Mary Gornto, The University of North Carolina Wilmington's Vice Chancellor of University Advancement, announced that she will retire July 15th. After loyally serving the university for 12 years, Gornto has decided to step down for several reasons.
"I turned 65 recently, but this wasn't a set year I thought I would retire. I feel that I either need to retire now or commit to another 7-8 years for the next upcoming university fundraising campaign-and I didn't believe that I could commit to another 7-8 years," said Gornto.
"Also, my grandchildren are growing up. I don't want to miss the important things," said Gornto.
Chancellor Miller will seek to find Gornto's successor immediately. His decision will have to be ratified by President Ross, the president of the UNC system as well as the Board of Governors. Sentimentally speaking on her feelings about leaving UNCW, Gornto described it as an outstanding and unique place.
"It's very bittersweet. It's been a joy and a privilege knowing so many unbelievable people. Leaving the people is going to be the hard part. Not having to wear hose and high-heels every day will be the good part," said Gornto.
As UNCW's Vice Chancellor of Advancement, Gornto is responsible for all private fundraising that the university pursues, with the exception of the athletic department, which operates as a separate entity. The athletic department has a major gift officer whom reports to her regularly.
Gornto is also a part of Chancellor Miller's senior leadership team who runs the overall administration and management of the university.
Private fundraising for the administration is different than the athletic department in that the office does little event fundraising. Gornto and her staff works to develop long-term relationships with donors and pursue major gifts of $25,000 and up. She explained that there have been gifts of up to several million from individual donors.
Gornto begins the process by identifying potential donors and qualifying them as a potential resource, exploring their affinity to the university. After the relationship is cultivated and a sense of what is of interest to the donor is established, the donor is solicited through an "ask."
Emphasizing the importance of stewarding donors, Gornto explained the important of keeping donors engaged and motivated to want to make a difference at UNCW.
"If you can get a donor to make a gift three times, then they are yours to lose. Because they saw the value of their first gift, they made a second gift and they were pleased with the impact it had. Now they are engaged and committed. If you steward them properly, you are going to have a good relationship," said Gornto.
There are studies that show that donors who make a significant gift (a million dollars or more) will do so after being involved in donating for 20 years, according to Gornto. This study supports the importance of creating that long-term relationship.
In order to maintain positive relationships with donors, there are a number of ways UNCW honors those who give a gift. Thank you notes are always given. If the donation is significant, the donor may be asked to a press conference to announce the gift. Donors may be invited to serve on a board and they may get their name listed on a plaque.
"Even just visiting with them is important. Calling them on the anniversary of their gift to let them know- I don't know if you remember you gave on this day last year but I just want to let you know what a difference it has made" said Gornto.
There is an annual scholarship dinner held wherein all donors and students who have received scholarships are invited. This way, students who have benefited from scholarships get to meet the individuals who are helping provide them with an education.
"We find that the students love meeting the donors. Here's this person who doesn't know them and is helping them get their education. I get goose bumps even thinking about it," said Gornto.
Whether it is financial need or merit-based, if students have worked hard and are trying to excel, scholarships serve as a way to recognize hard working individuals, explained Gornto.
Donors typically choose where their money is allocated. Depending on their interests or the program in which they were an alumni, donors may give to that specific program. Donors can establish the scholarship in their own name, in memory of someone, or in honor of someone. They also select the criteria-whether it is a merit or need based scholarship.
"The only restriction is that the donor can not pick the recipient," said Gornto.
UNCW has 400 total scholarships available to students, which have been established by donors. This number is double what it was in 2006 when the last campaign began.
The goal of the campaign was to raise $65 million in addition to raising awareness about UNCW programs, and to motivate donors. The campaign exceeded its goal, raising 66.5 million and ending 11 months earlier than planned.
With the campaign, not only have the number of scholarships doubled, but $1.25 million has been added to the distinguished professor fund. Distinguished professors are nationally or internationally recognized individuals in their field, who are recruited by UNCW to teach. This process not only makes UNCW a more attractive and prestigious university, but ensures quality faculty for the benefit of students.
Apart from the big name donors, the senior class giving is a growing program. In 2000 the senior class raised money to buy the clock tower. Now, the university is allowing seniors to give money and choose where it goes, allowing students to feel that their gift has a personal meaning.
Approximately 25% of faculty give back to UNCW through donations. Because UNCW did not start growing as a university until the 90s, the university has a very young alumni, explained Gornto.
During the campaign, alumni accounted for 25.1% of donations. Corporations accounted for 21.8% of donations; friends (community members but not alumni), foundations, and parents account for the remaining gifts.
For someone who came to UNCW with no professional fundraising experience, Gornto has made an extraordinary impact. Previously the city manager of Wilmington, Gornto was recruited by the Chancellor at the time, Jim Leutze to become the next Vice Chancellor of University Advancement.
" I told him I didn't think there was anything I was qualified to do at UNCW. I came in with no professional fundraising experience. I really do have to credit two of my colleagues the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and the Assistant Vice Chancellor at the time who accepted me, were very supportive of helping me learn the university and helping me learn the higher education fundraising field, " said Gornto.
Prior to her position with UNCW, Gornto was involved in fundraising initiatives which included chairing a large endowment campaign and serving on the board supporting the cancer center in Chapel Hill.
"So I had some familiarity with fundraising from a volunteer standpoint. I was also on the executive advisory board for The Cameron Business School. So I knew a little bit, but a very little bit as it turns out," said Gornto, laughing.
Despite her original hesitance, with Gornto's direction, UNCW's endowments, annual giving, major gifts, and network of relationships have all flourished under her direction over the past twelve years. She has faith that the next fundraising campaign will be as successful, if not more than the previous.
"We have a fantastic staff and some really strong professionals at UNCW. I hope that whoever succeeds me has the same love and passion for UNCW that I have," said Gornto.
