IRF Update - May 11, 2012

Foundation Leaders Discuss Future of IRF Field at 20th Annual Conference

 More than 160 foundation leaders discussed best practices and the future of institutionally related foundations at the recent CASE IRF conference in Chicago, Ill.

During his opening keynote address, University of Oregon interim president Robert Berdahl talked about how institutionally related foundations can best support their institutions. In a later session, Curt Simic, president emeritus of Indiana University Foundation, Dave Bahlmann, president and chief executive officer of Ball State University Foundation, and Susan Kubik, executive director of Northampton Community College Foundation, discussed changes in the field during the past 20 years and the inception of the CASE IRF annual conference.

Other highlights:

• Zach Smith, assistant vice chancellor of development at the University of California, Riverside, discussed the benefits of developing a robust succession plan for advancement and development organizations. He covered the cost benefit analysis of finding replacement fundraisers, especially high performers, and how to keep top-performers .
• The conference featured a number of sessions for community college foundation professionals, including benchmarking for community colleges, building boards and determining the return on investment for community college alumni relations

Brian Flahaven, director of legislative, foundation and recognition programs for CASE, said the planning committee, led by conference chair Tom Mitchell of the University of Florida Foundation, created a strong conference with engaging, relevant sessions for IRF professionals. He extended his thanks to Mitchell and the rest of the committee. These were:

Tom Mitchell, 2012 chair (University of Florida Foundation)

Clark Cropp (KU Endowment)

Julie Bolton Falgout (University of Louisiana Lafayette Foundation)

Lisa Heise (Great Basin College Foundation)

Curt Simic (Indiana University Foundation)

Save the Date: 21st Annual CASE IRF Conference Set for April 17-19, 2013, in Atlanta

Make plans now to join CASE April 17-19, 2013, for its 21st annual CASE Conference for Institutionally Related Foundations in Atlanta Ga. The conference is designed primarily for executives at foundations affiliated with four-year institutions and community colleges. If you have questions about the conference or topic suggestions, contact Brian Flahaven at flahaven@case.org or 202-478-5617.

CASE Re-Opens FY11 IRF Data Book Survey: Deadline June 1

CASE has temporarily re-opened  the FY11  IRF Data Book survey, a tool that allows institutionally related foundation professionals to access benchmarking data related to the structure, staffing and operations of foundations. The survey deadline is Friday, June 1.

Foundation staff who are registered for the IRF Data Book will be able to:

• Compare their foundation's funding and operations with peers
• Pull comparison data at any time for foundation staff or board meetings
• Choose specific foundations to benchmark against
• Learn about the latest trends in IRF management and operations

So far, 90 foundations have completed the survey. Only foundations that complete the survey will receive access to the benchmarking data. Detailed instructions are available on the IRF Data Book page.

CASE will announce webinars on how to benchmark using the IRF Data Book in the coming weeks. The webinars will only be open to foundation professionals who have completed the FY11 survey.

CASE plans to conduct IRF Data Book surveys at the end of each fiscal year. The FY12 IRF Data Book Survey will open in September 2012.

Contact Brian Flahaven (flahaven@case.org or 202-478-5617) or Heather Harmon (hharmon@case.org or 202-478-5622) with questions.

Upcoming Online Event: PCI Compliance for Education

Is your foundation PCI compliant? Register today for PCI for Education: How to Meet the Standards for Implementation, Compliance and Validation, a CASE webinar taking place from 2 to 3:30 p.m., EST, on Tuesday, June 5. Attendees will learn how to:

• Recognize current risks and threats to security in general, and credit card data in particular
• Understand the background for the credit card industry implemented data security standards
• Determine where their organization fits in the security standard compliance requirements
• Discuss common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid while training to obtain compliance status

Randall Romes, principal in the Information Security Services Group at CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, will lead the webinar. 

June 15 Deadline for CASE Newcomers Conference Scholarship Program

Professionals new to the advancement field are encouraged to apply for a Virginia Carter Smith Scholarship. If selected, IRF newcomers can apply the scholarship toward attendance at the annual CASE IRF conference, which will take place April 17-19, 2013, in Atlanta, Ga.

CASE grants up to 20 scholarships annually to cover registration fees at selected CASE conferences through its Virginia Carter Smith Scholarship Program for Newcomers to Advancement.

Eligibility is open to advancement professionals with three or fewer years of experience who are currently working full-time at CASE member institutions. Scholarships are also available to those who have changed advancement disciplines, such as moving from alumni relations to fundraising, in the past three years.

The program is designed to encourage newcomers with limited resources to attend selected conferences in the areas of alumni relations, advancement services, communications and marketing, fundraising and institutionally related foundations. CASE members are encouraged to refer colleagues to the program.

Selection is competitive and winners will be chosen by a panel of judges. Special consideration is given to applications for persons of diverse backgrounds. Important dates to remember include:

• June 15, 2012-Deadline for completed applications
• Late July-Scholarship results announced
• September 2012-June 2013-Start and end date for applicable conferences

Visit the CASE website for an application and additional information.

Headlines

Plan Would Allow Use of Foundation Funds for CSU Presidents' Pay Raises 
The Sacramento Bee, May 1, 2012
While California State University trustees plan to consider freezing state-funded pay hikes for new presidents until 2014, trustees may allow salary increases to come from foundation accounts. The CSU board has been criticized for giving a $100,000 raise to a recently hired president while state funding has decreased and fees have significantly increased for the CSU system.
Full Article

Colleges Hit Up Graduating Seniors for Donations
The Washington Post, April 30, 2012
It is becoming more and more common for universities to solicit current students for donations.  The goal isn't to necessarily raise a large amount of money from students but to begin them on a path of philanthropy in regards to their alma maters. The article also notes that U.S. News and World Report now includes the number of living alumni who have donated into its annual ranking of top colleges, which encourages some students to give.
Full Article

College Giving Rebounds as Donor Base Shrinks
The Washington Post, April 23, 2012
Revenue per donor is increasing but the numbers of donors giving to higher education is decreasing, according to the recently released Blackbaud Index of Higher Education report. Young alumni appear to be especially difficult to motivate to give and are not donating at the same rate as their parents. The Post reports that universities have worked to expand their donor bases since the economic downturn but that the number of donors fell 1 percent at the median school, according to the report.
Full Article

Good Governance Makes Tax Compliance More Likely, Says IRS Study
The Chronicle of Philanthropy, April 20, 2012
According to a study on charities released by the IRS, charities that practice good governance are more likely to properly comply with IRS tax rules.  Some good governance practices that are mentioned include having a written mission statement, requiring trustees to review the charity's form 990 and comparing compensation practices with other organizations.
Full Article

How can I receive the CASE IRF Update in my inbox?

Contact Brian Flahaven, director of legislative, foundation and recognition programs, at flahaven@case.org.