University Advancement

The Office of University Advancement promotes and develops support for The University of Alabama. Its six divisions — Advancement Services, Alumni Affairs, University Relations, Development, Government Relations, and Special Services — report to the vice president for University Advancement, who is responsible for setting the direction of and coordinating their efforts. The three main functions of the office are constituency relations (including alumni, media, government, and public relations), marketing communications, and fundraising. While each of the six divisions has primary responsibility for one area, each area's work reinforces and is reinforced by the others.

Advancement Services, Development, and Special Services identify and solicit financial support for the University from individuals, foundations, corporations, support groups, and private businesses. In support of these efforts, they provide memoranda of agreement between the University and private donors of restricted gifts of all types, and draft resolutions for The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama that recognize endowments and other significant contributions.

Alumni Affairs represents the more than 175,000 living University alumni worldwide through 113 alumni chapters. The office works to channel the time, energy, and financial resources of alumni and friends into support of the University.

University Relations helps develop public understanding of the mission of the University and of the changing directions of the institution. The office provides public relations planning, media relations work, and marketing communications for the University in accordance with need and institutional priorities.

Government Relations is the lobbying arm of the University, working to encourage local, state, and national elected officials to value and appropriately fund the contribution the University makes to the state of Alabama.

For more information about the Office of University Advancement and its activities, call (205) 348-4767.