September 14, 2017 Mark R. McLellan, Chair Vice President for Research & Dean of the School of Graduate Studies Utah State University 1450 Old Main Hill Logan, Utah 84322-1450 Dear Dr. McLellan, I would like to express my interest in the Vice President for Advancement position at Utah State University. As a lifelong student and a teacher, I am passionate about working with development, alumni, and marketing teams to implement effective practices and strategies to achieve annual and longterm success. I believe I have the skills and values necessary to lead Utah State University s advancement effort. Not only have I consistently achieved and surpassed annual goals, I have also improved ROI, the number of gifts, and new donor acquisitions through the use of data to allocate resources and set strategic direction. Furthermore, I have served in leadership roles of all stages of capital campaigns, including Kansas State University s successful $1 Billion Innovation and Inspiration Campaign, which we surpassed a year early and increased our goal to $1.4 billion. I have also developed a corporate and foundation relations program, a grateful patient program, and worked collaboratively with academic partners to create and implement funding feasibility processes for projects and programs. In my leadership roles, I have enjoyed helping major gift officers and our academic partners increase their fundraising capabilities and coaching them how to work with donors to maximize giving and create gratifying gift experiences. I have developed and implemented onboarding and training programs as well as facilitated strategic retreats that have addressed topics ranging from leveraging academic leaders in the development process, to employee engagement. I am a believer in a player/coach role and I enjoy working with fundraising and academic leaders to set strategies, implement plans, and achieve goals. Throughout my career I have successfully cultivated, solicited, and obtained numerous 7 figure gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations. I have worked with boards and committees by facilitating their strategic plans, setting annual and campaign goals, and creating volunteer engagement opportunities. I have helped development officers and their deans optimize how they use their dean s council, advisory boards, and campaign committees by helping them to engage their alumni and volunteers in fundraising efforts. Not only do I have over 15 years of development experience, I am also completing my Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration with a minor in Public Policy, specializing in nonprofit management (expected graduation date May 2018). My research and expertise is on improving effective practices for governing boards and the factors that impact policy changes. As a lifelong teacher, I am also an adjunct professor for the Staley School of Leadership Studies and co-taught the Senior Nonprofit Internship course.
I believe in the importance of community involvement, volunteerism, and continued professional development. Throughout my career I have chaired the Development and Alumni Council for all accredited Schools of Public Health, served in leadership positions on numerous boards, given presentations to local and national organizations, and attended conferences to keep up with industry trends and learn from peers in my sector. I have also worked extensively with local organizations on their development and campaign efforts, including helping the Archdioceses of St. Louis develop and present planned giving seminars. I believe my values, experiences, and education will help me excel in the Vice President of Advancement position at Utah State University. I have attached my CV to provide you a more complete synopsis of my work and other experiences. I look forward to discussing this position with you and the opportunity to help you achieve your vision. Please let me know if you have any questions or need any additional information. Warmest regards, Matt White
Matthew T. White 3547 Everett Dr. Manhattan, KS 66503 314-614-4179 whitematthewt@gmail.com SUMMARY Experience in all aspects of fundraising including: major gifts, capital campaigns, budgets, endowments, marketing, planned giving, corporations and foundations, grateful patients, advocacy, principal gifts, and annual giving Extensive leadership, team building, and fundraising coaching experience Ability to raise money and implement fundraising strategies Strong verbal and written communications skills Ability to prioritize, multitask, delegate, and get results Experience with public relations and marketing in diverse settings Ability to control a budget and manage endowments WORK HISTORY Kansas State University Foundation (Associate Vice President of Constituent Development) 2015 Present Supervise the development team assigned to KSU s Colleges and Schools of Agriculture, Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, Architecture Planning and Design, Engineering, Human Ecology, and Veterinary Medicine along with University-wide initiatives and the Salina and Olathe Campuses. (7 senior directors/unit leads, 1 director unit lead, 15 directors/officers, 1 collegiate manager and 11 development coordinators) Developed and set goals for teams and individuals that led to surpassing our annual fundraising goals of $140 million in FY16 and $150 million in FY17 Implemented new performance metrics to evaluate fundraiser and coordinator performance Developed and implemented onboarding, training, and coaching programs for development officers to ensure their immediate and long-term success Work with IT and prospect management to build dashboards to track progress to goal, performance metrics, and portfolio health Partner with prospect management to ensure pipeline development, portfolio health, and new donor acquisition strategies Implemented a strategic travel plan for each unit Manage an annual budget of $4.5+ million (8 college budgets and AVP budget) Negotiate with the deans annually on our Sole Source Contract (funding model for Collegiate Development) Cultivate and continue to secure 6 and 7 figure gifts Developed and continue to produce college-specific partnership reports to show our academic partners the return on their investment Work with deans and unit leaders on their college s development plans and setting the strategy for achieving results
Meet quarterly with each dean and their unit lead to track results, discuss priorities and their feasibility, and ensure development plans are successful Serve on the Principal Gift Leadership Workgroup (SR. VP, Athletics, AVP University Wide, AVP Collegiate, AVP Principal Giving Program, and CEO of Alumni Association) Developed and implemented feasibility processes to ensure success on fundraising goals for all capital projects and program initiatives Assigned as principal lead or manager to 40+ of K-State s top prospects Directly involved with capital campaign initiatives and $1 Billion goal including serving leadership team for setting and implementing campaign strategy, the public launch, and leveraging campaign events Served on the campaign leadership team to strategize and implement campaign extension to increase goal to $1.4 Billion Continue to serve on campaign leadership team to ensure results, set and implement plans to achieve collegiate and overarching funding priorities, and maximize campaign volunteer engagement with both the Campaign Steering Committee and the College Campaign Volunteer Committees Prepared and presented information at quarterly Board of Director s meetings, Dean s meetings, campaign committee meetings, and Dean s Council meetings Planned and facilitated the development sessions for the KSUF Board of Director s strategic planning meeting Plan and facilitate foundation team retreats, collegiate and university wide development retreats, and annual dean s and department chair development retreats Work with the KSU President, Provost, Chief of Staff, VP of Research, and Deans to implement strategy and achieve goals Serve on gift acceptance and naming policy committees Served on the Vice President for Research search committee Adjunct Professor in the Staley School of Leadership Studies Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital: St. Louis, MO (Vice President and Chief Development Officer) 2013-2015 Supervised a hospital development, marketing, and public relations team Reported to the CEO and was a member of the executive team Developed and controlled the $1,350,000+ annual budget for the development and marketing office Set the annual strategy and goals for the development and marketing team Cultivated and secured major gifts for the capital campaign and program support Increased the net total raised for the annual gala by 77% through increased sponsorships, attendance and auction strategy Wrote and implemented a comprehensive development and stewardship plan to increase both donor retention and new giving Improved the ROI for solicitation pieces to constituents Restructured the corporate and foundations department and set the strategies to increase grant funding Doubled the number of proposals written for funding needs Produced a plan to implement planned giving
Developed newsletters, advertisements, annual reports, and media plans Implemented the branding initiative Prepared and implemented strategic plans, campaign strategies, and marketing plans Restructured the development and marketing departments to meet constituent needs Managed a $225,000+ marketing budget for TV, radio, online banners, and print Negotiated advertisements for TV, radio, online banners, and print Developed and implemented a social media plan increasing Facebook followers by 113%, Twitter followers by 35%, active emails by 50%, and website traffic by 56% with a 44% increase in new visits Prepared and delivered presentations for the board of directors, committees, constituent groups, and staff Recruited volunteers, committee members, and board members Saint Louis University: St. Louis, MO (Various Roles) 2007-2013 (Executive Director of Medical Center Development) 2010-2013 (Director of Medical Center Corporate and Foundation Advancement) 2008-2011 (Director of Development and Alumni Affairs for the School of Public Health) 2007-2011 Supervised an academic medical center development team with a national focus composed of 13 directors assigned to the Schools and Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, Allied Health, Health Ethics, and Social Work along with Saint Louis University Hospital, Cancer Center, and Doisy Research Center Reported to the vice president of advancement and associate vice president of advancement and a member of the senior leadership team Developed and controlled the annual budget for the health science development office Developed strategic plans, the grateful patient program, development plans, and various other programs and initiatives Successfully cultivated, solicited and obtained 6 and 7 figure major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations Implemented a data driven and donor centered approach that improved ROI and increased dollars raised Improved fundraising totals for Health Science Campus by 93% Increased dollars raised for the School of Medicine by 118% Increased reunion giving dollars for the School of Medicine by 124% Developed and implemented the corporate and foundations program for the Health Sciences Campus. Annually wrote over 56 proposals with a 61% funding rate. Secured several 6 and 7 figure gifts Managed a portfolio with major gift donors from across the country, secured multiple seven-figure gifts. Managed the grateful patient program and secured gifts as high as $2,000,000 Secured and negotiated naming opportunities Completed fundraising campaigns for buildings and other projects Prepared and conducted presentations for professional staff training, conferences, service organizations, corporations, donors, and foundations
Friends of Kids with Cancer: St. Louis, MO (Director of Development) 2005-2007 Managed the development office and set the annual strategy Reported to the executive director and attended all board meetings Exceeded fundraising goals on an annual basis Successfully wrote grants, proposals, and case statements Secured a donation of new office space to meet the organization s needs Secured major gifts for event sponsors and program support Managed fundraising events that included the annual fashion show, golf tournament, and 5K run Facilitated, wrote, and presented a 5-year strategic plan that was approved by the board Recruited volunteers and board members Implemented training programs for employees, volunteers, and Board of Directors Managed the website Saint Louis University: St. Louis, MO (TRIO Program & McNair Scholars Program) 2004-2005 Reviewed grants for ongoing funding needs Produced the monthly newsletter for the program Supported all program activities and scholar events Client Focused Media: Jacksonville, FL (Consultant) 2004-2005 Developed company policies, employee review plans, and employee contracts Wrote the employee handbook Vatterott College: St. Ann, MO (High School Relations Coordinator) 2002-2004 Established partnerships and articulation agreements with administrators and corporations Presented program information to schools, corporations, and community organizations Developed the high school relations program for the St. Ann campus Implemented and carried out the recruitment plan for future students EDUCATION Saint Louis University St. Louis, Missouri: Projected Graduation Date 2018 Pursuing Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration & Public Policy Saint Louis University St. Louis, Missouri Master of Arts specializing in Higher Education Administration: 2004 University of Evansville Evansville, Indiana: 2000 Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Secondary Education Primary area of study: Biology
ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES Adjunct Professor - School of Leadership Studies LEED 499 Nonprofit Organization Internship Seminar: 2016 - Present Snyder Leadership Legacy Fellows Mentor: 2016 - Present Knights of Columbus: 2017 Present Leadership St. Louis (FOCUS): LSL Class #39: 2014 2015 Assumption Catholic Church Capital Campaign Committee: 2012 2015 Assumption Catholic Church Development Committee: 2011 2015 Assumption Catholic Church Planned Giving Committee: 2011 2015 Friends of Kids with Cancer Board of Directors Member: 2011 2016 Vice President of the Board and Executive Team Member: 2014-2015 Friends of the Liver Center Board of Directors Member: 2007-2014 Creve Coeur Chamber of Commerce: 2005-2007 Judicial Board, Saint Louis University: 2003-200 PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND CONFERENCES Speak by Design Executive Speaking Coach, Debbie Davis: 2017 Academic Impressions - Advanced Leadership Development in Higher Education: 2016 Will to Give: Planned Giving Seminar by YouthBridge Community Foundation: 2014 Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): Group on Institutional Advancement National Conference: 2012 Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP): Government Relations Committee: 2005-2011; Chair & Board Member 2007-2011; Member 2007-2014 Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH National Organization): Chair of the Development and Alumni Affairs Council for the 42 Nationally Accredited Schools of Public Health: 2009-2011; Member 2007-2011 AFP National Government Relations Committee: 2007-2014 CASE Conference: Corporate and Foundation Advancement: 2009 1010 CASE Conference: Major Gift Officers: 2008 The Grant Institute Grant Workshop: 2008 Mastermind Saint Louis; Vice President of Membership and Recruitment: 2005-2009 PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS Big 12 Development Conference presenter on Advancing in the Development Profession and on Managing an Engaged Development Team : 2016 Archdiocese of St. Louis/Assumption Church Will and Trust Seminar - MC and Facilitator: 2014 HIPPA certified: 2013 CASE Conference session presenter on Preparing Successful Site Visits : 2011 Association of Schools of Public Health session presenter on Major Giving - Cultivating New Prospects for Schools of Public Health : 2010
Association of Schools of Public Health session presenter on External funding strategies finding corporate and foundation support : 2009 Center for Nonprofit Success (CFNPS) conference session presenter on Winning Corporate Partnerships : 2009 Vatterott College Top Performer Award: 2003-2004