Alumni and Advancement

Fundraising suitable for Nipissing University must demonstrate some benefit to the student experience, a particular department, or the University as a whole. As Nipissing is a registered charity, the Advancement department manages all fundraising at the university and issues charitable tax receipts for all contributions. Therefore, approved fundraising initiatives must demonstrate the aforementioned qualities to qualify for charitable receipts in order to be compliant with the Canada Revenue Agency.  Initiatives designed to directly benefit one student, faculty, or staff, are not suitable for Nipissing University fundraising.

Any member of the Nipissing community can fundraise but must review the project for approval with their department administration to be vetted for Advancement consideration. The decision to approve the project remains with University senior administration for Advancement implementation.

All University fundraising priorities are approved by the senior administrative team based on alignment with university strategic initiatives, fundraising priorities and policies, existing fundraising initiatives, and expected fundability. Once approved, the Advancement leadership team will coordinate efforts to fundraise for the project.  

University faculty or staff who are interested in starting a fundraising initiative should bring their idea to their department administration for review and approval.

Fundraising requires time, effort, communication, and consistency. Here are some tips to increase the success of a fundraising initiative: 

• A good story and sense of urgency. It isn’t enough to just ask people to give, donors need to understand why their giving matters and how their donation will create positive change in the lives of a student.
• A goal.
• Fundraising has a higher success rate when someone is dedicated to promoting the initiative. Choose a champion who is willing to dedicate the time, has a community network of supporters and represents the project well.
• Sharing regular social media posts with relevant pictures, updates on fundraising goals, and stories on how donations have made a difference will increase the likelihood of more contributions to the fund.
• Give. Making your own personal gift makes it easier to ask others for a donation.