A Conversation with Brodie Remington, Terrapins' Top Fundraiser
 

Successfully fundraising for the state's flagship university is no small feat, but Brodie Remington, Vice President of University Relations and President of the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, does just that.  MSPP Professor Bob Grimm moderated Remington's conversation with students on Oct. 14, where he discussed the art and science of fundraising and the best ways for students to become involved. 

Remington, who joined UMD in 1999, has increased the university's fundraising efforts from approximately $73 million per year to over $130 million per year.  He is currently managing the university's Great Expectations campaign to raise over $1 billion. 

Students in this semester's philanthropy class are responsible for personally raising funds to increase the amount of the grants awarded, so the conversation with Remington was particularly pertinent to their coursework.  Discussing both the art and science of fundraising, Remington passed on a lot of practical knowledge.  "Believe in what you're doing," he advised.  He told students that fundraising is about forming relationships, and while some days he does just ask for money, most days are spent talking to people about the the University of Maryland.  While fundraising can be difficult, he reminded the students to be fearless: "Fear the turtle fundraiser," he concluded.

The event is part of Professor Grimm's I-Series course on Philanthropy with College Park Scholars Public Leadership students. Follow current philanthropy students online as they figure out how to give away up to $27,000. http://collegeparkphilanthropy.wordpress.com/