Division of Advancement

Western Carolina University's commitment to sustaining and improving individual lives and enhancing economic and community development in Western Carolina and beyond requires significant resources. The development team is committed to raising funds to advance that purpose. We develop and create lasting relationships with alumni, parents, friends, corporations and foundations who are dedicated to helping us reach the goals of WCU's colleges, departments and units.

While each philanthropic conversation and decision is unique, our staff will help donors through every step of the process, including the structure of the gift and its purpose or focus. If you have a general question about giving to WCU, please call 800.492.8496 or email advancement@wcu.edu. To locate a specific member of the Division of Advancement, please visit our staff directory. 

For more information about Division of Advancement operations and offices, please see below. 

Office of the Vice Chancellor
The Office of the Vice Chancellor is responsible for the management of the Division of Advancement, philanthropic leadership boards, and campaigns. Activities and initiatives include:

• WCU Foundation Board of Directors
• Budgeting and Fund Management
• Campaign Planning and Implementation
• Campaign Planning Committee
• Campaign Steering Committee
• Advancement Events Management
• Principal/Leadership Gifts

Office of Advancement Operations 
The Office of Advancement Operations is responsible for supporting WCU’s fundraising and alumni engagement efforts by administering the database system and providing positive communication and experiences for donors and alumni. The units in Advancement Operations include database management, prospect management and research, gift processing, and accounting.  The office recently led the migration to a new customer relationship management platform, Raiser’s Edge NXT. Activities and initiatives include:

•  Raiser’s Edge NXT Management and Training
• Scholarship/Endowed Funds
• Transfers of Funds
• Financial Questions Around “9” Funds
• Gift Processing
• Gift Reporting
• Gift Stewardship
• Data Integrity

Office of Engagement
The Office of Engagement is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive program of activities designed to inform and engage alumni and strengthen lifelong relationships with WCU that will increase responsiveness to appeals for charitable support. Activities and initiatives include:  

• WCU Alumni Association Board of Directors
• Annual Giving and the Fund for WCU
• WCU Student and Young Alumni Engagement
• College and Unit-Based Alumni Events 
• Alumni/Student Mentorship and Internships
• Homecoming, Alumni Reunions 
• Affinity Alumni Clubs and Societies
• Constituency Communications

Office of Development
Development staff are responsible for the management and direction of the operations and programs of    Western Carolina University’s fundraising efforts, including the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of    current donors and prospective donors for the fulfillment of WCU priorities. Development staff work with alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations to secure gifts, and each college has a development staff member assigned as their point of contact for philanthropy. The assistant vice chancellor for development supervises directors and assistant directors in annual and major giving. Activities and initiatives include:

• Donor Relations and Stewardship
• Prospect Management and Research
• Corporate and Foundation Gifts
• Gifts to Create Named Spaces or Funds
• Scholarship and Program Endowment
• Annual Gifts 
• Major Gifts 
• Planned Gifts 
• Donor Events
• Donor Recognition