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
Team lead: Ariana Bracalente, senior associate director, foundation relations and principal giving
How does this team fulfill the DAR mission?
The mission of the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations is to secure private support for university priorities by fostering relationships with corporations, foundations and other organizations. Activities include developing strategies for engaging and advancing relationships with foundations and corporations; planning and developing institutional proposals for university priorities; assisting campus partners and faculty in identifying, soliciting and stewarding corporate and foundation funders; training and assisting faculty in proposal development; and coordinating approaches to presidential and leadership corporate and foundation prospects.
What does this team do?
- Manages a portfolio of corporate and foundation prospects.
- Establishes long-term partnerships and strengthens existing relationships with prospects that will result in funding to support the immediate and long-term goals of the university.
- Researches and identifies new sources of support and looks for opportunities to generate proposals based on donor guidelines and interests.
When should you contact this team?
- If you need information about corporations and foundations.
- If you need assistance with proposal development for centrally managed corporations and foundations as well as coordination with other campus partners.
- If you need assistance with planning, prospect cultivation of proposal development for corporations and foundations in which funding requests are $50,000 or more or are with local foundations with which VCU has active relationships.
- If you need assistance in determining whether a grant opportunity is philanthropic or a sponsored project.
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: 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.