Comprehensive Fundraising Campaigns

This book includes case studies of comprehensive campaigns at eight varied institutions of higher education. In each case, a campaign was part of an institutional strategy for growth and change. Many of the campaigns marked a turning point in the institution’s history. They are not just stories about campaigns, they are examples of institutional strategies for growth and change.The case studies include widely varied institutions: a relatively young private university campaigning to enhance its research standing; a distinguished private university moving beyond near-destruction to pursue bold goals; a prestigious public university aiming to sustain momentum in its third century; a public university raising funds to enhance its own programs and bring economic rejuvenation to its region; a public university focused on the economic mobility of its diverse students and undertaking its first campaign; a unique liberal arts college turning to philanthropy to implement an innovative new financial model; a distinguished historically Black college for women seeking resources to continue and increase its excellence; and a community college raising funds to help address urgent economic and social priorities of the city and county that it serves. Their campaign goals ranged from $40 million to $5 billion!

'Comprehensive' describes not only the kind of campaigns Michael Worth investigates and illuminates in this book but also the approach he takes to the subject matter and the result he impressively produces. This objective, extensive, and thoroughly researched guide explores the comprehensive campaign through many lenses and case studies of very different institutions of higher learning. No wonder. Worth's advancement credits include practitioner and senior administrative leader, teacher, scholar, and consultant. Worth the author brings them all to bear on this topic to create a cornerstone text for anyone and everyone thinking about, actively planning, or seeking to better execute a comprehensive campaign.--James M. Langley, President, Langley Innovations; former Vice President for Advancement, Georgetown University, In his latest work on higher education comprehensive campaigns, Michael Worth proves again that his voice is unquestionably among the most important in understanding the current import of these formal fundraising initiatives in an evolving higher education sector. Based on a broad variety of institutions, the book is a strategic guide for development officers, higher education CEO's and governing board members. It's a must read!--Richard D. Legon, President, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Michael Worth's new book provides interesting examples of how the traditional comprehensive campaign model has been adapted to unique institutional circumstances. It also discusses trends in higher education and philanthropy that may reshape and redefine campaigns in the future. These insights will be of interest to advancement professionals as well as other college and university leaders who are considering strategies for achieving long-term goals.--Karin L. George, Managing Principal and Co-Owner of Washburn & McGoldrick, LLC; Former Vice President for Advancement, Smith College

Michael J. Worth is Professor of Nonprofit Management and former Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs at the George Washington University. While vice president, he planned and directed two comprehensive campaigns. He was previously Director of Development at the University of Maryland. He has written other books, including Leading the Campaign (2017) and, with co-editor Matthew T. Lambert, Advancing Higher Education: New Strategies for Fundraising, Philanthropy, and Engagement (2019).