FAMU seeking more support from recent grads

For years, historically black college and university administrators have struggled with a tough question: What's the best way to raise alumni giving levels?

Jamahl Grace, a FAMU alumnus, said he believes the amount each grad gives depends on his or her experience.

“I feel [many people] don’t give back because they didn’t thoroughly value the experience they gained and the foundation that was built,” Grace said. “They are busy focusing on all the things that have gone wrong that they forget about the positive aspects and won’t take the initiative to better [the] institution.” Grace said he plans to give back to his alma mater. He has started by taking an active role within the local alumni chapter in Washington, D.C.

While Grace believes many students don’t value the experience gained, entertainer Bill Cosby blames HBCU leadership. In 2008 at the “Straight Talk Symposium – Securing the Financial Future of North Carolina HBCUs and Their Communities,” Cosby said HBCU officials should make alumni “feel bad” about not giving back instead of “begging” them.

Marybeth Gasman, a University of Pennsylvania professor who studies HBCUs, disagrees. In a 2008 “Diverse: Issues in Higher Education” issue, Gasman said HBCU administrators have to educate students early and often in their college career the importance of giving back. Gasman said HBCUs need to organize student advancement councils focused on raising money. She said HBCUs have to educate students to understand how a university works, the finances that keep an institution working, and their role in sustaining their alma mater.

HBCUs are not the only institutions that have difficulty getting monetary donations from their young alumni. A blog by Sean Stannard-Stockton, an investment consultant who advises philanthropic groups, recently featured commentary from PrepNY co-founder Sam Huleatt on this issue. Huleatt says that many universities fail to take advantage of modern communication mediums that appeal to recent graduates or tapping into the power of university networks.

“Schools need to find a new medium by which to appeal to their young alumni,” Huleatt wrote. “They must also provide them with the incentives to ‘give’ in a number of different contexts. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this at low cost is by leveraging the social network that already exists among an active alumni base using technology.”

At FAMU, initiatives such as the new Mobile Giving Campaign are attempting to do just that by making it possible for alumni to donate through their cell phones. Activities such as the annual Young Alumni Giving luncheon are also encouraging recent grads to make regular donations to the university’s foundation using the secure online website.

The YAG has also become a major networking opportunity with high-powered alumni such as BOT vice-chairman Daryl Parks, State Rep. Alan Williams, City Commissioner Andrew Gillum, and filmmaker Will Packer having made appearances in recent years. Media mogul Oscar Joyner will headline this year’s event.

President James Ammons, who delivered the YAG luncheon’s keynote address during his first year as the university’s leader, emphasized the need for alumni to step up their support during these tough economic times.

Details on the Mobile Giving Campaign are available here. Tickets for this year’s luncheon can be purchased here.