Connections to Contributions: The Office of Advancement Engages Alumni and Donors to Support Michigan Ross
Located on the fourth floor of the Kresge Building, the Office of Advancement is the Michigan Ross center for engaging alumni and developing philanthropic relationships. The Office’s primary focus is building relationships with alumni and donors to support the mission of Michigan Ross.
“We engage our alums and donors through personal relationships, myriad activities, volunteer opportunities, regular communications, and philanthropic opportunities – all of which are tied to a fundamental focus on educating them on how to be great advocates and supporters of Ross, as well as identifying and deepening their relationship with this institution,” said Matthew Young, chief advancement officer.
Strategic initiatives to enhance engagement and philanthropy
Led by Young, the Office of Advancement is comprised of approximately 30 individuals in various roles, including major gift officers and communications and engagement specialists. Currently, the team’s major focus is a newly launched giving campaign called Look to Michigan Ross. The campaign aims to boost support for student scholarships and experiences, support research on foundational business principles and pressing issues, and expand Michigan Ross’s reputation, reach, and brand.
“This is a multi-year project that is going to catapult Ross from our first 100 years to the next 100 years,” said Young. “It’s fundraising for strategic priorities or strategic areas and engaging our alums in ways that move us forward as an institution.”
Outside of the Look the Michigan Ross campaign, the Advancement team hosts many annual events to keep alums and donors engaged with Ross. One important event is homecoming weekend, celebrating milestone class years and inviting alums back to campus for reunions with their classmates and faculty. Advancement’s homecoming celebrations typically bring nearly 1,000 alums to campus over the course of one weekend, offering them the opportunity to hear from speakers and network across graduating classes.
The Advancement team also coordinates Alumni RossTalks throughout the year in major cities worldwide with a strong alumni presence. Typically, these events bring together alums, faculty, and the dean for conversations with area business leaders and opportunities for networking.
Additionally, each year, the team puts on a Donors and Scholars reception to show appreciation for scholarship donors and introduce them to the students who are receiving their support.
“This is a very special event since it may be the only opportunity students have to interact with and meet their donors, and it allows donors to see first-hand the impact they have on the student experience,” said Caitlin Johnson, director of alumni engagement.
Strengthening connections across the school
Another key focus for the Advancement team is collaborating with partners across the school to identify programs and initiatives that could benefit from support.
“We fundraise for areas across the school where donor interest aligns with meaningful opportunities and the school’s mission,” said Young. “And for us to do that well, we have to better understand what those areas, programs, centers, and institutes are doing and how alums and donors can help expedite, streamline, and elevate their work.”
The Advancement Office supports programs and initiatives through donor-funded scholarships and action-based learning opportunities, such as those offered by the Michigan Ross centers, institutes, and initiatives. The Office also works to support faculty research that impacts society. Additionally, the Advancement Office’s funding can help expand education programs and other strategic initiatives that elevate the Michigan Ross brand.
“While we are unable to pursue every philanthropic or engagement opportunity, if people feel comfortable sharing ideas and connections with us, we can better support them by helping to realize the full potential of whatever they may be trying to accomplish,” said Young.
Teambuilding and a culture of support
Outside of engaging and maintaining relationships with alums, donors, and the Michigan Ross community, the Office of Advancement emphasizes nurturing the working relationships among its team.
Each year, the team attends an annual retreat to ensure that everyone is strategically aligned in their efforts and understands the overarching goals of supporting the school’s mission.
According to Young and Johnson, the Advancement team also likes to have fun. They have a Culture Committee that focuses on opportunities to bring the team together, whether it be pairing up colleagues for “getting to know you” lunches or organizing activities around holidays throughout the year.
“We schedule regular meetings to encourage one-on-one conversation and learn about each other both personally and professionally,” said Johnson. “It’s really important to our team to build relationships with each other as well as alums, donors, and our colleagues across the school.”
