Longtime UIndy Athletics administrator Matt Donovan is now is his third decade with the University. He has been recognized by his peers as a dedicated and visionary leader in his field, and was named the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) Fundraiser of the Year for the College Division in 2016.
Donovan joined the athletic department in 1999 to build financial support for Greyhound Athletics by spearheading the development and growth of the Greyhound Club. With a dedicated staff and Board of Directors, the Greyhound Club membership has grown to more than 1,800 individuals, a record for the organization.
Under Donovan’s leadership, the Greyhound Club produced more than $7.9 million in annual gifts since its inception. In 2003, the Club initiated the Crimson and Grey Member Drive. This program has been vital to the Club’s membership growth along with the annual support of each graduating senior’s membership in the organization every year. His work was instrumental in transforming home football games into more than just an event, with enhancements such as “Tailgate Town,” a Stadium Club and a reserved parking donor program for tailgating fans.
In addition to the development of the Greyhound Club, Donovan initiated numerous other successful ventures, such as a comprehensive partnership program that has netted over $2.1 million in sponsorship dollars. He also created a planned giving society that secured future commitments totaling over $350,000 for the university.
Donovan was also an integral leader in one of the University's most extensive and comprehensive fundraising campaigns. The campaign, entitled Champions Challenge, raised over half a million dollars in the 2014-15 fiscal year, more than doubling the initial set goal.
Results of the increased support of Greyhound Athletics brought a host of capital improvements, including facility renovations and enhancements to the athletic venues for the institution. In addition, the growth in visibility and support of Greyhound Athletics resulted in a first-ever licensing agreement to protect the university’s logo, to make Greyhound apparel available in more retail outlets, and to develop revenue streams for the university.
Donovan manages a Board of Directors which began with six initial members and now consists of more than 60 individuals. He served as a university liaison to the NFL and local organizing committees as UIndy was a practice site for Super Bowl XLVI. Donovan has presented at conferences for BOSCA, NAADD, NACDA and the NCAA Convention providing revenue generating ideas.
Prior to joining the athletics department, Donovan had an extensive background in fund-raising. He served as Project Director for “The Campaign for Penn” in 1993-94 at the University of Pennsylvania. He was Associate Project Director for the Purdue University Phone-a-thon from 1991-93.
He worked from 1994-99 as the UIndy Director for Annual Giving, building a fifteen percent increase over the five years. In that role, Donovan created and implemented new socialization programs for parents, faculty/staff, and advanced degree recipients, raising record amounts from each.
The Western Illinois University graduate, from Peoria, Ill., is a past president (2008-2009) of the National Association of Athletic Development Directors. Matt and his wife, Angela White, have two sons: Casey and Patrick.
