Belmont University Demonstrates Exceptional Fundraising Prowess

You'd think that with just over 3,300 students Nashville-based Belmont University was a pretty small player in both the academic and fundraising worlds. Guess again.

Ranked 15th overall among the South's best universities, Belmont is not only one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the United States - it's also a fundraising powerhouse. The school, for example, is currently nearing the end of an ambitious $170 million capital campaign, the largest in its history.

According to Lisa Wilson, Director of Foundation Relations, Belmont's building program includes a new 846-space parking facility, a 5,000-seat event center and 350 residential units. With just over $40 million left to be raised, BIG Online is set to play an integral role in the school's ongoing effort to improve its facilities.

Wilson notes that Belmont dropped its former research database a little over six months ago, "because Big Online was so much more effective - with better search functions and more details."

During this brief period she estimates her school has raised close to $43,500 from foundations to support the capital campaign - with proposals outstanding for over $3.4 million.

"About 90% of what we've received so far came from using BIG Online, with the remainder being proposals already in process. Every proposal I currently prepare is a result of or is enhanced by my research with BIG."

How They Use BIG
In general, Belmont's faculties present their fundraising ideas to the Dean and then approach Wilson's office with their individual requests. She then logs on to BIG to look for funding opportunities based on their program needs and "feeds the faculty ideas" as she uncovers "programming and geographic fits."

As a team, Wilson works with the faculty member or Dean to develop a comprehensive approach to meeting the various needs of each program, such as scholarships, equipment purchases, operating support, or professorships.

"The database is comprehensive. I especially like the program officers and Board Members section. That helps us identify interest fits with individuals who support each foundation." Wilson mentions that she once did a search on the database using the word "Belmont" to locate alumni who also served on foundation Boards.

With foundation and corporate giving priorities changing all the time, Wilson also appreciates the up-to-date nature of BIG. Rather than contacting funders who may have changed their priorities, Wilson can use the database to find out quickly whether Belmont is eligible for funding. "This step refines my search and eliminates several phone calls."

At the beginning of her tenure at Belmont, Wilson took advantage of the system's grant writing tools and resources to help her hone her skills and craft professional looking documents. A 20-year veteran of editing and writing within the publishing and financial industries, this is Wilson's first exposure to development and grant writing and she found the resources available on the website beneficial.

What's Next for Belmont
As far as new funding priorities go, Belmont is currently on the hunt for approximately $3.5 million to support its new journalism program. With its focus on "ethics-based convergence media," the school will train journalists to work in internet, broadcast and traditional media. "Belmont University will provide all aspects of convergence media in one place - a unique and compelling undertaking as this project will be the only curriculum of its kind in the Middle Tennessee area."

Wilson says she's been trying to get some small grants secured for the department before approaching big league funders with larger requests. "We wanted to be able to show support for several areas, such as equipment and operating costs, before we solicited foundations for scholarships and professors in residence."

Another large fundraising project at Belmont involves their new environmental studies program. Wilson says she'll start sending out grant proposals as soon as the final budget is established for the program. She notes that BIG has already been "extremely helpful," turning up 17 donor possibilities, of which she is ready to approach 11.

BIG Picture: With their diverse project needs and large capital programs, Universities are natural candidates for BIG Online.

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