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University Advancement Planning Goal #2
2002-2006

1. What is a visionary goal that your unit set? 

To conduct a 5-year comprehensive campaign for capital and scholarship development

2. What information and data did you use to set this goal? 

In order for PLNU to fulfill its vision to be “a leading Wesleyan voice in higher education,” the University needs to support the work of its science departments (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematical, Information and Computer Sciences, and Physics and Engineering).  These departments have a reputation for excellence in faculty and student research and have received many grants for research and for community outreach.  The main hindrance to their work is an outdated building which the programs have outgrown.  To replace this building with a science complex is going to take significant financial resources.

In addition, the cost of a university education continues to rise and PLNU desires to enlarge its resources for awarding student scholarships.

3. What actions did you take to try to reach this goal?

  • Detailed research and planning work by the science departments on the necessary parameters for a new science complex began in the late 1990’s.  At that time preliminary plans were drawn and a cost estimate for the building was developed.
  • Over the last several years these plans have evolved
  • In 2004 the development of a campaign for the building and scholarships was named one of the University’s six strategic goals for 2004-2006.  The action items for this goal are:
    • Prospect research to be conducted
    • Major donor development and solicitation
    • Campaign goals and corresponding action plans developed
    • Determine the scope and design of the capital projects
    • Cultivation/Solicitation/Contact Management system developed and implemented
    • Departmental resource information compiled (this action item was deleted since it overlaps with other action items)
    • Communication and Marketing plan designed
    • Constituent appeal structure designed and implemented
  • The Development Office has strategically been working to strengthen relationships with key constituents and expand the donor base.

4. What progress did you make?

  • Prospect research conducted
    • We are seeking to secure a lead gift of approximately $5 million that would make this project "doable."
    • Individuals or Foundations that have this type of capacity have been identified
    • Prospect research continues the use of both external consultants and internal analysis.   This has included using The Foundation Director software and the consulting services of Marts and Lundy.
  • Major Donor development and solicitation
    • Some major donors have been solicited for a “lead gift” but such a gift has not yet been secured.
    • The Development Office has a strategic plan for donor expansion and cultivation (see Appendices 1-3 for the plan and action step tracking)
    • The institutional database has been identified as a potential hindrance in achieving this goal. Therefore, great effort has been expended at reaching a definitive answer in this regard and exploring the true capabilities of the current system as well as the possibility of moving to a stand-alone database that is oriented toward fundraising.
  • Campaign Goals and corresponding action plans developed
    • Compilation of key "campaign" support data has been gathered and preliminary case-statement work has begun (see Case Statement - Science Facilities for an early draft).
    • Ideas have been generated around a "three-" or "four-pronged" strategy that would utilize a variety of resource pockets to reduce the needed amount to secure through fundraising.
  • Determine scope and design of capital projects
    • The chairs of all departments in the Science Complex met and discussed needed modifications to the set of plans developed roughly five years ago.
    • Work has continued with the architects and key external consultants to determine how the project could be "value-engineered" without giving up quality and program requirements (see Architectural Information).

5. What information and data did you use to evaluate your progress?

Up to this point there has been a great deal of background work done on donors and campaign preparations.  All of the details of the campaign have yet to be developed.  Progress will be more visible once the campaign is underway.

Supporting Documents:

Development Office Strategic Plan
Development Office Planning Schedule 2004-2005
Development Office Planning Schedule 2005-2006
Preliminary Case Statement
Architectural Information
Architectural Drawings (January 2000)
Architectural Drawings (November 2004)