FSU Recognized for Alumni Communication

Blackbaud, Inc., the leading provider of software and related services designed specifically for non-profit organizations, has profiled the Fairmont State Foundation, Inc., on its corporate web site to highlight partnership efforts to improve alumni communication and increase private giving to the institution.

"Maintaining up-to-date alumni records is crucial to the success of Alumni Association and Fairmont State Foundation, Inc., annual chapter and fundraising activities," said Crystal Stevens, Director of Alumni Affairs.

"The alumni are the lifeblood of an institution, and it is critical that we maintain ties to them through yearly mailings and phone campaigns. Moves, marriages and career changes sometimes cause us to lose touch with alumni. Without current contact information we are unable to invite alumni to events or keep them abreast of the exciting opportunities on campus. Our partnership with Blackbaud helps us keep our data clean and ensures the best communication efforts."

In an atmosphere of diminishing state and federal resources, Fairmont State depends on private, philanthropic gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations to fulfill its educational mission. Building relationships with alumni and other constituent groups using accurate records is vital to the success of the university's fundraising efforts.

Use of Blackbaud's Data Enrichment Services has resulted in better contact information, ability to regionally segment event mailings, increased cost-benefit ratio on direct mail and increased gift revenue in support of student scholarship.

Blackbaud found new or updated addresses for 50 percent of the lost constituents and phone numbers for more than 5,000 records, enabling Fairmont State to reconnect with the large group of alumni supporters who were previously considered unreachable. Fairmont State improved a 40 percent direct mail return rate to an approximately 5 percent return rate. Additionally, a recent calling campaign for the institution tripled the record of gifts committed.

"We are seeing more faces at our events and hearing more Fairmont success stories because we have found "lost" alumni. It is wonderful to reconnect after many years apart. Alumni are coming home to Fairmont State," Stevens said.

The mission of the Fairmont State Foundation, Inc., is to support, through ethical stewardship, the mission of Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College. The Foundation identifies, establishes and cultivates meaningful relationships with Fairmont State alumni and potential and existing funding constituencies to meet contributor needs while securing funds and supporters for priority objectives identified by the Board of Governors.

To read the Fairmont State Foundation, Inc., profile on the Blackbaud, Inc., corporate web site, visit http://www.blackbaud.com/resources/success_stories.aspx.

If you are an alumni or friend of Fairmont State and you are not receiving publications and event invitations, contact the Fairmont State Foundation, Inc., at (304) 367-4009 or toll free at (866) 372-2586 to update your mailing records.