The profession of advancement is less than fifty years old and is made up of three disciplines: alumni/constituent relations, fund-raising, and communications. While each is unique, we believe they spring from a common core focused on relationship building. Institutions seeking to build and manage strong constituent ties need to employ a strategy that integrates all three disciplines. At this time in the history of education, advancement success is synonymous with institutional survival. We believe that education is best served when each of the three areas of the advancement profession is in balance. For this reason, we take a comprehensive view in each project undertaken.

The issues surrounding advancement have been made more complex by the rapid and profound changes occurring throughout society. Decision-makers are confronted with exciting new opportunities on top of old challenges, including the eternally attendant questions about resources. Institutions, whether public or private, are turning more than ever to their constituents to provide the support—personal and financial-- to enable them to fulfill their mission. It is a conundrum that we have become a world with new riches, but one with greater needs. Never has there been a better opportunity for an advancement strategy that is entrepreneurial in the best sense: creative, energized, and successful in promoting the welfare of the institution.

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