Donor Partnerships and Special Projects
The Office of Donor Partnerships and Special Projects focuses on the identification, long-term cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of nonalumni/ae capable of making eight-figure gifts in support of MIT priorities.
During FY2003, the office orchestrated several major stewardship activities for donors. These included the first annual meeting of the Picower Foundation and the Picower Center for Learning and Memory (December 2002), and two groundbreakings for the brain and cognitive sciences project (for the Picower Center in April 2003 and the McGovern Institute in May 2003). More than 300 persons from on and off campus attended the groundbreakings.
The director visited (with faculty and senior officers) a number of new prospects and hosted others on campus during the past year. Members of the faculty and administration have been central to planning and execution of these visits. Close collaboration with faculty and senior volunteers (especially members of the Corporation and Campaign Steering Committee) is a key strategy for building the prospect and donor base, as well as identifying and engaging wealthy nonalumni/ae in the academic programs of the Institute. This will continue to be a strategy for FY2004.