Arts and Sciences Foundation
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Development and Communications Committee
October 1, 2026
Arts and Sciences Foundation Board of Directors Development and Communications Committee Minutes of the April 16, 2026 Meeting On Thursday, April 16, 2026, the Development and Communications Committee of the Arts and Sciences Foundation Board of Directors met in Hyde Hall at 1:35 p.m. Board Of Directors Carrie Banwell Lisa Huffines Rita Hanes Staff Alan-Michael Chunn Molly House Ronda Manuel
Charlier Mercer Christie McNeill Jennifer Rich (chair)
Ashley Watson Jim White
Colleen Sisneros Meredith Tunney
Natalie Vizuete André Williams
Welcome and Introductions The meeting was called to order by Jennifer Rich at 1:35 p.m. Ms. Rich welcomed attendees, including Dean Jim White, and invited all participants to introduce themselves and share their affiliations with the University. New members and first-time attendees were welcomed to the committee. The minutes from the Fall 2025 meeting were reviewed and approved as written. A motion was made by Rita Hanes and seconded by Lisa Huffines. Fundraising Update Ronda Manuel shared an update on fundraising progress for fiscal year 2026. • The current fundraising goal for FY26 is $60 million. • To date, the Foundation has raised $49.3 million, leaving approximately $10.6 million remaining to meet the goal. • A $9 million gift received in January is not yet reflected in the totals, placing the College very close to achieving the FY26 goal. • Q4 (April–June) has historically been the strongest fundraising quarter for the Foundation and the team expects strong results by June 30, 2026. Qualified Pipeline Breakdown The current qualified pipeline totals approximately $65.8 million: • $58.1 million in gifts at $250,000 and above • $7.1 million in gifts ranging from $100,000–$249,000 • $553,500 in gifts up to $100,000
1
UNC Arts and Sciences Foundation, Inc. Development and Communications Meeting Thursday, October 1, 2026 Hyde Hall – Incubator Room 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. 1:30 p.m.
Welcome and Introductions
Jennifer Rich
1:35 p.m.
Fiscal Year 2026 Fundraising Update and Fiscal Year 2027 Progress and Goal
Ronda Manuel
• • • • 1:50 p.m.
Arts and Sciences Fund Update • • • •
2:05 p.m.
2:20 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
2:40 p.m.
Colleen Sisneros
Overview of Fall Meeting Donor Stories
Former Director’s Engagement Committee Update • • •
Natalie Vizuete
College Magazine - Future Plans
Deans’ Arts and Sciences Leadership Council • •
Meredith Tunney
Storytelling to Make a Case for Support Customized Stewardship Projects Video Projects
Dean’s Office Communications Highlights •
Anna Peterson
FY27 Arts and Sciences Fund Progress to Goal Growth and Impact of Fund Dean’s Circle Growth and Upcoming Events How you can help
Donor Relations and Fundraising Communications Update • • •
2:15 p.m.
Overview of FY26 YTD Progress and Pipeline Review Team Growth FY27 Proposed Goal
Rita Hanes
Dean’s Insider Call Honors Carolina Go Anywhere Platform Spring Events
Recap and Closing Remarks • Upcoming Events
Jennifer Rich
Ms. Manuel explained that “qualified pipeline” refers to prospects that have already been engaged and assessed for interest and giving capacity. Additional “big win” opportunities totaling approximately $20 million remain under consideration but are not included in pipeline totals due to uncertain timing. Staffing and Fundraising Capacity The frontline fundraising team has expanded significantly from 7–8 fundraisers to 15 frontline fundraisers. The long-term staffing goal is 20–22 frontline fundraisers. New team members mentioned included: • Stephanie Carper • Kelley Traynham • Layla Tremalio • Michael Walsh Ms. Manuel emphasized that increased staffing capacity has contributed significantly to stronger fundraising performance, donor engagement and pipeline development. FY27 Goal Discussion • Foundation and College leadership proposed a delay in setting the fiscal year 2027 fundraising goal until after June 30, 2026, in order to evaluate final FY26 outcomes and assess pipeline carryover. The committee was supportive of this delay. • The committee discussed the growing emphasis on realistic goal setting and increased accountability from University leadership regarding annual fundraising targets. • The FY27 pipeline currently includes approximately $136 million in qualified solicitations, with an additional $80 million identified as potential “big wins.” Annual Giving Update Molly House provided an update on the Arts and Sciences Fund. • As of April 13, 2026, the Arts and Sciences Fund had raised $2,163,152 toward a goal of $2.4 million. • The annual fund is currently ahead of the previous year. • A record-breaking direct mail appeal featuring a letter from Ms. Hanes generated approximately $80,000 and was identified as one of the strongest mail responses in recent years. • Ms. House discussed reviewing donor feedback and motivations for giving, noting recurring themes of gratitude, paying opportunities forward and supporting future students. • The Dean’s Circle ($1,500+ annual Arts and Sciences Fund gifts) currently includes approximately 645 members. • A 50th anniversary photo book was distributed to Dean’s Circle members and received overwhelmingly positive feedback. 2
•
Updated tiered benefits and community-focused engagement strategies were introduced this year.
Ms. House highlighted a successful insider access event featuring History Professor Matt Andrews discussing the history of basketball in North Carolina. GiveUNC • GiveUNC raised more than $3 million for the College, representing a 20% increase year-over-year. • Approximately $665,000 of the GiveUNC total supported the Arts and Sciences Fund. • Dean White emphasized the importance of unrestricted Arts and Sciences Fund support in meeting immediate College needs throughout the academic year. Campaign Update Colleen Sisneros provided an update on the University-wide campaign, which remains in its quiet phase. The campaign planning process continues to focus on refining messaging, identifying priorities and aligning College priorities with broader University goals. Chancellor Focus Areas include: • Enrollment growth • Physical master planning • Applied sciences and engineering • Artificial intelligence • Athletics • SCiLL (School of Civic Life and Leadership) Campaign Timeline • The campaign quiet phase officially began July 1, 2024. • A public launch is tentatively anticipated in late 2028 or early 2029. • The campaign is projected to conclude June 30, 2032. Elevator Pitch Development Ms. Sisneros reviewed the development of a College elevator pitch emphasizing: • Preparing students for life, not just careers • Critical thinking, adaptability and creativity • Global mindset with local roots • UNC as “proudly public” and “boldly innovative” Committee members provided helpful feedback in shaping the elevator pitch. Donor Relations And Communications Update Meredith Tunney provided updates related to stewardship and donor communications. 3
Stewardship Reporting • Electronic stewardship reporting is expected to launch in September 2026. • The system will allow donors to receive personalized online reports demonstrating the impact of their support. Donor Engagement Ongoing efforts focus on: • Personalized donor communication • Student impact letters • Custom principal gift stewardship pieces • High-touch donor experiences A student scholarship impact letter was shared as an example of meaningful donor stewardship and storytelling. Dean’s Office Communications Update Natalie Vizuete shared updates regarding communications, marketing and University branding initiatives. Carolina Arts & Sciences Magazine • The latest issue of the College’s magazine, Carolina Arts & Sciences, has been released and includes features on faculty research, student engagement and interdisciplinary programming. University Branding Initiative • The University is transitioning away from the Old Well logo and adopting the interlocking “NC” branding identity. • Digital materials are currently being updated across the College and University. • Printed materials are expected to fully transition by June 2027. • The committee discussed the broader national recognition associated with the interlocking “NC” mark. The full board will hear a presentation on the University’s branding during the plenary session. Former Directors Engagement Committee Update Ms. Hanes provided an update on former directors’ engagement efforts. The committee continues to focus on increasing personalized communication and engagement opportunities for former directors. Current Initiatives • Personalized outreach related to insider access calls and GiveUNC participation has increased engagement among former directors. 4
•
The committee is partnering with the Honors Carolina “Go Anywhere” platform to create mentorship, networking and internship opportunities for students.
Future Plans • Regional and campus engagement opportunities • Post-meeting updates for former directors • Expanded insider access programming Ms. Hanes noted that leadership transitions for the committee are expected within the next year or two. Prospecting Exercise Ms. Manuel led the committee through a prospecting and donor identification exercise. • Committee members reviewed prospect lists and identified individuals within their networks who may have an interest in engaging with the College of Arts and Sciences. • The exercise focused on leveraging board relationships and expanding the donor pipeline for the upcoming campaign. Recap and Close Ms. Rich thanked committee members and staff for their continued dedication and participation. Attendees were reminded of the afternoon arts engagement session at the Ackland Art Museum and the evening gathering at the Carolina Inn. The meeting adjourned at 2:42 p.m.
5
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Office of University Development FYTD Fundraising Commitments Summary 7/17/2026 7:00:06 AM Grants Loaded Through 6/30/2026 Ed Foundation Gifts Through 6/30/2026 Non-conforming indicates commitments that would have counted under prior CASE counting standards. ***This confidential report is intended for internal use by employees of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for fundraising purposes. ***
Sites
Total Committed This FYTD
Prior FYTD Total % Change Prior Committed FY
Fiscal Year Goal
% Fiscal Year Goal Reached
Total Committed Excluding Grants
NonConforming Commitments
Ackland Art Museum
$5,801,080
$6,927,163
-16%
$5,000,000
116%
$5,196,080
Adams School of Dentistry
$5,067,606
$6,326,197
-20%
$5,000,000
101%
$4,870,967
$203,187
$0
Carolina Center for Public Service Performing Arts Carolina
$463,302
$1,193,637
-61%
$400,000
116%
$333,302
$0
$3,030,978
$3,168,398
-4%
$1,500,000
202%
$3,030,978
$0
College of Arts and Sciences Area Eshelman School of Pharmacy
$68,695,726
$52,635,023
31%
$60,000,000
114%
$43,297,434
$2,593,480
$19,439,448
$7,577,334
157%
$6,000,000
324%
$13,342,112
$9,619,555
Gillings School of Global Public Health Graduate School
$24,775,398
$18,183,445
36%
$20,000,000
124%
$9,908,916
$6,134,549
$1,131,105
$1,642,236
-31%
$1,250,000
90%
$1,131,105
$350,000
Hussman School of Journalism and Media Institute for the Environment
$5,548,279
$2,659,784
109%
$5,500,000
101%
$5,398,279
$462,332
$3,413,573
$2,117,993
61%
$1,500,000
228%
$1,227,748
$179,744
Kenan-Flagler Business School
$26,317,499
$22,626,731
16%
$27,000,000
97%
$24,201,999
$0
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center Foundation Morehead-Cain
$3,401,946
$1,086,743
213%
$1,500,000
227%
$2,938,563
$0
$13,597,600
$4,135,597
229%
$15,000,000
91%
$13,597,600
$25,000
NC Botanical Garden
$4,346,085
$3,324,411
31%
$2,400,000
181%
$4,346,085
$0
Scholarships & Student Aid
$27,529,627
$33,165,975
-17%
$21,000,000
131%
$24,950,930
$6,100,000
School of Data Science & Society
$440,828
$192,244
129%
$0
0%
$390,827
$0
School of Education
$3,721,123
$2,882,867
29%
$3,000,000
124%
$3,646,232
$40,012
School of Government
$2,391,135
$3,258,967
-27%
$2,250,000
106%
$1,811,760
$20,000
School of Information & Library Science School of Law
$1,587,688
$1,180,844
34%
$3,000,000
53%
$852,688
$188,094
$9,931,457
$4,828,108
106%
$6,800,000
146%
$9,931,457
$0
School of Nursing
$5,553,457
$9,799,847
-43%
$5,500,000
101%
$5,517,151
$3,071,777
School of Social Work
$7,058,031
$5,395,618
31%
$5,000,000
141%
$3,293,806
$130,944
Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture Student Affairsand History
$463,104
$419,859
10%
$500,000
93%
$463,104
$125,000
$2,961,432
$1,831,210
62%
$3,000,000
99%
$2,961,432
$0
UNC Athletics
$102,164,486
$91,295,349
12%
$80,466,000
127%
$102,164,486
$0
UNC Health
$194,341,412
$140,474,477
38%
$154,898,468
125%
$136,117,881
$32,089,400
University Libraries
$11,003,254
$1,143,551
862%
$4,000,000
275%
$10,238,254
$0
University Wide
$51,556,385
$41,685,650
24%
$0
0%
$44,448,228
$2,706,763
$471,159,258
29%
$500,000,000
121%
$479,609,406
$64,039,837
Totals Sites Without Goal Subtotal
$66,459,588
Sites with Goal Subtotal
$539,273,456
Total
$605,733,044
CONFIDENTIAL - OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA - CHAPEL HILL USE ONLY
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Office of University Development FYTD Fundraising Commitments Summary 9/21/2026 5:10:05 AM Grants Loaded Through 7/31/2026 Ed Foundation Gifts Through Non-conforming indicates commitments that would have counted under prior CASE counting standards. ***This confidential report is intended for internal use by employees of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for fundraising purposes. ***
Sites
Total Committed This FYTD
Prior FYTD Total % Change Prior Committed FY
Fiscal Year Goal
% Fiscal Year Goal Reached
Total Committed Excluding Grants
NonConforming Commitments
Ackland Art Museum
$238,962
$249,624
-4%
$0
0%
$238,962
Adams School of Dentistry
$498,401
$1,304,191
-62%
$5,150,000
10%
$480,401
$0 $0 $0
Carolina Center for Public Service
$10,683
$12,163
-12%
$0
0%
$10,683
Carolina Performing Arts
$178,019
$196,550
-9%
$0
0%
$178,019
$0
$13,624,161
$14,020,105
-3%
$75,000,000
18%
$8,765,777
$74,881
College of Arts and Sciences Eshelman School of Pharmacy
$901,588
$10,166,380
-91%
$6,750,000
13%
$138,525
$150,000
$2,019,860
$4,414,381
-54%
$20,500,000
10%
$1,646,335
$989,213
Graduate School
$30,513
$19,274
58%
$1,375,000
2%
$30,513
$0
Hussman School of Journalism and Media
$882,875
$346,993
154%
$0
0%
$882,875
$0
Gillings School of Global Public Health
Institute for the Environment
$13,614
$276,140
-95%
$0
0%
$13,614
$0
$7,592,941
$1,839,254
313%
$0
0%
$7,592,941
$0
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
$25,946
$99,922
-74%
$18,500,000
0%
$25,946
$0
Morehead-Cain Scholarship Fund
$166,736
$93,733
78%
$0
0%
$166,736
$0
NC Botanical Garden
$324,443
$337,853
-4%
$2,700,000
12%
$324,443
$0
School of Civic Life and Leadership
$572,600
$161,750
254%
$0
0%
$572,600
$0
School of Data and Information Sciences
$3,110,841
$245,841
1165%
$0
0%
$101,361
$0
School of Education
$5,086,914
$84,106
5948%
$3,500,000
145%
$5,086,914
$0
School of Government
$4,876,249
$169,978
2769%
$3,000,000
163%
$4,876,249
$0
$372,315
$2,003,245
-81%
$7,500,000
5%
$372,315
$0
$2,474,652
$2,929,893
-16%
$6,000,000
41%
$2,177,668
$55,000
School of Social Work
$898,073
$407,329
120%
$6,000,000
15%
$358,239
$9,713
Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History Student Success
$57,772
$111,809
-48%
$0
0%
$57,772
$0
Kenan-Flagler Business School
School of Law School of Nursing
$7,322,997
$6,718,832
9%
$26,400,000
28%
$6,207,997
$0
UNC Athletics
$548,422
$619,327
-11%
$0
0%
$548,422
$0
UNC Health
$1,158,278
$22,475,970
$45,753,819
-51%
$200,000,000
11%
$14,431,815
University Library
$112,289
$2,594,242
-96%
$4,120,000
3%
$112,289
$0
University Wide
$3,607,833
$8,465,931
-57%
$0
0%
$3,592,833
$580,000
$103,642,665
-25%
$660,000,000
12%
$58,992,242
$3,017,085
Totals Sites Without Goal Subtotal
$17,984,617
Sites with Goal Subtotal
$60,041,050
Total
$78,025,667
CONFIDENTIAL - OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA - CHAPEL HILL USE ONLY
Arts and Sciences Foundation Development Team
Stephanie Carper Director stephanie_carper@unc.edu
Ochuko Jenije
Michael Klaus
Associate Director ochuko.jenije@unc.edu
Director michael.klaus@unc.edu
Board: Institute for the Arts and Humanities
Amelia Rubino Director arubino@unc.edu
Board: Writing and Learning Center
Gabriel Rollins Director gabriel_rollins@unc.edu
Angela O’Neill
Associate Dean and Vice President ronda.manuel@unc.edu
Senior Director and Assistant Vice President angela.oneill@unc.edu Areas of Focus: Arts and Humanities Initiative, Centers and Programs
Casey Saussy
Colleen Sisneros
Director csaussy@unc.edu
Senior Director and Assistant Vice President colleen.sisneros@unc.edu
Board: Shuford Program in Entrepreneurship
Board: Carolina Center for Jewish Studies
Ronda Manuel
Kelley Traynham Associate Director kelley_traynham@unc.edu
Areas of Focus: Campaign Strategies, Study Abroad, and Volunteer & Donor Engagement Board: Dean’s Arts and Sciences Leadership Council
Layla Tremalio Senior Director and Assistant Vice President layla.tremalio@unc.edu Areas of Focus: College Initiatives Board: Carolina Public Humanities (Interim)
André Williams
Sara Wajda
Mike Walsh
Director sara.wajda@unc.edu
Senior Director and Assistant Vice President michael_walsh@unc.edu
Senior Director and Assistant Vice President andre.williams@unc.edu
Areas of Focus: College Initiatives
Areas of Focus: Principal Gifts, Center for Student Success Relocation Project and Scholarships
Board: Honors Carolina
Donor Relations and Communications STEWARDSHIP
COMMUNICATIONS
COMPLIANCE
RECOGNITION
1,098 reports per year
Strategic communications for signature initiatives (“Celebrating 50 Years of Philanthropy” and Campaign for Carolina impact report)
Gift agreements and amendments
Gift announcements
Annual disbursement of Foundation funds to departments
Tribute videos
Biennial donor recognition event programming and communications
Designation and source creations
6,400 acknowledgement letters, cards and emails annually Custom Stewardship Plans
Budgets for proposals Campaign messaging development Departmental trust fund audits Invitation language, branding, programs and follow-up communications Proposals/ concept papers/ one-pagers “News from the College” e-newsletter Holiday cards Impact stories Website creation and maintenance
Donor stories Commemorative books Citations
Development Team Regions DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
REGION
DEVELOPMEN T OFFICER
Ochuko Jenije
Orange (A-H)
Layla Tremalio
Northern
Casey Saussy
Orange (I-Z)
Casey Saussy
Southern
Layla Tremalio
Wake (A-H)
Michael Klaus
Southern
Gabriel Rollins
Wake (I-Z)
Kelley Traynham
Colorado
Vacant
Western
Amelia Rubino
Connecticut
Casey Saussy
Winston-Salem
Angela O’Neill
STATE
REGION
Alabama California
Florida
Eastern
Amelia Rubino
Western
Vacant
STATE
Ohio
Kelley Traynham Southern
Michael Klaus
Georgia
Vacant
Pennsylvania
Mike Walsh
Illinois
Stephanie Carper
Rhode Island
Mike Walsh
Kentucky
Michael Klaus
South Carolina
Ochuko Jenije
Louisiana
Ochuko Jenije
Maine
Vacant
Tennessee
Maryland
Kelley Traynham
Texas
Massachusetts
Charleston Area
Colleen Sisneros Michael Klaus
Northern
Ochuko Jenije
Mike Walsh
Dallas/Ft. Worth
Colleen Sisneros
Michigan
Angela O’Neill
Houston/Austin
Layla Tremalio
Missouri
Gabriel Rollins
Southern
Gabriel Rollins
New Hampshire
Vacant
Vermont
New Jersey
Michael Klaus
Virginia
New York
North Carolina
Metro
Ronda Manuel
Metro
Amelia Rubino
Charlotte Metro
André Williams
Charlotte
Kelley Traynham
Durham
Stephanie Carper
Chatham
Mike Walsh
Eastern
Gabriel Rollins
Greensboro/ Burlington
Ochuko Jenije
Vacant Southern
Mike Walsh
Tidewater/ Outer Banks
Kelley Traynham
Washington
Casey Saussy
Washington D.C. area
Michael Klaus Ronda Manuel André Williams
Wyoming
Mike Walsh
London, UK
Sara Wajda
Note: Major Markets are covered by all Senior Directors of Development and the Directors of Development for Honors Carolina and the Institute for the Arts and Humanities. These markets include but are not limited to the Atlanta, Charlotte, New York City, Raleigh/Durham and Washington D.C.
Development Team Departments/Units DEPARTMENT/UNIT
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
DEPARTMENT/UNIT
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Academic Advising
Kelley Traynham
Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures
Amelia Rubino
Aerospace Studies
Layla Tremalio
Greek Professorships and Faculty Funds
Casey Saussy
African, African American and Diaspora Studies
Ochuko Jenije
History
Ronda Manuel*
American Studies
Kelley Traynham
Honors Carolina
Sara Wajda
Anthropology
Andre Williams*
Institute for the Arts and Humanities
Stephanie Carper
Applied Physical Sciences
Mike Walsh
Curriculum in Latin American Studies
Colleen Sisneros*
Art and Art History
Kelley Traynham
Latina/o Studies
Gabriel Rollins
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Colleen Sisneros*
Writing and Learning Center
Mike Klaus
BeAM
Mike Walsh
Linguistics
Ochuko Jenije*
Biology
Ochuko Jenije
Mathematics
Ochuko Jenije
Carolina Center for Jewish Studies
Amelia Rubino
Medieval and Early Modern Studies
Gabriel Rollins
Carolina Public Humanities
Layla Tremalio*
Military Sciences
Layla Tremalio
Center for the Study of the American South
Kelley Traynham
Music
Layla Tremalio*
Chemistry
Layla Tremalio
Naval Sciences
Layla Tremalio
City and Regional Planning
Michael Klaus
Office of Study Abroad
Colleen Sisneros
Classics
Amelia Rubino
Office of Undergraduate Curricula
Kelley Traynham
Communication
Gabriel Rollins
Office of Undergraduate Education
Kelley Traynham
Computer Science
Casey Saussy
Office of Undergraduate Research
Kelley Traynham
Contemporary European Studies
Ochuko Jenije*
Parr Center for Ethics
Ronda Manuel*
Creative Writing
Gabriel Rollins
Philosophy
Gabriel Rollins
Curriculum in Global Studies
Ochuko Jenije*
Physics and Astronomy
Ochuko Jenije
Curriculum in Peace, War and Defense
Michael Klaus
PlayMakers Repertory Company
Ronda Manuel*
Digital Humanities
Michael Klaus*
Political Science
Michael Klaus
Dramatic Art
Ronda Manuel*
Psychology and Neuroscience
Amelia Rubino
Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences
Ochuko Jenije
Public Policy
Michael Klaus
Economics
Ronda Manuel*
Religious Studies
Amelia Rubino
English and Comparative Literature
Gabriel Rollins
Research Laboratories of Archaeology
André Williams*
Romance Studies
Mike Walsh*
Environment, Ecology and Energy (E3P)
Ochuko Jenije Scholarships
André Williams
Exercise and Sport Science
Layla Tremalio Sexuality Studies
Amelia Rubino*
Geography
Ronda Manuel* Shuford Program in Entrepreneurship
Casey Saussy
Sociology
Ronda Manuel*
Statistics and Operations Research
Ochuko Jenije
Summer Bridge/Male Engagement/Peer Mentoring
Kelley Traynham
Undergraduate Retention
Kelley Traynham
Women’s and Gender Studies
Amelia Rubino*
* Indicates interim liaison role
The End