Advancement: The “Other Triad”

Within Warren Wilson, there is another triad that comes into play; one that keeps the College itself strong, well-rounded and firmly grounded. This triad comes under the moniker of “Advancement.”

What is Advancement?

Many of us think of Advancement as synonymous with “fundraising” or “development.” Indeed, this is one of the three legs of the Advancement platform. Its success is tightly intertwined with the activities of communications and marketing, alumni and other external relations.

The role of the Advancement Office at Warren Wilson is to advance the mission of the College among all audiences, in all ways. In our work, “friend-raising” is just as important as fundraising. Our goal is to build long-term, close relationships with as many constituents as possible—but especially you, our alumni, friends and parents. Building relationships are essential to achieving our mission and growing Warren Wilson over the long term –building them takes three things: money, messages and teamwork.

Funding/Giving – Focus of the Development Staff

While Warren Wilson teaches students the value of life beyond money, finances are still a very real factor in the College’s day-to-day operations. As you know, student tuition does not cover the full cost of providing the Warren Wilson experience, and increasing sources of private funding is absolutely critical to our existence.

Within the Advancement Office, the development department focuses on avenues for fundraising.

These include:

Major gifts from

• foundations
• businesses and
• individuals;

Annual giving at all levels from

• alumni,
• parents and
• friends;

Planned giving; and

Occasional large-scale capital campaigns for specific building projects or endowments.

Fundraising is a step-by-step process; donors often will begin with small gifts and increase them over time as their relationship with the Warren Wilson grows. We help create positive engagement with donors through our communications with them and by providing opportunities to interact with the College.

Teamwork – Creating Relationships with Alumni and Community

Long-term relationships don’t happen on paper. They are created when people communicate directly with one another, share stories, ideas and opportunities, and work together to achieve common and mutually beneficial goals. Our external relations department creates opportunities for WWC alumni, friends, parents, church partners and members of the surrounding community to engage with one another and with the College in meaningful ways.

Events such as Homecoming, receptions in other parts of the country, Weekend at Wilson, the Green Walkabout and The Swannanoa Gathering give graduates and community members an opportunity to visit our campus, forge personal relationships with individuals here, and feel a sense of kinship and shared identity with the Warren Wilson family.

Being involved in a “hands-on” way with Warren Wilson brings the College’s brand and messaging to life, and helps to grow potential or modest donors into long-term supporters. 

By combining development, external relations and communications activities all under the umbrella of Advancement, we are more strategic, more efficient, and more effective in achieving the College’s mission. Every one of us has a role to play in helping advance the mission of Warren Wilson. By working together strategically, we are certain to succeed.