Imagine. Invest. Inspire: OTC’s story of best practices in fundraising and grants development

Once upon a time…

• OTC was approved by the voters in 1990• College opened in 1991 with 1,198 students• Now serve more than 15,000 students in five

locations • Third largest community college in the state• Recently named one of the fastest growing

community colleges in the nation by Community College Week

The OTC Foundation

• OTC Foundation established 1996• Since 2007, the Foundation as seen a 700%

increase • Scholarships, Student Support Programs,

Center for Health Education and Center for Workforce Development

• Fast forward to 2012

Grants Development at OTC

• Began without a focus on attaining grants• 2000-2004: First full-time director of grants• 2006: Began a faculty-led grants office that

continues today• 2008: Economic downturn; Obama elected• FY 2012: Over $6 million in grant awards• Strategic Plan: Annual goal of $2M in grants

Staff

• Two full-time staff members in the Foundation• One full-time assistant• One part-time director of grants• Executive Director/Vice Chancellor

Collaboration is Key

Keep Your Story Simple –Be a storyteller–Use more than facts and figures, but answer

the questions directly.

Collaboration is Key

Let Others Tell Your Story– Let the experts “sell” your program– Leadership Reception– Educating the public about your mission–Avenues to tell your story – Speaker Circuit

Interpersonal Relationships are Crucial

• Using events to make friends and not just money

• Networking and positive relationships with outside organizations

• Everyone deserves good customer service – external and internal

• You should never have to make a cold call ask

Seven ways to say thank you

1. Thank you from your organization – make it personal2. Thank you the person/people who benefited from

the gift3. Call the donor and thank him/her. This can be a good

time to update him/her on the project4. Recognition in Annual Report5. Naming Opportunities6. Recognition on social media, videos7. Donor Reception

The Results

• Set a goal of $10 million, raised $14.4 million• Grant awards have grown from around $1

million annually to over $6 million in FY 2012.

Your Strategies

Collaboration: Briefly tell one story about how your organization has helped your community. (Remember, make it personal.) Who are two contacts you could share this story with?

Your Strategies

Interpersonal: Identify two organizations who might be willing to partner with you on a grant or fundraising opportunity.

Your Strategies

Thank You’s: Identify one unique way in which you can express your thanks to your donors.

Contact

Tracy McGrady – mcgradyt@otc.eduStephanie Brown – browns@otc.edu

www.otc.edu