Claflin University will receive a $1.5 million grant from the United Negro College Fund and the Kresge Foundation to help strengthen the university's institutional advancement activities.

The grant will be awarded by the UNCF Institutional Advancement Program, which is funded by the foundation.

"This UNCF grant is specifically designed to substantially increase giving to the university from alumni and trustees," said the Rev. Whittaker V. Middleton, vice president of institutional advancement at Claflin University. "We will be strengthening our advancement office through the employment of additional staff to concentrate on fund-raising efforts."

While Claflin University seeks to increase alumni giving, nearly 40 percent of Claflin alumni are already contributors to their alma mater. The university hopes to increase alumni giving and support, as well as extend awareness of planned giving options, Middleton said.

With expanded fund-raising capabilities, Claflin University will be able to implement institutional strategic goals in the areas of student development, faculty and staff development, academic program development, technology enhancement and facilities enhancement.

"I congratulate Claflin University President Dr. Henry N. Tisdale and his team for the plan and proposal that won them this grant," said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., UNCF president and CEO. Claflin University is one of only six institutions nationwide to receive the grant.

Traditionally, most Historically Black Colleges and Universities see the fruit of their fund-raising efforts blossom from relationships established with foundations and corporations. Conversely, majority institutions are more likely to see a larger proportion of donations come from alumni contributions.

In developing its plan and proposal, university advancement officials visited 13 institutions to examine best practices in fund-raising efforts that solicit larger alumni participation.

"We plan to utilize those best practices in our own program," Middleton said.

The UNCF program includes both consulting services to assist Claflin in developing approaches to increase donations, and a cash grant to help it implement the new approaches.

According to Middleton, "one of the new approaches will be the establishment of a state-of-the-art call center to engage alumni throughout the year."

"Improving fund-raising capabilities requires an investment in staff development and computer capabilities that would strain the budgets of most small colleges, like those that belong to UNCF, working alone," Lomax said. "But working together through UNCF, and thanks to the Kresge Foundation's investment, Claflin University can afford capacity-building activities that larger and wealthier institutions take for granted."

Copyright © 2008, The Times and Democrat, Orangeburg, SC