Scholarships That Stand the Test of Time - The Sequel!
Navigating the complexities of donor intent and scholarship criteria is critical to long-term successful administration of scholarships – and easier said than done. Oregon State University Foundation’s Scholarship Task Force, working with colleagues across the Foundation and University over the course of three years, developed and implemented guidelines for working with donors to inspire scholarship gifts that stand the test of time. The Task Force is shifting the culture of scholarship fundraising from one that was almost entirely focused on honoring donor preferences to one that balances donor intent and university/student needs. This session will illustrate the benefits of consistent guidelines for donor conversations, partnering with campus leaders, and use of specific and strategic language in gift agreements. We will share the challenges we faced along the way and the professional satisfaction gained through this work. This session will enhance what we shared at CASE VIII '23, including new lessons learned and strategies employed. Our goal is to help CASE institutions maximize the impact of scholarship fundraising on student success through integrity and transparency with donors.