Projects that get you working

D-SIP interns have completed more than 110 major projects across the University since 2007. Browse the categories at right to explore the variety of rewarding and inspiring work that you could be doing as a member of D-SIP’s next generation.

Unit Communication and Reporting Initiative

 

Program Description

The Office of Annual Giving strives to maintain strong collaborative relationships with the schools, colleges, and units across campus. The D-SIP Intern was charged with improving current processes of sharing information, specifically for fiscal year-end reporting and distribution of FY11 plans, to all units. A collaborative electronic interface was needed for ease and efficiency of communication between the Office of Annual Giving and the Annual Giving Officers (AGOs).

Impact

Coordinating efforts is one of the major challenges of working within a complex and decentralized organization. As a result of this project, OUD Annual Giving was better able to communicate and coordinate appeals with schools/colleges/units across campus. The electronic interface (Microsoft SharePoint 2007) resulted in more efficient and effective communication, thus strengthening relationships formed with Annual Giving Officers and the reputation of OUD Annual Giving as a whole.  This project resulted in more strategically sound fundraising for the University of Michigan as appeals sent to prospective donors are more unified and consistent.

Skills Acquired

• Resource Versatility
• Research
• Written Communication
• Complex Problem Solving
• Technical Competency

“I had been given a truly monstrous project of changing the way that my entire department communicates and exchanges information, while coming into this project with limited prior knowledge of how I would complete this daunting task. As my supervisors spoke about how well I had ‘taken the project and ran with it,’ they continually referred back to how I was able to utilize all the resources at my disposal. Most often, these resources were people: colleagues in various areas of the University or outside business contacts.”

- Ari Schorr, D-SIP ’10

Donor Segmentation Using the Model and Screening Project

 

Program Description

The Office of University Development (OUD) completed an extensive Modeling and Screening project to identify giving propensity and gift amount range for every alumnus in the database.  The College of Engineering utilized this data to define unit-specific alumni segments, identify high opportunity groups, and develop solicitation campaigns based on common behaviors and characteristics. The D-SIP intern contributed to the first two stages of this project: defining alumni segments and gathering market information.  The alumni segments were based on annual giving likelihood and amount likelihood.

Impact

This analysis of alumni behavior, from demographic and behavioral patterns to communication preferences, provided the College of Engineering with valuable information for future annual giving campaign. This form of segmentation is expected to significantly increase alumni engagement and support resulting in more efficient fundraising campaigns. Similarly, other academic units within U-M have begun to utilize this consulting data.

Skills Acquired

• Data Analysis
• Data Pattern Visualization
• Research
• Oral and Written Communication

“The excellence of the College of Engineering is largely due to the abundance of resources. With a decrease in state support, it is more important than ever to engage alumni. Alumni segmentation will allow the College to use its existing resources to more effectively communicate with alumni.”

Meghan Harrison, D-SIP ’10

Events-based Fundraising

Program Description

Each year the Ozone House hosts a fundraising event called “Evening at the Farmer’s Market” (EATFM). EATFM is a sit-down dinner and silent auction for Ozone House supporters and has historically generated $40,000 of revenue. The D-SIP intern implemented specific fundraising efforts and helped plan the silent auction and raffle. Specific goals included: a 40% increase in silent auction profits, the establishment of silent auction protocols, and enhanced recruitment efforts of volunteers.

Impact

The Evening at the Farmers Market event annually provides the Ozone House with the necessary funding to provide support and housing for youth and families in crisis or conflict. By identifying and implementing best practices from similar events hosted across the country, the Ozone House recruited 90 volunteers and raised $11,357 in the silent auction, well over the $4,475 raised in the previous year (154% increase). Overall, the event raised over $50,000, a 25% increase from the previous year.

Acquired Skills

• Flexibility
• Strategic Thinking
• Written and Oral Communication
• Data Analysis
• Problem Solving

“Before, I used to look at fundraising and asking for gifts as manipulation. But cold calling these businesses made me realize that fundraising isn’t that at all. It’s about showing other people how passionate you are about something and allowing them to connect their passion and their desire to do make an impact with something tangible. It has pushed me far outside my comfort zone with networking with business professionals and soliciting donations.”

Rita Razalan, D-SIP ’10

Developing Support Programs for Non-traditional Hires

Program Description

The Office of University Development (OUD) sought to develop new programs in support of non-traditional hires with the hope that these programs would ease their transition into the fundraising profession. In order to effectively complete this project, the D-SIP intern had to: compile perspectives on non-traditional hiring strategies employed by current hiring managers; identify effective tactics that would incentivize schools/colleges/units to consider non-traditional candidates; and implement programming to support those schools/colleges/units that hired non-traditional hires.

Impact

As the non-profit sector becomes increasingly competitive, the recruitment of experienced fundraisers similarly becomes increasingly difficult. Therefore, the University of Michigan Talent Management team investigated the potential around non-traditional hires (or candidates with no formal experience in fundraising, higher education, or both) and the training programs necessary to ensure a successful transition into the profession. Support programs for non-traditional hires will ideally help managers feel supported in their hiring decision and help our fundraising community remain vibrant, diverse, and effective when fundraising in a competitive market.

Acquired Skills

• Research
• Code Switching
• Program Development
• Analysis

“Learning to navigate the bureaucracy of a large organization like the University of Michigan is difficult but ultimately rewarding.”

Jaime Ziegler, D-SIP ’08

Improving Funding Awareness

Program Description

The U-M Health System, Department of Surgery is divided into multiple units, each with specific fundraising goals. To meet the financial needs of each unit, fundraisers must utilize multiple sources of funding from grateful patients, alumni, faculty, and/or foundations. The D-SIP intern conducted a feasibility study to identify foundations in Ann Arbor that could serve as potential funding sources for existing needs within the Department of Surgery.

Impact

The D-SIP intern conducted an analysis of Ann Arbor area foundations and created a directory of potential funding opportunities to help maximize the efficiency of grant requests for this department. The directory included relevant information about each foundation, including total assets, grant funding availability and range, funding patterns, and names of board members. The creation of this database enabled major gift officers to approach funding sources more efficiently, ultimately allowing for the success of each unit’s fundraising goals. As a result on this work and other initiatives, the Department of Surgery was able to acquire $20,000 from an external foundation.

Acquired Skills

• Oral and Written Communication
• Financial Acumen
• Technical Knowledge and Application
• Information Synthesis
• Organizational

“To be generic in development work is to be forgettable.”

Katy Wallander, D-SIP ’09

Researching Contemporary Social Platforms

Program Description

The School of Music, Theater & Dance sought to build a social media presence through the creation of a Facebook page. The D-SIP intern researched the extent to which organizations, internal and external to U-M, have utilized Facebook as a tool for marketing, public relations, and fundraising. At the end of the summer, the intern proposed recommendations for a Facebook page and best practices around implementation.

 

Impact

 

The benefits of this social media design resonated with both the midsize student body as well as the alumni of the School of Music, Theater & Dance.This business tool became a means of broadcasting relevant events for the school, served a recruitment tool for prospective students, as well as a method for re-engaging alumni. The D-SIP intern assessed the advantages and disadvantages of a Facebook page and concluded that while the tool effectively connects an educational setting to businesses and organizations globally, with a networking field that is continually changing the page will need constant adaptation. The development office effectively engaged all

 

departments within the School of Music, Theatre & Dance in the creation and implementation of this social media platform, which currently has 3,184 likes.

Acquired Skills

• Social Media Expertise
• Flexibility
• Persuasive and Concise Communication
• Resource Versatility
• Design

“I learned about how important private donations are to the survival of any institution and can now act as an ambassador to my fellow students”

Patrick Carter, D-SIP ’09

Building Web Tools for Foundation Fundraising

Program Description

To increase efficiency, the Corporate and Foundation Relations department needed to capture and disseminate their collective community knowledge. The D-SIP intern developed profiles of twenty different foundations. These profiles include foundation history, program areas of interest, past grants to U-M and other institutions, alumni connections, contact information, and the application of this knowledge to U-M projects. This tool provides business strategy and support for the department of Corporate and Foundation Relations by guiding faculty on effective funding proposals.

Impact

The creation of these twenty profiles will help Corporate and Foundation Relations faculty become more autonomous in their grant writing as they are better able to target foundations likely to fund their projects. In addition, time management for faculty will become exponentially more efficient as they will have increased access to relevant websites, tax forms, giving histories, and the foundations’ goals. The database will be continually updated to include recently funded projects and current trends thus ensuring its sustainability and relevance.

Acquired Skills

• Research
• Oral Communication
• Information Synthesis

“The changes that you can make don’t only impact today, but the future as well. I am implementing procedures and a system to ensure that even when I leave, the chapter will still operate in the same way. You don’t get to make true footprints in the sands of time if they get washed away as soon as you’re gone.”

Joseph Sutkowi, D-SIP ’10

Benchmarking Leadership Programs in the Non-Profit, Private, and Public Sectors

Program Description

Recent studies indicate a looming leadership crisis in the non-profit sector. The Development Summer Internship Program was created as a pipeline for young talent to become familiar with a profession in development and in turn supply the non-profit community with qualified young professionals. The D-SIP intern identified current recruitment and training efforts in the non-profit sector, as well as programs in the public and private sectors. This research is intended as a model for local and national foundations interested in funding the transfer of the D-SIP model into specific areas of the non-profit sector.

Impact

This benchmarking study identified best practices around recruitment and retention policies within public and private companies and investigated the applicability of the D-SIP model within the nonprofit sector. As a result of this study, the D-SIP intern was asked to identify potential funding sources for the creation of an internship program within Washtenaw County. Key stakeholders within the Office of University Development and the Ann Arbor community are currently discussing the best method for securing the necessary funding and moving forward with this initiative.

Acquired Skills

• Data Analysis
• Benchmarking
• Written Communication
• Information Synthesis
• Strategic Thinking
• Organizational Skills

“This project has furthered my appreciation for the extensive planning involved in leadership development programs. I have learned how multifaceted and complex they can be, and how components are specifically tailored to an organization’s mission. I have also experienced the difficulty of truly understanding a program when only relying on secondary sources, without firsthand experience or speaking with a representative.”

Cynthia Chan, D-SIP ’09

Benchmarking Scholarship Affinity Groups

Program Description

The College of Engineering sought to develop Scholarship Affinity Groups, which are defined as events and activities for alumni and present students receiving the same scholarship. The purpose is to build relationships and convey a sense of giving back to the College of Engineering community.  The D-SIP intern was responsible for benchmarking the best practices of scholarship affinity groups at other universities and recommending a program for organizing scholarship affinity groups specific to the College of Engineering. Her recommended plan included how to organize and convene Scholarship Affinity Groups, an implementation timeline, and a report on how scholarships have benefited the College and former recipients.

Impact

• A list of best practices was developed through research of programs available at other schools and institutions. This analysis was based on academics, Big Ten affiliation, location, previously benchmarked institutions, and fundraising levels.
• The College of Engineering will use the assessment to determine the feasibility of creating Scholarship Affinity Groups and formulating a plan to establish them over the following years.
• Research conducting by the D-SIP established a template for recording contact information, status, and information learned from various peer institutions.

Acquired Skills

• Data Analysis
• Benchmarking
• Written Communication
• Information Synthesis
• Strategic Thinking
• Organizational Skills

“Overall, completing this work plan taught me several things that will carry through to other aspects of my internship and future activities. I learned how to use clarity in writing for the business world, using a structure and language that was clear to me and to my audience.”

Katelyn Videto, D-SIP ’09