Macaulay Connections

January 2010

Macaulay Honors College was initially funded by a small group of generous investors who endorsed Chancellor Matthew Goldstein’s vision for a center of excellence for undergraduate education within The City University.  Unlike many public colleges that rely on their past alumni classes for supporting gifts, Macaulay has only a few graduating classes and they have only recently embarked on professional careers.  Some exceptionally generous alumni leaders have supported us and we have been encouraged by a number of parents who see Macaulay as an ongoing partner in building the value of their childrens’ education.  Many people have been generous to the College and we are appreciative.

In the last year, we have made significant strides in professionalizing our fundraising and advancement efforts.  Some of our milestones include:

• Continuation of institutional grant getting and renewals, with $684,719 in cash and pledges secured last calendar year
• Installation of our first donor database for professional management of fundraising
• Significant upgrade of our annual giving program (tripling mailed pieces this December)
• Launch of a donor web page including on-line guidance to attract bequests, matching gifts, and other sophisticated giving interests
• Establishment of an e-giving function including credit card processing
• Restructuring of stewardship, recognition and naming for institutional gifts
• Plans for a committee structure to increase access points and activate volunteer leaders
• Launch of our signature donor club, Friends of Macaulay

This last achievement, our donor club, has become an organization quite unique in CUNY because of the range of participants. As we grow and seek different sources of philanthropic dollars, we find that many New York City leaders are responding see us as an important element of building the City’s competitive workforce. They are increasingly aware of the importance – and fragility – of public higher education. Through the concept of Friends of Macaualy we have found a way to invite non-alumni volunteers into our fold with our alumni and other insiders.

Friends of Macaulay is a donor recognition society that celebrates unrestricted gifts of $1,000 each year (with special recognition at the $10,000/year level). Friends of Macaulay isn’t just about thanking generous donors. Our alumni base includes many bright ambitious graduates who need networking opportunities to move ahead in their careers. Through Friends of Macaulay we are building a corps of enthusiastic donor club members who involve themselves in our growth and who advocate for us. We believe that our non-alumni members of Friends of Macaulay see their interest in the College validated through association with bright Macaulay alumni and students.

Please consider becoming more involved with the extraordinary experiment in urban public higher education at Macaulay Honors College. We have a wealth of opportunities to engage you.