Combining Iowa State's alumni association and foundation is complete

The combination of the Iowa State University Foundation and the Iowa State University Alumni Association has been completed, although a key governance step remains. In an Oct. 8 report to President Wendy Wintersteen, Sophia Magill said the combination of people and programs was completed by the goal of Sept. 29.

Magill, senior advisor to the president and director of federal relations, chaired the steering committee that oversaw five teams working on details of the combination. Steering committee members included representatives from the ISU Alumni Association, ISU Foundation and university.

"The combination of the alumni association and the foundation is an opportunity for us to leverage the strengths and capabilities of both organizations," Magill said. "We are creating a more strategic future that helps us better serve our constituents and our common purpose: to support and lift up the impact of Iowa State University."

A change to the governance structure

The combination's governance team recommended making the alumni association a supporting organization of the ISU Foundation. That change, which shifts governance to the foundation while preserving the association's status as a legal entity, will help streamline how the combined unit communicates and engages with stakeholders.

Changing the alumni association's articles of incorporation requires a vote by members, and in an upcoming vote, they'll be asked to do that.

November vote

At its fall meeting on Oct. 24, the ISU Alumni Association board of directors is expected to call for a special meeting of members on Nov. 10. On that date, a vote would take place in person at the Alumni Center, with proxy voting available for members.

Preceding the fall board meeting, an online forum for alumni association members regarding the vote has been scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Leaders from both organizations will be present to answer questions. Alumni association members will receive an email message with details on registering for the forum.

Under the new governance structure, with the ISU Alumni Association as a supporting organization, the ISU Foundation will expand alumni engagement as part of its mission to provide fundraising, stewardship, endowment management and information management for Iowa State University.

"This is an exciting opportunity for both organizations to better serve Iowa State University and its students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends," said Chad Harris, chair of the ISU Alumni Association board of directors.

Magill said, "Efforts will be ongoing to build an overall strategy that combines long-standing programs like Homecoming, Student Alumni Leadership Council, alumni awards and clubs, and alumni travel programs with the ISU Foundation's expanded engagement responsibilities to ensure alignment with the university's overall goals for connecting with students, alumni, donors and friends."

Combining the alumni association and the foundation was one of five key recommendations made last spring by the consultant, The Segal Group, following a five-month assessment of the university's communications and constituent engagement.