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Fundraising and Alumni Relations Working Together!

Fundraising and Alumni Relations Working Together!

In well established independent schools, the alumni association has traditionally played a vital role in maintaining links with former pupils.  Some remain very active and successful in doing so, while some have not!  In today’s world of social media and lifestyles, we are seeing a change where schools value the relationship with alumni much more, while many young people are no longer attracted by membership of an ‘old boys club’………. they want more !

Schools have long relied on generous benefactors and loyalties to sustain or develop facilities; often very obvious in a simple walk around most campuses!  Today we see a much closer and valued involvement from alumni in different ways – not simply fundraising, and the alumni association is much more aligned to the school through the Development Office.

The Head or Principal is often directly involved in alumni relations activity.  It is the way forward and now very normal, despite some alumni association committees feeling so committed to their original objects that they are reluctant to release responsibility to the school Development office.  Many associations have even relinquished annual dues for members to happily allow the school to support its operation.

Schools now appreciate the tremendous potential benefits of a more engaged community and an investment in alumni activities, as part of a fully integrated Development office certainly pays dividends.  However, it must be a working relationship and that is all about people, and a shared loyalty and vision for an institution that is loved by many!

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