Member Spotlight: Melissa DeClue

Name: Melissa DeClue

Institution: University of South Carolina

Position: Interim Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship

ADRP member for 3 years

How long have you worked in donor relations/stewardship and how did you get involved in this profession?

I’ve worked in donor relations and stewardship for six years. At the start of my career in higher education, I got involved with donor relations and stewardship out of curiosity. When I was working in academic affairs at a technical college, I saw a position post for a Donor Relations Coordinator. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp what donor relations was, but what I did understand was the idea of developing relationships. Relationship building is the highlight of what we do, so with a background in psychology, I love it! Every day is a new opportunity to get to know someone new.

Could you tell us something about the organization you work for?

The University of South Carolina is the state’s flagship university. The main campus, located in the capital city of Columbia, is one of eight campuses in our system. As an institution, we are focused on education, research, community engagement, service, and economic development. Go Gamecocks!

What do you like most about being a member of ADRP?

I enjoy networking with members and receiving in-depth information through our conferences, webinars and listserv.

What is your greatest donor relations/stewardship achievement?

I created “surprise donor tickets” for a segmented group of donors with tickets to a “surprise” on-campus experience. On one of the experiences, I had the pleasure of joining the donors at the event, and we had such a great time talking about their time at UofSC from the 1970s. The couple I spoke to has since increased their giving to the university. It was fun creating curated content for our most loyal supporters that inspired and motivated them.  

What is the most important professional goal you are currently pursuing, i.e., attaining a degree, preparing to give a presentation, launching an initiative at work or in your community, etc.?

I am currently pursuing opportunities to present at conferences. I presented at the ADRP NY regional conference and received useful feedback that will help me grow and prepare for the next presentation.

How big a role does the use of social media play in your work?

Social media is handled by our Marketing and Communications Department.

Is there a resource, i.e., book, blog, website, etc., that you would recommend to other ADRP members?

One of my quick “go-to’s” for mentoring a colleague is The Journal of Donor Relations and Stewardship, because it provides great information on defining, structuring and measuring our work. Another great resource that provides examples and a wealth of information, as it relates to the 4 Pillars, is Lynne Wester’s Donor Relations Guru site. Then, there is the book that initially inspired my donor-focused mentality, Penelope Burk’s Donor-Centered Fundraising.

What is the best piece of professional advice you have ever received?

The best piece of advice I received is “It’s okay to make mistakes.” Yes, there are mistakes that can seem earth shattering, but this advice was meaningful, because it pushed me to try new things and not be afraid of the outcome. It allowed me to make thoughtful decisions and know that if they didn’t turn out the way I planned, I could go back to the drawing board, restructure, and try again, or not. It’s a learning experience.  

Are there any particular stories, insights, etc., from your experiences in donor relations and stewardship that you would like to share with our colleagues?

As I mentioned, don’t be afraid to make a mistake. There are so many times that I pushed the boundaries to create something new. There are times when things may not work, but when they do, it’s beautiful! I will never forget my first produced video for a scholarship luncheon in my first job as a donor relations professional. I must have looked up different videos for days trying to figure out what messaging would speak to the donors the most. I finally landed on creating my own theme and script. It was entitled, “Past, Present and Future.” The students were asked to share their past experiences and how their present opportunities (school and funding) will impact their future. It was such a beautiful video, with great students, and didn’t leave a single dry eye at the luncheon. It was an experience that I will never forget and showed me that this is the field that I truly want to be in.