Development’s Sutera teaches students about fundraising

Development’s Sutera teaches students about fundraising

BY ARIE WILSON
Rice News staff

A new undergraduate course is giving Rice University students an opportunity to examine the practice of philanthropy.

Paul Sutera

As Hanszen resident associate, Paul Sutera often found himself explaining his “day job” to the college residents he interacted with daily. Sutera, assistant director of leadership gifts, raises money from alumni for the Annual Fund, handling gifts up to $50,000.

“Students were always curious about what I do in [the Office of] Development,” Sutera said. “There’s a lot more to it than just asking people for money.”

“The Culture of Philanthropy,” a one-credit class sponsored by Hanzsen College, was created at the urging of students interested in the concept of giving on and off the Rice campus, Sutera said. “We made a bargain,” he said. “I said I would push for the course if they would help me develop the curriculum.”

As a result, Teresa Gore and Mary Niemann, both Hanszen College students, agreed to help with the program, Sutera said.

This semester, the 20 students enrolled in the pilot course have experienced a litany of speakers skilled in fundraising for nonprofit organizations. With the major tenet of philanthropy based on voluntary actions that benefit the common good, Sutera said, the course is designed to help students comprehend their roles in giving and sharing.

Not only will students benefit from the experience of top nonprofit leaders and fundraisers in Houston, but also they will be provided with the tools essential to successful fundraising, such as fundraising plans and proper ways to formulate and send solicitation letters, he said.

Additionally, the guest speakers provide insight and viewpoints with regard to their roles in the Houston philanthropic community.

During the Oct. 31 class session, Gary Easterly, owner of Easterly & Company, will address creating a brand, marketing, communications and public relations. Janis Fowler, director of resource development at Kingwood College, is scheduled Nov. 7 to explain government, corporate and foundation grants and to outline methods for researching appropriate types of grants.

The guest speaker portion of the class will culminate Nov. 14, with an interactive discussion by Jim Crownover, chairman of the Rice University Board of Trustees. Such topics as characteristics of strong boards and daily challenges of nonprofits will be covered during this class meeting, Sutera said.

Previous speakers have been Cathryn Rodd Selman ’78, volunteer chair of the Annual Fund; Kim Ogg, executive director of Crime Stoppers of Houston; David L. Moore, founder of Elves & More; Eric Johnson, vice president of resource development at Rice; Tom Herren, president of Tom Herren & Company Inc.; Anne Murphy, partner in Dini Partners; and Heather Cronk, representative of Idealist.org.

“I’m very excited about what these people have to offer,” Sutera said. “They are very good at what they do and have unique perspectives on fundraising.”
The class will conclude the semester with group project presentations, he said.

The students will be organized into five groups and given an opportunity to put their newly learned fundraising skills into practical use. Each of the groups will partner with a nonprofit organization in the Houston area to raise funds in a mock-presentation setting.

The groups will each be ranked based on their plan’s success, and a portion of Sutera’s teaching stipend will be given to each group’s nonprofit agency. The first-place presentation will receive $250, second place will take $200, third place will get $150, fourth place will be given $100 and fifth place will make a $100 donation.

Sutera said he’s giving his stipend to the nonprofit organizations for the benefit of helping students learn. “I didn’t want to teach this class for the money,” Sutera said. “It was — and always will be — about the students.”