"Instead of programming for a mythical 'average alumnus' who is interested in most of the institution's engagement opportunities, alumni professionals are focusing more narrowly on two groups: the tiny fraction of alumni who are already loyal members, donors and volunteers, and the larger, more fickle group of alumni who are willing to engage with alma mater, but only if they see opportunities that speak to their personal and professional needs."
Andy Shaindlin
Chair, CASE Commission on Alumni Relations
Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations and Annual Giving,
Carnegie Mellon University
From "Are Your Alumni Being Served?", Alumni Futures blog, Oct. 26, 2010
"Schools that recognize the importance of young alumni as budding philanthropists are smartly taking a long-term view. Our research shows that young alumni giving patterns demonstrate that they are more like stars than slackers in their giving behavior."
Mood of Alumni 2010, Engagement Strategies Group, July 2010
Rachel Dyson, chair of the International CASE Alumni Relations Survey analysis group, says she found it reassuring that the ICARS data demonstrate that it "takes time to develop a successful alumni relations program, and that given time and investment, it is possible to create a 'successful' program that delivers tangible results for your institution."
"CASE Survey Reveals Most Successful Alumni Relations Services, Activities," BriefCASE, June 2011
Alumni who spend more time reading their institution's magazine are more likely to say they donate to their alma mater. Among those who spend 30–59 minutes with an issue, 34 percent said they donated as a result. In contrast, among those spending 60 minutes or more with the magazine each issue, 41 percent said that they made a donation."
CASE Member Magazine Readership Survey, February 2011
"Gone are the days when alumni associations spent most of their time and resources on social activities such as homecoming and reunions. We are now responsible for advancing our institutions through fundraising, recruitment and research; enhancing student life; and helping students and alumni find jobs. We are now strategists, and the goals we set must have measurable results that clearly benefit the institution."
Jason Coolman, "The Science Behind Alumni Engagement: The University of Waterloo is crunching its alumni data," CURRENTS, April 2011
Nearly 90 percent of alumni magazine readers agreed or strongly agreed that campus magazines strengthen their personal connection to their institutions.
CASE Member Magazine Readership Survey, February 2011
A significant percentage of community colleges—45 percent—do not dedicate resources for alumni relations.
Community College Foundations: An Analysis of a Survey Conducted by CASE, CASE White Paper, October 2010
8 out of 10 alumni under 35 cite already having paid enough for tuition as a barrier to giving to their undergraduate alma mater. Furthermore, half of the young alumni surveyed say they believe their school doesn't really need the money.
Mood of Alumni 2010, Engagement Strategies Group, July 2010
Nearly all (92 percent) independent schools use online communities currently, and 9 percent plan to replace their existing system in the next two years. An additional 6 percent of institutions plan to implement their first online alumni community in the next two years.
Use of Technology for Development and Alumni Relations Among CASE Members, SunGard Higher Education/CASE White Paper, July 2010
