.
Moreover, 28 alumnae are willing to help volunteer for this effort. However, only
one leadership gift estimate was provided during the study, and not all of the needed
leadership gifts were identified to recommend an $800,000 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 $200,000—and a stretch goal of
$300,000—is attainable through gifts and pledges payable over a five-year period.
Three months of consulting followed by an additional nine 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
her giving beyond comfortable levels. Appendix B shows the gifts required to
achieve these campaign goals.
The attainment of this minimum goal will take a significant amount of time and
effort. Success will require recruiting a few key individuals early on to make a
commitment of their time and financial resources to this campaign. Face-to-face
solicitation calls will be required to secure the larger leadership gifts needed to
reach the minimum goal. Involvement in the solicitation process by well-known,
influential alumnae will help raise the sights of other alumnae and persuade them
to make more significant gifts. Success at this level is best assured through face-to-
face solicitation by a qualified professional and, whenever possible, an influential
alumna.
It is important to recognize that alumnae who make a major investment in this
project will ask tough questions regarding financing and maintenance plans. To
