Welcome to Development and Alumni
Maintaining connections with our alumni, students, industry partners and many friends is an important role, affirming that University degrees are not just an education, but also the foundation of a partnership that continues for life.
At Griffith University, the Development and Alumni Office (D&A) is responsible for providing a coordinated and professional approach to developing and implementing Griffith University’s alumni engagement and fundraising initiatives.
The University recognises the connections forged with our students and graduates, through many years of working together. It is important for this to continue, through ongoing communication and interaction between students, graduates and the university community.
Based within the portfolio of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement), D&A plays an integral role in achieving Griffith University’s vision to be one of the most influential universities in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Director's Blog: Looking Forward, Giving Back
by Mrs Gillian French, Director of Development and Alumni
July 2016: Hello and welcome to the first of what will be a regular blog from Griffith University’s Development & Alumni Office, better known as D&A.
Here on the D&A website, I will bring you news, events and other information arising from D&A’s activities, which play such an important role across all aspects of the University.
I also hope to nurture a greater understanding of what D&A does, how we do it, and why.
By demonstrating the importance, benefits and meaning of D&A’s mission, and celebrating the University’s achievements along the way, I also hope to dispel the concerns and myths that often surround fundraising and philanthropy.
Lorna Somers visit
For example, invaluable insight was taken from the recent visit by Ms Lorna Somers, internationally regarded fundraising director and vice-president of McMaster University Foundation in Canada.
Hosted by D&A and welcomed by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement) Professor Martin Betts, Ms Somers conducted sessions with members of the Griffith Executive, then an audience combining D&A and academics drawn from all parts of the University, and finally with D&A itself.
Ms Somers superbly conveyed the importance of developing a culture of philanthropy at all levels in the University, then applying that culture to strategic fundraising and engagement.
When people ponder donating to a cause, thoughts naturally turn to the major charities – the Cancer Council, RSPCA, Salvation Army. However, increasingly donors are recognising the value of universities in meeting their philanthropic goals.
Donor support
At Griffith, donor support is truly inspiring and has more than doubled in recent years.
Such generosity is enabling Griffith’s world-leading research in areas as diverse as health and medicine; the understanding of human evolution; international business and political relations; climate change, water futures and sustainability; engineering, IT and 3D printing.
Some donors give to the University via a bequest. Some establish a scholarship or foundation in memory of a loved one. Others give through our Annual Appeal.
Many Griffith staff members are also donors. Please visit our Staff Giving page to see how easy it is to help students in need, and how little is required to have a big impact.
There are so many reasons and so many ways to give. At D&A, we help connect donors to the causes they are passionate about.
I will explore these in greater detail as the months progress, but will close today’s introductory blog with a simple message:
In whatever form they take, all donations make a difference. All have the power to change lives. Each one is an investment in a better future.
Also, please enjoy the latest blog post from Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement) Professor Martin Betts.
Thank you and I look forward to writing to you again soon.
Gillian
For more information about providing a tax deductible gift to Griffith, visit griffith.edu.au/development-alumni, email giving-to-griffith@edu.au or call one of our Development Managers for a confidential conversation on +61 7 5552 7218 during business hours.
