Saint Francis University
Loretto, PA

Client Challenge:
When Saint Francis University first approached Schultz & Williams, this rural Pennsylvania University had recently completed a 150th Anniversary Campaign that successfully raised $15 million. It had also gained university status and had the longest tenured University President in the commonwealth. Saint Francis wanted to use these achievements as a platform for a much larger capital effort to fund a $60 million Master Site Plan and increased endowment. Saint Francis recognized that this would require greater participation from its geographically scattered alumni.

Schultz & Williams Approach:
Schultz & Williams’ work began with a campaign planning study that surveyed the Saint Francis constituency around the country. The study uncovered a group of successful, capable and interested alumni who were not yet involved at the level necessary to motivate the highest levels of giving.

Coming out of the study, Schultz & Williams recommended a first phase campaign to fund a flagship Science Complex while active steps were taken to engage new alumni leadership donors. Schultz & Williams has continued its work with Saint Francis in implementing the detailed recommendations from the study report.

Results:
When the longtime Saint Francis University president stepped down to take over as Minister Provincial of the University’s founding order, Schultz & Williams worked with the Advancement Team to engage alumni and donors in the transition process and introduce the new President to the Saint Francis University Family. New resources were put into an outreach program, “Inside Saint Francis,” to bring alumni around the country back into contact with the university. Key alumni were engaged more deeply in the university’s business planning process. The campaign tag line and brochure that Schultz & Williams developed reflect Saint Francis’ image as a top tier Catholic university with distinctive Franciscan values – Called to Serve… Fulfilling the Promise.

With new University leadership in place, the campaign for the Science Complex is in its quiet phase. Seven million in gifts and pledges have already been received, as well as $7 million for other capital projects. Schultz & Williams has helped the University organize and launch the campaign – a $30 million effort to build the Science Complex and establish a platform for a more significant major gifts program to support the school’s needs in the years ahead.