Presidential and University Philanthropy
Department lead: Magnus Johnsson (M.P.A.’10, Cert.’10), senior associate vice president, Presidential and University Philanthropy
The office of Presidential and University Philanthropy convenes campus partners and advises in the development and execution of $1 M+ prospect strategies with a primary goal to maximize the lifetime engagement and support of VCU's most philanthropically capable families. The office designs and oversees an exemplary, disciplined and coordinated approach to managing the university’s highest-level relationships with focus, creativity and a commitment to excellence. The office honors donor passions, respects their diverse interests, and helps translate those into high-impact investments.
Teams in Presidential and University Philanthropy
- Corporate and Foundation Relations team is divided into two teams: Corporate Relations and Foundation Relations
How Corporate Relations and Foundation Relations work together
Some funders — particularly corporate foundations or large industry-backed philanthropies — span both business and foundation interests. These dual-natured funders often require a joint strategy.
- Joint engagement: Corporate and Foundation Relations teams collaborate to coordinate institutional strategy, relationship management and proposal development for funders that have both philanthropic and business interests (e.g., Dominion Energy Foundation, Genworth, Haleon).
- Shared knowledge: The teams share research, funder intelligence and communication plans to ensure seamless and strategic engagement.
- Unified messaging: Both teams ensure that faculty, deans and advancement partners present a cohesive, aligned message when approaching corporate-affiliated foundations or CSR initiatives.
- Proposal support: For proposals that include both workforce development and academic research, the two teams partner to package and position the ask in ways that reflect both philanthropic value and institutional impact.
Corporate Relations
Team lead: Katie Ferguson, director. Corporate Relations
How does this team fulfill the DAR mission?
Corporate Relations secures private support for university priorities by building and managing strategic relationships with businesses and industry partners. This includes aligning corporate giving, workforce development, research and branding priorities with VCU’s institutional goals. The team fosters mutually beneficial partnerships that drive innovation, enhance student success and advance the university’s reputation.
What does this team do?
- Manages a portfolio of corporate prospects across industries and regions.
- Develops long-term partnerships with companies to support VCU’s goals through philanthropic giving, student engagement, research support and sponsorships.
- Aligns university strengths with corporate social responsibility, marketing, recruitment and innovation priorities.
- Supports internal stakeholders in identifying corporate engagement opportunities across schools, units and various internal departments.
- Coordinates cross-campus strategies to ensure a unified approach to key corporate partners.
- Develops sponsorship opportunities and business development initiatives that generate nongift revenue.
When should you contact this team?
- When you want to engage a company in philanthropy, sponsorship, research or recruitment.
- If you need background information or strategy for approaching a corporate partner.
- If you’re developing a proposal or sponsorship opportunity with a company that has existing relationships with VCU.
- When you need support planning a corporate visit, tour or partnership meeting.
- If your college, school or unit is seeking support from a corporate foundation that has a workforce or CSR component.
Foundation Relations
Team lead: Ariana Bracalente, director, philanthropic grants
How does this team fulfill the DAR mission?
Foundation Relations secures private, philanthropic grant funding for institutional and academic priorities by cultivating relationships with private foundations. The team supports faculty and staff in identifying, developing and submitting compelling proposals aligned with foundation missions.
What does this team do?
- Manages a portfolio of private and family foundations.
- Works closely with faculty, deans and academic leadership to craft proposals for major philanthropic initiatives.
- Researches and identifies foundation prospects for VCU’s institutional and academic priorities.
- Supports proposal writing and coordinates internal review and approvals.
- Provides coaching, training and resources to faculty pursuing major foundation support.
- Advises on whether a grant opportunity is philanthropic or should be routed through Sponsored Programs.
When should you contact this team?
- When you are seeking funding from a private or family foundation.
- If you need assistance with proposal development, writing or submission to a foundation.
- When applying for a foundation grant of $50,000 or more.
- If you’re planning to approach a foundation that is already connected to VCU.
- To determine if a funding opportunity is philanthropic or requires routing through Sponsored Programs.
Team lead: Ann Deppman, J.D., Assistant vice president, Planned Giving
How does this team fulfill the DAR mission?
Planned Giving identifies, cultivates and stewards donors who provide immediate and long-term charitable support via a range of gift options and to provide support to the VCU development community in their pursuit of these gifts.
What does this team do?
- Provides philanthropic advising and 1:1 gift conversation support to DAR partners, donors and stakeholders.
- Conceives and executes a comprehensive multichannel marketing plan to educate and identify prospective donors on ways of giving.
- Identifies high-likelihood planned giving prospects and partners with CSU fundraisers to develop strategies for advancing planned giving conversations.
- Hosts stewardship events for legacy society members and special events to attract and engage new prospects.
- Offers workshops to the DAR community to increase familiarity with planned giving tools and strategies.
- Supports CSU fundraisers with collateral and resources to advance planned giving conversations.
When should you contact this team?
- When a donor expresses interest in making a planned gift.
- To increase your understanding of planned giving options and vehicles, including bequests, beneficiary designations, life income gifts, life insurance, real estate, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, donor-advised funds, appreciated securities and other noncash assets.
- To discuss gift strategies or to obtain gift illustrations to provide to prospects.
- To discuss documentation options when a donor has made a planned gift.
Team lead: Anne Hoffler, executive director, Principal Giving Stewardship
How does this team fulfill the DAR mission?
Principal Giving Stewardship leads a creative and customized stewardship and engagement program for top donors and prospects. The program ensures consistent, high-impact, high-touch, meaningful engagement with stakeholders who are highly invested in VCU’s mission, with the purpose of nurturing these relationships and providing opportunities for greater involvement and additional philanthropy.
What does this team do?
- Create engagement strategy and stewardship plans for top donors and prospects.
- Plan and execute presidential engagement and events with top donors.
- Plan and execute regional donor and prospect events.
- Collaborate on campaign cabinet engagement.
When should you contact this team?
- When there is interest in engaging the president (1:1 or in a larger setting) with donors, prospects and alumni.
- To collaborate on engagement and stewardship planning for top donors and prospects.
- With questions about engagement opportunities such as regional events, the basketball suite and events at the president’s home.
Team lead: Thomas Maness, Associate vice president, development, Transformational Philanthropy
How does this team fulfill the DAR mission?
Transformational Philanthropy seeks to join the resources of truly aspirational people to the visionary projects that will transform VCU to reach its highest purposes in benefiting our students, our patients and our community.
What does this team do?
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This team uses a collaborative approach to engage top campaign prospects with key projects, as identified by the president, focusing on seven- and eight-figure gifts.
When should you contact this team?
- If you have questions about the transformational philanthropy projects: CoStar Center for Arts and Innovation, the School of Population Health, the Pauley Heart Center and VCU Athletic Village.