July 11, 2024

SVSU hires fundraising leader as new vice president for development

Saginaw Valley State University has announced that Brian Brunner will join the university as its inaugural vice president for development, following a national search.

Brunner comes to SVSU from Lindenwood University in Missouri, where he has served as the assistant vice president for advancement for the past four years. He is familiar with Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, having graduated from Central Michigan University and working there for eight years across two terms of employment.

“I am thrilled to be returning to the Great Lakes Bay Region, and I relish the opportunity to build a development operation that can elevate SVSU for the next 60 years,” Brunner said. “Donors have many reasons to give, but in my experience, what resonates most often with them is the opportunity to impact students’ lives, and I was impressed by the student-centered culture I saw firsthand throughout the interview process.”

SVSU President George Grant Jr said Brunner has shown success building and strengthening relationships with donors, alumni and other key supporters of the university.

“We are doing tremendous work to prepare our students for successful futures and create community connections to improve the quality of life in our region and beyond,” Grant said. “We want donors, alumni and others to better understand the work we are doing, and we are confident that as we deepen that understanding, we will identify opportunities that are mutually beneficial.”

At Lindenwood, Brunner was a leader in helping the private institution raise more than $5 million each of the past four years, surpassing its annual fundraising goal on each occasion. He introduced the university’s first-ever “giving week” campaign, and he collaborated with Lindenwood’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion to establish a student emergency and equity fund. Brunner also successfully solicited several major gifts.

“I believe SVSU has a chance to do some big things to advance the diverse set of communities we serve,” Brunner said. “I am impressed with President Grant’s commitment to building relationships throughout the state, and I want to be a part of that. Universities play an important role economically and culturally; SVSU already is doing great work, and I think we’re poised to do more.”

A native of Wisconsin, Brunner played quarterback for the CMU football team and then worked in fundraising for CMU Athletics from 2010-2014. He accepted a position as assistant athletic director at South Dakota State University, and in his two years there, he increased annual giving for athletics by 77%.

Brunner returned to CMU as associate athletic director in 2016 and focused his efforts on soliciting leadership gifts of $100,000 or more, directly raising more than $7 million and contributing to the university’s comprehensive campaign.

Brunner completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees at CMU. His community service includes a term on the board of the Michigan Humanities Council, serving as legislative advocacy chair. He will begin his duties at SVSU on Monday, Aug. 19.