Our four major gift officers are focused on cultivating major gifts, which the university defines as $50,000 or more paid over up to five years. This type of philanthropy is deeply relationship-driven, emphasizing donor engagement and aligning their giving with their personal goals. Unlike annual giving, which is broader in scope, major gifts are highly personalized and impact-focused. When donors see their contributions making a meaningful difference, they are often inspired to give at even higher levels. Our gift officers work closely with donors to align their legacy plans with their philanthropic goals through wills, trusts, and non-cash assets. Estate giving often provides donors with the opportunity to make their most meaningful and impactful gift.

Our Approach to Philanthropy

At the School of Public Health, we take a relationship-driven approach to philanthropy—one that has proven to be the most effective across the University. Our focus is on building meaningful connections with donors, understanding their philanthropic goals, and aligning their generosity with key priorities that drive impact.

How We Work

Our major gift officers (MGOs) follow a strategic process to engage donors and guide them toward transformative giving opportunities.

1. Identifying Prospective Donors

We identify potential donors through:

• Donor databases that track giving history and engagement.
• Partnerships with the University of Minnesota Foundation’s prospect researchers.
• Referrals from current donors, faculty, and alumni connections.

Once identified, we engage in meaningful conversations to assess their interest, capacity, and readiness to make a major gift within the next five years.

2. Cultivating Meaningful Relationships

Each of our four MGOs manages a portfolio of approximately 100 major gift prospects, meaning we work closely with the school’s top 400 individual and organizational donors. Through personalized outreach and strategic engagement, we build relationships that inspire significant philanthropic commitments.

Additionally, MGOs oversee a discovery pool of 100–150 potential donors, assessing whether they should be added to the portfolio or ruled out as major gift prospects. This is a fluid and ongoing process.

3. Aligning Donor Interests with Funding Priorities

We take the time to understand what donors hope to achieve with their giving. By working closely with school leadership, faculty, and staff, we identify funding opportunities that align with both donor passions and institutional needs. Sometimes, the perfect match already exists, while other times, we collaborate to create new opportunities that advance the school’s mission. This process is highly personalized and ensures that philanthropy drives meaningful, lasting impact.

We are committed to fostering philanthropic partnerships that transform public health—today and for generations to come.

On the flip side, the SPH-driven approach focuses on securing funding for specific faculty-led projects. While this method is less commonly successful, it can be effective when aligned with school priorities and supported by strategic prospecting.

1. Aligning the Project with SPH Priorities

For a project to be considered for fundraising support, it must align with both division priorities and the broader strategic direction of the School of Public Health. As we move through our strategic planning process, these priorities will become clearer, allowing us to be more intentional about where we focus our fundraising efforts across our 130+ faculty members.

2. Vetting the Project & Identifying Prospects

Once a project’s alignment with SPH priorities is confirmed, faculty should schedule a meeting with Kathryn to discuss next steps. In this meeting, we will:

• Identify potential funders – Success depends on matching the right project with the right donor.
• Explore funding sources, including:
  • Existing donor portfolios – Working with Major Gift Officers (MGOs) to find aligned donors.
  • Faculty connections & referrals – Engaging donors with whom faculty already have relationships.
  • Prospect Development & Corporate/Foundation Relations (CFR) – Researching and identifying new funding opportunities.
  • Annual Giving Appeals – Leveraging small-dollar donors who may grow into larger supporters (typically yielding ~$5,000 per effort).

3. Developing a Strong Project Case

To effectively engage potential funders, faculty should prepare a concise, one-page project summary that outlines:

• Objectives
• Intended outcomes
• Timeline
• Clear financial goal

This document serves as a key tool in fundraising efforts, helping to connect funders with impactful projects that align with their philanthropic goals.

Major Gifts Fundraising – Frequently Asked Questions