In November 2013, Giving Tree Associates was hired to assess University of Michigan (UM) Hillel’s fundraising program and develop a comprehensive fundraising strategy. UM Hillel’s mission is to enrich the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. Giving Tree consultants interviewed board and staff members, reviewed fundraising materials, studied gift processing procedures and evaluated giving trends and data.  They then prepared a comprehensive set of recommendations and designed a strategy to deepen relationships with current donors, expand and personalize the organization’s major gift campaign, and streamline fundraising efforts.  Deliverables included a cultivation / stewardship plan, a detailed campaign calendar, a donor recognition program, gift processing guidelines, board development best practices, job descriptions and the re-organization of development department staffing. Giving Tree presented final recommendations to UM Hillel’s Board of Trustees in February 2014.