DePauw's Major Gifts department recently welcomed two new hires to the department in hopes of fulfilling the fundraising priorities set by President Brian Casey.
Located in the Office of Advancement, Major Gifts focuses on fundraising and works mostly with alumni, sometimes parents and friends of the university. The eight staff members of the department Major Gifts spend the school year traveling in the hopes of gaining funds for DePauw.
Jason Petrovich, class of '93 and Executive Director of Development describes the department's goal as "engaging folks in conversation about the needs of the university and providing funding for it."
The newest additions to the Major Gifts staff are Kristin Champa and Judith Stillwell. Stillwell will be working in development as assistant to donor relations and Major Gifts. Champa will also be working in development as a Major Gifts Officer in the mid-Atlantic part of the country.
Champa graduated from DePauw's School of Music with a major in vocal performance. She is the first School of Music graduate to work on staff. Due to the addition of School of Music Dean Mark McCoy and its continually growing buzz, the Major Gifts staff spent five months searching for a musical school graduate to fill this position.
"My husband and I, after living on Long Island, [New York] for 13 years, decided we were really Midwesterners…we wanted to raise our kids in the Midwest," Champa said.
In New York, Champa worked at Carnegie Hall and was assistant director for the non-profit performance art organization Midori and Friends. Though Champa was not initially sure if this position would be the right fit, after talking with fellow alumni Champa knew she had to look into the position further. As Champa learned more about the progress of the university — particularly that of the School of Music and McCoy's vision — she became increasingly enthusiastic about the prospect.
"I could not get it off my mind," Champa said. "I needed to send my stuff in and see if I could get someone to talk to me. So I did."
The eight staff members each work with approximately 150 potential donors across the country. The department hopes to gain funding from donors that will be committed for the long-term. Conversation between a potential donor and a Major Gifts staff member can last anywhere from eighteen months to years before a donation is given. Ideally, the department is aiming for six and seven figure gifts.
"A major gift is a gift that supports the permanency of the university," Champa said. "It's supporting the future of the university. We're looking to have people endow fellowships for professors, endow music student fellowships, endow academic chairs, endow scholarship and financial aid. Capital projects — that's what Major Gifts funds."
Scholarship funding is the largest aspect of the department. The alumni are particularly generous with this subject — the alumni who once benefited from scholarship funding are now in a position to provide the same opportunity to the current students.
"Every generation supports the one that follows," Petrovich said.
After being away from campus for fifteen years Champa is enthusiastic about being back at DePauw where she feels a palpable excitement from students.
"I've always looked opportunities to be a part of change and I think that's what's going on right here right now. I'm thrilled to not just be a part of the change, but to also be an alumna and be a part of the change," Champa said. "I really believe in President Casey's vision and the direction the university's going so that makes me happy to come to work every day."
Currently, the Major Gifts Department is busy talking to donors in the hopes of fulfilling the fundraising priorities set by Casey.
Petrovich and the staff seem very positive about the state of the current fundraising year.
"Fortunately we have a great alumni body that supports us," Champa said.