University Advancement

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Our Mission: Elevate Missouri State University through philanthropy, engagement and collaboration.

About the Division for University Advancement

Since its inception, the Missouri State Division for University Advancement has been a key driver of growth and success for the university.

The Missouri State University Foundation, established in 1981, has played an instrumental role in securing and managing resources to support the university’s mission. Today, the foundation oversees an endowment of $119 million and manages 1,228 endowed accounts. These provide crucial funding for scholarships, faculty support and program enhancements.

The Missouri State University Alumni Association, founded in 1907, connects more than 180,000 alumni worldwide, fostering lifelong relationships and maintaining a strong sense of Bear and Grizzly pride across generations.

Together, these two entities have built a bedrock of financial stewardship, engagement and philanthropic success that continues to enhance Missouri State’s standing as a leading institution of higher education.

Strategic Plan

This plan is not just a road map. It is a commitment to our shared Destiny, a reflection of our Identity and a pledge to Engage with our community in the pursuit of excellence. As we move forward together, we invite all members of the Missouri State community to join us in shaping a future of which we can all be proud.

As we embark on this ambitious journey, it is clear that achieving the goals we will outline in our pillars — Destiny, Engagement and Identity — requires more than just vision and determination. It requires the necessary resources, both human and financial, to fully realize the potential of University Advancement and its impact on Missouri State University. To truly chart this path forward, we must integrate more staff with specialized skills and secure additional financial investments that will allow us to execute our strategies effectively.

By committing to these resources, we will strengthen our ability to engage, inspire and support the university’s mission and values. Together, with the right support, we will ensure a future where Missouri State continues to thrive, adapt and elevate its role in higher education.

 

THREE PILLARS

 

IDENTITY

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Tell the story of the impact of advancement for Missouri State.

The identity pillar is about staying true to who we are as a united division. It reflects our tradition, values and our impact, which defines our role within the university and community.

As we move forward, we will continue to celebrate and preserve our identity while embracing the evolution necessary to remain effective in our efforts to support Missouri State University.

 

DESTINY

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Plan and elevate the advancement future for Missouri State.

The destiny pillar signifies our commitment to shaping a future where University Advancement, encompassing both the Foundation and Alumni Association, plays a pivotal role in securing the resources and fostering the relationships necessary for the university’s growth and success.

It is about looking ahead with clarity, understanding the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, and  preparing to meet them with innovative strategies, strong partnerships and a relentless pursuit of inclusive excellence.

ENGAGEMENT

Image of Carrington hall with blooming tulips and daffodils in the foreground.
Create and deliver exceptional gift and engagement experiences for Missouri State.

The engagement pillar is at the heart of our relationship with students, donors, alumni, friends, community partners and the broader university community.

It is through meaningful engagement that we foster a sense of belonging, inspire philanthropic giving, pride, celebrate tradition and ensure that every member of our community feels connected to and invested in the future of Missouri State University.
IDENTITY GOALS
  1. Adopt an Advancement mission statement: “Elevate Missouri State University through philanthropy, engagement and collaboration.”
  2. Provide impact reports for key areas of the university that demonstrate University Advancement’s impact by fiscal year.
  3. Educate Missouri State volunteers, students, faculty and staff about the impact and role of University Advancement.
  4. Utilize the new Advancement Center to showcase the impact of Advancement and evoke a sense of pride, legacy, tradition, volunteerism and philanthropy.
  5. Develop and implement a division-wide Advancement staff on-boarding program.
DESTINY GOALS
  1. Collaborate with college and units to support planning efforts for strategic communications, engagement opportunities and fundraising efforts.
  2. Increase, by 200, the number of new endowed funds to include scholarships, as well as faculty and program support.
  3. In preparation for the next comprehensive campaign, secure between $200 million to $250 million in total gifts/gift commitments.
  4. Implement the use of business intelligence and data analytics to enable strategic decisions and define measurable and meaningful goals for University Advancement.
  5. Annually present a University Advancement growth strategy and staffing plan. It will be strategically based on University Advancement priorities, the university’s strategic plan, EAB and other industry benchmarking data, as well as other best-in-class resources.
  6. Collaborate with the university for successful transition and integration to Conference USA by creating communications and engagement opportunities to increase financial support for Missouri State University Athletics.
ENGAGEMENT GOALS
  1. Grow, strengthen and reimagine University Advancement programming to educate and engage every Bear, inclusive of all backgrounds and life stages with focused efforts on future and current students, young alumni and programs that strengthen and foster tradition.
  2. Gather, utilize and report engagement data aligned to the CASE Alumni Engagement Metrics, which are philanthropic, volunteer, experiential and  communication to measure total alumni engagement.
  3. Produce and present an engagement summit for internal and external university stakeholders to encourage and enhance collaboration to elevate the university.
  4. Increase alumni giving rate from 4% to at least 6%. Increase donor retention by an additional 5%.

As we blend the goals of these pillars, we envision a future where our Destiny is realized through a strong sense of Identity and an unwavering commitment to Engagement. By integrating these pillars, we create a dynamic approach to strategic planning — one that ensures University Advancement remains resilient, adaptive and a steadfast partner in the university’s pursuit of excellence. Our Destiny is not an abstract concept, but a concrete path shaped by who we are (Identity) and how we connect with others (Engagement). This integration of goals ensures that our strategic actions are cohesive, forward-thinking and deeply rooted in the values that define University Advancement and Missouri State University.