LEANING IN:
LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE
Greetings from the Palouse! You are receiving this inaugural edition of our e-newsletter because you play a critical role in advancing WSU’s philanthropic success. As students, faculty, and staff return for fall semester across the state, we welcome you to this new channel of communication—an exclusive information resource designed to keep you up-to-date and in-the-know about WSU Advancement priorities.
In each edition of this quarterly e-newsletter, Momentum, we will offer relevant news, behind-the-scenes stories, and other timely information, as well as tools and insights to help all of us more effectively engage in WSU’s philanthropic efforts.
As I have shared with you before, your commitment of time and engagement is the engine that drives WSU’s philanthropic momentum. In this way, this e-newsletter’s title, Momentum, aligns with the special role each of us—as volunteers, University and academic leaders, and Advancement colleagues—play in helping WSU continue to thrive and prosper, both now and for future generations.
Each edition of Momentum will feature a leadership perspective as well as highlights from the previous quarter’s financial results. For this inaugural edition, we look at selected data points from the FY21 year-end results, which were just recently finalized. You can expect a full annual report in time for the Fall Annual Meeting.
We will also profile volunteer leaders, who will offer their personal insights into the volunteer experience, starting with an interview with the Chair of the WSU Foundation’s Board of Directors, Lisa King. Plus, we will provide news updates from across the WSU system, such as a round-up of recent gifts that may not have yet crossed your radar.
Another regular feature will give you a glimpse into the “story behind the gift”—in other words, the backstory of a successful relationship-building effort that led to a win-win for both the donor and WSU. In this edition, we’ll tell you how a shared passion for Ferdinand’s became the icebreaker that led to a phenomenal gift for the Tri-Cities campus.
In later editions, as the campaign starts to unfold, we will give you leadership updates on campaign strategy and in-depth discussions of campaign themes, to better prepare you to share the campaign story with others. And, as even further preparation, we will offer expert tips and recommendations from development staff about the art of fundraising.
Please enjoy this new channel of communication tailored especially for you. We always welcome your feedback and comments—drop us a note at wsuadvancement.momentum@wsu.edu any time.
Go Cougs!
Mike Connell
Acting Vice President of Advancement &
CEO, WSU Foundation