Goal 4: Grow Alumni Association Funding to better assist the University.

The purpose of the UAH Alumni Association is to support the university in achieving its mission by engendering support through programs and services. The association strongly endorses the Power of 10 goals as established by President David Williams and embraces his vision for the future. The association supports the Office of Advancement strategic objectives and maintains a cordial working relationship with the staff. The association desires to increase its financial resources to better assist UAHuntsville.

Founded in 1972 as a separate 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization, the UAH Alumni Association while closely affiliated with the university, is an independent entity authorized by the Federal government to raise funds, receive, and receipt gifts. The association is managed by an elected board of 21 Alumni. Funds are managed by the board. The association’s status provides flexibility and enables the group to provide resources to help defray the costs of projects that are out-of-the-reach of institutional budgets. Currently, the association provides 10, $3,000 scholarships targeted for juniors and seniors as a tool to help in student retention. In addition, the association provides several endowed scholarships. The association pays for the publication of the UAH Alumni News and provides funding or supplemental resources for a wide variety of association and university programs.

Actions:

• Build the Alumni membership program as a service to Alumni and to generate operating funds. Membership provides Alumni access to discounted services both off- and on-campus, and serves as an effective “opt in” mechanism for identifying Alumni who are donor prospects and have the potential for future volunteer involvement.
• Sell advertising sponsorships to help underwrite the cost of programs and activities.
• Expand existing revenue-generating affinity partnerships and identify new opportunities.
• Invest Alumni funds to generate income.
• Price all programs and services so that they generate revenue.
• Grow fund-raising partnerships such as Combined Federal Campaign.
• Identify opportunities to sponsor revenue-generating events.
• Open a serious discussion about funding and building an Alumni house/conference center on campus.
• Recruit outstanding Alumni to serve on the Alumni board of directors, actively seeking representatives from all constituent groups.