with an enrollment of 5,600, and later
at the State Center Community College
Foundation in California’s Central
Valley, with an enrollment of more
than 30,000—I’ve learned that any
planned-giving strategy must be
tailored to the needs of the local
community.
Keys for a successful program
include:
■ Identifying a bright, mature, person-
able employee who is comfortable
with older people and who has a
genuine interest in spending time
with potential donors, and providing
that person the following:
• Time—at least half or quarter time
devoted to cultivation of planned-
gift donors.
• Training—three- or four-week
programs can provide the essential
vocabulary and understanding of
the basic instruments of estate
planning.
• Planned-giving software—to
offer as a service to community
professionals. The products offer
invaluable instructional modules
and often provide access to staff
attorneys.
For colleges that focus primarily on
corporate fundraising, it is even more
important to develop a balance of board
members who represent the private
sector. At the College of Southern
Idaho in Twin Falls, for example, the
predominant industry was agriculture.
As such, several people in the com-
munity had wealth in land or other
nonliquid assets, most of which could
be accessed only through estates.
Joan Edwards is interim vice president of
institutional advancement for the College
of Western Idaho.
Is this your Early Alert System?
“I’m not sure I can begin to tell you how GradesFirst has enhanced
our operation, not to mention our credibility with our students and
faculty. I’ma believerand Thank YouforGradesFirst.”
Kris Livingston - University of Colorado
