Key Elements
- The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy’s feasibility study revealed strong alumni commitment and affirmed the viability of a $150 million campaign.
- CCS helped restructure IMSA’s campaign strategy to focus on private philanthropy after state funding fell short.
- The campaign secured a $5 million lead gift—the largest in school history—and raised over $7 million in the early phase.
This campaign has shown us what’s possible when our alumni step forward with vision and generosity.
Dr. Evan Glazer, President, IMSA
The Challenge
The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) entered its campaign planning phase with the expectation that public funding would underwrite a significant portion of its planned capital improvements. However, state support did not materialize as quickly as expected, due to a highly competitive and fiscally-constrained budget environment. Recognizing the urgency to move forward, IMSA turned to CCS Fundraising in the fall of 2023 to conduct a feasibility study and assess the viability of a $150 million campaign goal.
The study offered IMSA not only a rigorous assessment of fundraising potential but also a strategic opportunity to reconnect with alumni. Many of these former students credit their personal and professional success to the Academy and expressed a renewed interest in supporting its mission.
The Solution
Following the successful completion of the feasibility study, IMSA continued its partnership with CCS into the campaign implementation phase. Together, we refined the case for support and restructured the campaign strategy to emphasize alumni engagement as one key source of private support.
CCS helped IMSA develop unit-specific fundraising priorities, build foundational campaign infrastructure, and launch a disciplined major gift strategy. We supported the recruitment and activation of a founding campaign cabinet composed of passionate alumni, and provided guidance on cultivating high-impact prospects through targeted outreach and engagement.
A CCS-guided cultivation strategy led to a $5 million lead commitment from a grateful alum—marking the largest single donation in IMSA’s history. This transformational gift not only set the pace for the campaign but also catalyzed additional major gift conversations, resulting in over $7 million raised in the campaign’s early phase.
The Impact
With CCS’s partnership, IMSA successfully transitioned from reliance on public funding to a bold vision driven by private philanthropy. The early success of the campaign, anchored by alumni leadership and a record-setting gift, has redefined what the Academy believes is possible for its future.
IMSA’s journey shows how bold early investments in strategic planning, prospect engagement, and campaign infrastructure can spark extraordinary results—even in challenging funding environments.
Featured Team Member
Partnering with IMSA in the early stages of this campaign was an energizing experience. Together, we built a strategy that embraced the strength of the Academy’s alumni and volunteer leaders and channelled that energy into a bold philanthropic vision for the campaign. The early momentum we achieved reflected sight-raising generosity and a shared belief in IMSA’s future and the power of community-driven impact.
Daniel Rosenstein, Senior Director
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