About the VCU Office of Development and Alumni Relations
The mission of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations is to maximize philanthropic support by engaging stakeholders with our institution working in partnership with all VCU schools, programs and campuses as one development and alumni relations community and implementing the best practices and efficient strategies to achieve a comprehensive development program.
Led by Vice President Jay E. Davenport, CFRE, the development and alumni relations enterprise includes more than 250 staff focused on marketing and engagement, alumni relations, advancement solutions and core philanthropy services such as regional, planned, corporate and foundation giving as well as fundraisers focused on securing funds for the university’s schools, colleges and units and VCU Health. Together, we work to move the university forward.
Davenport is highly regarded as a national leader of university campaigns and has co-chaired the national CASE conference on campaigns. He and his leadership team are dedicated to creating a sophisticated and diversified advancement operation that recruits, retains and grows its talent through targeted investments.
In 2025, DAR launched Unlocking Potential: VCU's Campaign for the Future. The largest fundraising campaign in VCU’s history, Unlocking Potential is a bold initiative to invest in that potential to help all who learn, teach, heal and excel at our university and health system achieve their promise.
Unlocking Potential: VCU's Campaign for the Future
Working in VCU DAR
Development and Alumni Relations has a talent management team that partners with a core values integration team for the successful recruitment, onboarding and development of staff. The 12-member integration team guides staff development (skills, leadership, team effectiveness), new employee orientation, all-staff retreats and diversity initiatives in keeping with VCU’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan.
VCU offers an institutional membership to CASE, and many of our development employees are active with the Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives. VCU also leads the way in the Richmond, Virginia, community in partnership with the Association of Fundraising Professionals to develop and grow young and diverse talent in development careers. VCU developed an undergraduate course, “Foundations in Fundraising,” to prepare and encourage future development professionals. Additionally, DAR staff teach “ASK 101,” a program to develop new frontline fundraisers, and “ASK 102: So You Think You Want to Be a Fundraiser?” to increase opportunities for transition into solicitation roles.
Working at VCU
At VCU, we Make It Real through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. A premier urban public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay and an opportunity to do mission-driven work.