Summary of FY 10 Achievements against Goals and Objectives for FY 09
Infrastructure and Operations
1. Acquired and launched development software for donor and prospect management and
interface.
2. Recruited four new members for the Board of Directors
3. Built relationships with fundraising staff of affiliated hospitals with which we overlap, eg.
Children’s Hospital Foundation, Magee Women’s Hospital Foundation
Fundraising
1. Raised $1.4 million in support of the Departments of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology.
Individual Major Gifts
1. Established cooperative, responsive working relationships with physicians, researchers
and staff to encourage prospect identification
2. Strengthened role of Board members in identifying, cultivating and soliciting gifts from
individuals
3. Reconnected with past supporters
4. Completed an average of 8 visits per month since starting in December
5. Defined and plan for action related to the Center for Ocular Regeneration and Vision
Restoration in collaboration with MHSF
6. Developed appropriate donor recognition plan for major donors
Corporate and Foundation
1. Maintaining existing corporate and foundation relationships, seek funding where
appropriate
2. Identified new prospects in local foundations and submitted two proposals for support
3. Building relationships with trust officers at local banks and financial institutions
Annual Giving
1. Secured annual gift from each Board Member for 100% participation in annual giving
2. Established new direct mail protocols in alignment with MHSF policies
3. Developed distinct, targeted appeals for acquisition and renewal
4. Developed appropriate donor recognition for annual donors of $100 or more
Planned Giving
1. Identified appropriate existing donors as planned giving prospects
Alumni Relations
1. Included alumni in distribution of EFF newsletter
2. In cooperation with MHSF, increased targeted appeals to alumni around designated
giving opportunities
Outreach and Communications
1. Redesigned Website and changed host to allow for use of CMS application
2. Creating series of one-page materials for use with prospects and donors
Events
1. Successfully hosted three annual events, Muse Prize Dinner, Scientific Advisory
Committee Dinner, and Soffer Memorial Lecture
2. Planned and managed donor recognition and donor cultivation events on as needed basi
Goals and Objectives for FY 11
Introduction
Eye & Ear Foundation (EEF) has as its principal mission the raising of philanthropic support and
awareness for the Departments of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology at the University of
Pittsburgh/University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. This tradition of community support dates
back to 1895 with the founding of Pittsburgh’s original Eye & Ear Hospital. The Foundation is a
501(c) (3) non-profit public charity classified as a Type III Supporting Organization under IRS
code 509 (a) (3).
In 1997, the Foundation signed a strategic agreement with the University of Pittsburgh and the
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to use their combined experience, expertise and
resources to support the academic and research missions of the University, the University’s
Departments of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology and the University of Pittsburgh Medical
Center (UPMC) and to enhance the quality of patient care through advances gained by supported
research.
In 2008, the Foundation and the Medical Health Sciences Foundation of University of Pittsburgh
and UPMC further cemented this agreement with the execution of a memorandum of
understanding.
The Foundation is in a unique position for an organization with such a long and rich history in the
community. Despite its more than 110 years of service, Eye & Ear Foundation has an immature
fundraising program. Active fundraising began in 2000 and the work done over the past seven
years has been inconsistent at best.
In December of 2009, the Foundation hired a new Executive Director with a long standing and
successful history workings as a Director of Development in the Medical and Health Sciences
Foundation.
The Foundation has many strengths to build upon—the excellent work being done in research
and patient care, its strong tradition of service to the Pittsburgh community, Chairmen in both
departments who are committed to active participation in the fundraising process and a large
number of grateful patients and existing donors to tap for future gifts.
But in order to reach its full fundraising potential, the Foundation Board and staff must be willing
to invest the time and resources needed to build its internal infrastructure. This investment will
pay off for the Eye & Ear Foundation with both short- and long-term improvements in fundraising.
This approach will require the patience and commitment of Board, staff and physicians but will
ensure the Foundation is well-positioned for the future. There is often an expectation when new
development staff is hired for immediate improvements in fundraising; however, important work
needs to be done first to build the infrastructure of the Foundation before new fundraising
programs are initiated.
Goals and Objectives for FY 11
Infrastructure and Operations
4. Evaluate and realign if appropriate job descriptions for staff and board
5. Recruit six new members for the Board of Directors
6. Complete documentation of policies and procedures for EFF operations and fundraising
7. Continue to Integrate Eye and Ear Foundation (EEF) fundraising into the Medical and
Health Sciences Foundation (MHSF)
a. Continue to seek out opportunities for cooperation in areas of wealth/prospect
screening and direct mail
b. Continue with current process for discussing major gifts prospects
c. Continue to build relationship with planned giving
d. Incorporate and adapt faculty/physician training program developed by MHSF
8. Build relationships with fundraising staff of affiliated hospitals with which we overlap, eg.
Children’s Hospital Foundation, Magee Women’s Hospital Foundation
Fundraising
2. Raise $3 million though activity outlined below in support of the Departments of
Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology.
Individual Major Gifts
7. Establish cooperative, responsive working relationships with physicians, researchers and
staff to encourage prospect identification
a. Complete introductory meetings with faculty and staff groups identified by the
Department Chairs
b. Help physicians identify a minimum of three prospects, with a goal of creating a
pool of 100 prospects
8. Strengthen role of Board members in identifying, cultivating and soliciting gifts from
individuals
a. Help Board members identify a minimum of three prospects with a goal of
creating a pool of 20 prospects
b. Support Board members as they collectively complete ten cultivation or
solicitation visits
9. Establish fundraising plan with prospect list for major initiatives in both departments
a. Continue to silicate major gifts for Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration
1. Solicit to secure three major gifts
2. Hire event/fundraising professional for walk-a-thon event
b. Continue outreach and appeals to alumni
1. Identify five alumni for gifts of $5,000 or more
2. Continue to work with DOD from School of Medicine on strategies to
connect with alumni
c. Continue specialized events and appeals for major initiatives in both departments
1. Find host for event for Macular Degeneration and Glaucoma
awareness
2. Find host for event for Auditory Sciences and Tinnitus event
10. Reconnect with past supporters, focusing on donors with cumulative giving of $10,000 or
more and donors who made one-time gifts of $1,000 or more in FY 09 and FY 08
11. Complete an average of 8 visits per month for 10 months of the year with prospects and
donors identified above (1-4)
12. Develop appropriate donor recognition plan for major donors
Corporate and Foundation
4. Maintain existing corporate and foundation relationships, seek funding where appropriate
5. Identify new prospects in local foundation community and submit two proposals for ‘new’
support
6. Build relationships with trust officers at local banks and financial institutions
7. Develop appropriate donor recognition plan for corporations and foundations
Annual Giving
5. Continue to secure annual gift from each Board Member for 100% participation in annual
giving and secure gifts over $50,000 for 3 board members by December 2010
6. Continue currently established direct mail protocols in alignment with MHSF policies
7. Develop distinct, targeted appeals for acquisition and renewal for the fall 2010 appeal
8. Research best practices among peer organizations, particularly in relation to HIPAA
9. Continue to improve appropriate donor recognition for annual donors of $100 or more
Planned Giving
2. Develop appropriate recognition plan for planned giving donors
3. Identify appropriate existing donors as planned giving prospects
4. Complete 10 visits
Alumni Relations
3. Include alumni in distribution of EFF newsletter
4. Plan for alumni feature in newsletter and on Website
5. In cooperation with MHSF, increase targeted appeals to alumni around designated giving
opportunities, eg. Keverline Award, Biglan Campaign, etc.
6. Achieve 5 percent increase in response rate to alumni appeals
Outreach and Communications
3. Redesign Website and change host to allow for use of CMS application
a. Simplify messaging
b. Offer online giving
c. Update content at least three times annually
4. Create newsletter for print and electronic distribution three times annually
5. Create series of one-page materials for use with prospects and donors
a. Complete three per quarter (topics suggested)
i. Foundation, Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology
ii. Head and Neck Cancer, Balance Center, Biglan Campaign
iii. Center for Ocular Regeneration and Vision Restoration, Tinnitus,
Glaucoma
iv. Voice Center, Guerilla Eye Service, Microsurgery Lab
Events
3. Successfully host four annual events, Muse Prize Dinner and Scientific Advisory
Committee Dinner, Soffer Lecture, Lecture for Auditory Sciences
4. Plan and manage donor recognition and donor cultivation events on as needed basis
Long Term Goals
FY 11 through FY13
1. Increase fundraising to $5 million in annual support from all sources
2. Refine EFF communications and create unique touchpoints with prospects and donors
a. Create passive marketing materials for placement in UPMC Eye Center and
University Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic waiting areas
b. Develop giving circles or societies to encourage increased giving
3. Collect reliable data and create a reporting system for tracking and projecting fundraising
achievement
4. Strengthen relationships with Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology faculty, physicians,
researchers and staff
5. Establish a culture of philanthropy within the EEF board, faculty, and the two departments