Niagara University To bolster Niagara University’s $125 million campaign, Orr Group built an integrated and decentralized planned giving program that led to a 200% growth in realized legacy gifts and a 570% increase in new legacy gift commitments, securing $12.2 million in planned gifts.
“ Orr Group helped us see the bigger picture and adopt best practices, challenging us to integrate those insights into Niagara’s long-term strategy. That has had a lasting and significant impact.” “Orr Group helped us see the bigger picture and adopt best practices, challenging us to integrate those insights into Niagara’s long-term strategy. That has had a lasting and significant impact.” Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., President, Niagara University
Situation For more than 150 years, Niagara University has educated students in the Catholic and Vincentian tradition, emphasizing ethics, lifelong learning, and service to others. With a student body of over 3,000 undergraduates in 80 academic disciplines, Niagara University prepares its graduates for lives and careers that are both successful and fulfilling. Having executed a highly successful campaign in 2012 that raised $80 million, Niagara approached Orr Group to help it prepare for its next campaign. With the proposed goal of $125 million, this campaign would be the largest fundraising effort ever pursued by the university, and its success would depend on securing very significant leadership gifts while systematically and strategically expanding and engaging the major gift prospect pool.
Solution Orr Group first conducted a four-month study to determine the feasibility of raising $125 million and the university’s readiness to launch a campaign. We developed a draft case for support, which was tested with key donors and alumni to gauge interest in the campaign and cultivate them as potential donors. Simultaneously, we assessed Niagara’s fundraising capabilities and the capacity of the advancement team. From the initial study and based upon our recommendations, Orr Group partnered with Niagara to implement these recommendations, serving as the university’s campaign team and filling the roles of Campaign Director, Director of Major Gifts, and Director of Planned Giving. In these roles, Orr Group worked alongside the Advancement team to guide the direction of the campaign and implement sophisticated major and planned giving strategies and processes to ensure a successful fundraising effort. Additionally, to bolster Niagara’s $125 million campaign, Niagara sought to strengthen and systematize its planned giving program. Orr Group partnered with Niagara to reevaluate motivators for planned giving, analyze and segment the university’s loyal donor base, update planned gift entry and tracking systems, and develop sophisticated planned giving donor strategies to secure new commitments. The outcome was an integrated and decentralized planned giving function, ensuring all gift officers had working knowledge of planned giving strategies to employ in their donor engagement.
Impact The partnership between Niagara University and Orr Group yielded significant results, notably a 200% growth in realized legacy gifts and a 570% increase in new legacy gift commitments, reaching $12.2 million by 2021. The campaign also strengthened Niagara’s fundraising infrastructure by creating a more robust and systematized planned giving program. Orr Group’s strategic roles in directing the campaign and enhancing major and planned giving strategies led to effective donor engagement and cultivation, ensuring long-term financial stability and growth for the university. This collaborative effort not only met the ambitious $125 million campaign goal but also set a solid foundation for future fundraising endeavors.