22-013-SG - Faculty of Science Capital Campaign - readiness and feasibility

Project Objective
The University of Waterloo, Faculty of Science is in the early stages of considering campaign readiness for a multi-year $30 million fundraising campaign. The University is requesting submissions from fundraising consultants who have provided campaign readiness assessments, campaign readiness counsel, and feasibility assessments.
The outcome is to achieve campaign readiness to embark on an $30M campaign.
The underlying project will be conducted in two immediate phases, and a third execution phase.
Phase 1- Readiness: readiness review and resource audit and donor/prospect pipeline analytics and needs/gap assessment. (Deliverable: Report, including best practice recommendations to achieve campaign readiness)
Phase 2 - Feasibility: Developing a Campaign case for support document, developing campaign leadership and prospect identification, creating a marketing and communications plan, and conducting feasibility interviews. (Deliverable: Feasibility Report based on current best practice).
 
Activities and Deliverables
Over the next three-five months, the successful firm will:

• Conduct a review of current staff, budget, policies, processes and organizational structure;
• Provide an analysis of current donor prospect pool including the potential to grow the donor prospect pool;
• Assess the strength of the University’s reputation profile and relationships for the purpose of major gift fundraising with a specific focus on Science, Physics and Astronomy; 
• Review, assess and make recommendations regarding Advancement resourcing and support requirements;
• Provide day-to-day planning guidance and consultation to the Science Advancement leadership team who will plan and execute this campaign;
• Advise on, guide and implement best practice strategies that will lead to campaign viability and success;
• Review the greater institutional advancement structure and institutional supports and make best practice recommendations;
• Work with the leadership team to assess, confirm and establish priorities and create, timelines and milestones to achieve campaign goals;
• Conduct research and recommend specific donors and volunteers with a specific interest in Science;
• Conduct coaching and training for the leadership team, internal and external volunteers, faculty and staff;
• Develop, a Case for Support and test its feasibility;
• Develop and prepare a campaign marketing and communication plan.

1. A preliminary report assessing and reporting on campaign readiness factors, including early observations, analysis, interpretation and recommendations including, at minimum:
   1. Staffing resources, organization structure, skills and experience in Advancement Team
   2. Strength, commitment and fundraising experience of university administrative and academic leadership
   3. Prospect pipeline analysis
   4. Case for Support, Communications and Marketing plan

2. Specific and detailed recommendations regarding priority action steps needed, to prepare for campaign, including a critical path with recommended timelines for readiness and campaign planning activity.

• Strategic counsel to Advancement leadership team related to campaign readiness assessment and campaign preparation strategies and plans, and strategic counsel related to fundraising priority setting and preparation for case for support development;

• A campaign readiness plan, based on an assessment of the University’s current internal readiness factors, to include:
  • Assessing current staff, budget, policies, processes and organizational structure;
  • Providing a detailed analysis of current donor prospect pool including the potential to grow the donor prospect pool through the use of donor analytics;
  • Familiarity with the University sector in campaign, principal and major gift fundraising;
  • Providing benchmark data from other major large public research universities. The benchmark data might include: successful organizational structures for campaign; budget models; best practices in campaign, identifying staffing requirements, length of campaigns and dollar goals; and,
  • Experience conducting feasibility assessments.