Could a Blended Campaign Be Your Answer to Achieving a Fundraising Goal that Seems Out of Reach?

Feeling pressure to launch an impactful fundraising comprehensive campaign, but worried about hitting a lofty goal?

There's a new game-changing approach: a Blended Campaign.

What is a “blended campaign”?

A blended campaign is a new, innovative way to build a comprehensive campaign that may let you more than triple your dollar total goal while not putting added pressure on fundraising. It combines the dollars brought in through philanthropic gifts with the commitments secured from university sponsored projects/research.

Is this type of blended campaign right for your institution?

• Does your institution secure significant research/sponsored project commitments?

• Is your college still growing philanthropically or striving to reach its full fundraising potential?

• Is your university leadership or board considering a campaign with a larger dollar goal than your current fundraising capacity and resources can support?

• Are you concerned that setting a realistic campaign goal might be perceived as too small or not impactful enough?

• Are your fundraising efforts often overshadowed by universities with larger campaigns?

Benefits of a blended campaign:

1. Report higher dollar amounts secured through research $ + philanthropic $ – boards and university leadership especially love this!

2. Increase opportunities for impact storytelling - showcasing transformation in action as a result of both research and philanthropy investments to your community.

3. Showcase your university's research prowess, attracting government and foundation investments, while attracting crucial philanthropic gifts – this is especially helpful for cultivating potential lead donors of newer initiatives.

4. Get faculty excited - their research becomes a fundraising centerpiece! This will strengthen the culture of philanthropy across campus — your Deans, Provost and President will be thrilled!

5. Foster institutional pride – be a model of innovation with this new type of campaign.

Join the increasing number of universities that have successfully run blended campaigns:

• Rochester Institute of Technology’s $1B blended campaign “Transforming RIT”

• California State University San Bernardino’s $200M blended campaign “Our Defining Moment” 

• Three California State Universities (CSUs) are currently in the leadership phase of a blended campaign

Want to learn more or discuss if a blended campaign is right for your institution?

I've successfully pitched this type of campaign to the board, university leadership, and advancement team at an institution, and they've enthusiastically approved it. Now, we’re building a strong foundation for it together in the leadership phase.

Get in touch with me!

Jen Stirling
Principal Consultant, Brighter Philanthropy

Fundraising consulting for higher ed and K-12

As your partner, I’ll bring my considerable expertise, high-energy efficiency, optimistic realism, relational approach, and fresh perspective to guide your team and help your institution reach its goals, enabling more students to thrive. I offer support for campaign services, development organization assessments, staff coaching and board development.