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Portage College, Fund Development Strategy

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Reinventing Alumni Engagement and Fund Development at Portage College

Colleges worldwide face ongoing challenges in maintaining alumni engagement and securing donor partnerships. Industry statistics highlight that engagement rates can be as low as 10-15% among alumni, reflecting broader issues of communication and perceived relevance. Fundraising efforts are similarly impacted by economic variability and competitive funding environments, making strategic planning and engagement more crucial than ever.

In 2023, Portage College launched a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing its alumni engagement and fund development strategies. This was prompted by the college’s recognition of the need for a more focused and resource-effective approach to fostering relationships with alumni and donors to fully leverage its regional impact.

Portage College has been integral to academic excellence and community development. However, the college faced significant challenges, including inconsistent communications with alumni and donors, and underutilization of its regional influence. Notably, the college struggled with limited awareness of its programs and the Museum of Aboriginal Peoples’ Art and Artifacts.

Impact & Benefits

The strategic initiatives implemented by Incite have laid a foundation for enhanced alumni and donor engagement:

  • Revitalized Alumni Connections: The introduction of mentorship and ambassador programs will begin to transform how alumni interact with and support the college.
  • Enhanced Engagement Strategies: The adoption of these recommendations is anticipated to foster more meaningful connections with alumni and donors, aligned with the newly defined brand personality and strategic messaging.
  • Improved Communication and Fundraising Efforts: By refining communication strategies and the fund development process, the college is positioned to attract more significant support and participation from its community and beyond.
  • Strengthened Regional Influence: By capitalizing on its regional presence, the college will attract broader interest and support, which is expected to grow as these strategies mature.

”We are immensely grateful for the strategic insights provided by Incite. Their comprehensive analysis and tailored recommendations have equipped us with the tools to revamp our engagement approaches and to communicate more effectively with our key stakeholders.

Nancy BroadbentPresident and CEO, Portage College

Incite-led Deliverables

Incite provided strategic recommendations across several key areas to help Portage College redefine its engagement strategies. These recommendations included:

  1. Brand Personality and Key Messaging:
    • Positioning and Key Messaging: Strategic advice was provided on how to effectively communicate with alumni and ideal corporate donors, ensuring messages are aligned with the college’s values and goals.
    • Brand Personality: Incite helped articulate a brand personality that resonates with current educational trends and the college’s unique attributes found through internal and external research, ensuring relevance and appeal in its communications.
  1. Stakeholder Profiling:
    • Ideal Donor and Alumni Profiles: Incite guided the college in defining the profiles of ideal donors and alumni, including their needs and pain points, to tailor engagement strategies more effectively.
  1. Strategic Implementation Plan:
    • Digital and Communication Strategies: Recommendations for updating the website and branding the alumni program were provided, alongside strategies for enhancing social media presence and newsletters.
    • Event Strategy: Incite suggested a comprehensive event strategy aimed at boosting alumni, donor, and community engagement, ensuring events are strategically aligned with the college’s objectives.
    • Fund Development Process: Guidance on the entire fund development cycle, including identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors, was detailed to optimize fundraising efforts.
    • Alumni Engagement Enhancements: Recommendations for creating stronger alumni ambassadors and developing a mentorship program were provided to deepen alumni relations and engagement.

Conclusion

The strategic consultation provided by Incite represents a crucial step in Portage College’s efforts to enhance its alumni engagement and fund development strategies. The recommendations offered are intended to guide the college through the implementation of more effective and cohesive strategies, positioning it for greater success in its community engagement initiatives.

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