Case Study: Ohio Northern University achieves streamlined, data‑driven prospecting and improved fundraising efficiency with Blackbaud Target Analytics

Ohio Northern University - Customer Case Study

Ohio Northern University (ONU), an independent comprehensive university with five colleges, needed a more strategic way to identify and engage the right prospects across a diverse alumni base ahead of a major 150th‑anniversary campaign. With limited staff time and mixed results from prior screening solutions, the development team sought a reliable approach to prioritize prospects, standardize research, and improve fundraising efficiency.

ONU engaged Target Analytics’ Strategic Consulting team, which worked onsite with David Smittle and advancement staff to provide modeling, tailored recommendations, and a multi‑level prospect management policy. The result was new standard operating procedures and a tiered research process that cut basic research time, created data-driven workflows with reports and dashboards, streamlined insights for development officers, and increased team confidence and fundraising effectiveness.

Ohio Northern University

David Smittle

Director of Advancement Services