Michael Criscuolo, vice president of the Development department, shares how his team enables Wistar Science to thrive
Can you give me an overview of the Development department and its mission?
We are here to support the mission of the Wistar Institute by raising money and spreading the word about Wistar’s work. Our responsibility involves several different elements. We find new donors, and we make sure that relationships with our current donors, some of which have been stewarded over the last 134 years, are maintained and enhanced. Many of those are multi-generational families with decades of history, and our goal is to make sure those individuals and those families feel appreciated. For newer donors, we work on becoming familiar with their interests and understanding what a philanthropic commitment from them might look like. We have a saying: “People give to success, not distress.” People want to back a winner, so it’s important that they understand they are supporting an organization with a 134-year history and a record of success. What’s most critical, though, is to make people feel that they have a true relationship with the Institute that they’ve invested in. We make every effort to ensure we are the conduit between them and everything that goes on at Wistar.
How do you get people interested in the work that Wistar does, which can sometimes be challenging to fully understand?
We engage with current and potential donors on their terms. We go to them. We learn about them. We find out what they are passionate about – always making sure to put our donors first. Then we share Wistar’s story, which is a multi-faceted one. We connect the dots between our friends and donors and the elements of Wistar’s mission that we believe will most resonate with them – but only after listening intently to their perspective. Sometimes our Development team accomplishes this with Wistar Trustees, senior leaders, or scientists by our side. Usually it is in-person. Sometimes it is virtual. Always, it is donor centric – with the goal of making the science accessible.
Can you explain how you work with researchers and other members of the staff to identify opportunities for funding?
First, we stay close with our president and CEO, along with the entire senior leadership team. We look at our current and anticipated needs and determine where funds are most needed. The CEO really is the one to chart the course forward, but we involve everyone from IT to Operations to Finance in the planning process. Two members of my team—Brittany McCrimmon and Brenna McBride—have ongoing meetings throughout the year with each of the Institute’s Principal Investigators to hear their plans, their needs, and their wish lists. We compile all that data, evaluate it, and then we sit down with the CEO to identify the specific areas where philanthropic funds can be used to support our work.
What makes philanthropy so important to an organization like Wistar?
Philanthropy used to be the icing on the cake. But with federal funding changes, it has become a vital resource in the Institute budget. It makes all the difference in the world, both in the short term and the long term – be it buying a piece of equipment or endowing a professorship.
How did you get into the development field?
I graduated with a degree in English and ended up securing a communications job at a nonprofit hospital in Center City Philadelphia. When I started, I was writing press releases, issuing media advisories, running press conferences, and after about six months the head of the development department suggested I move over to the fundraising side, which utilizes a similar skill set. I started grant writing and coordinating special events to bring in philanthropic dollars. I was eventually recruited to a local hospital/health system. I spent 17 years there leading different development shops and running successful capital campaigns before joining Wistar in 2023.
What are your plans for the next few years?
We have a new incoming CEO, and there is no busier time for a chief development officer than when you have a new CEO. As a development professional, it’s my responsibility to take that new CEO out to the community and make introductions. Establishing and helping to nurture the relationship between our friends and the new CEO is profoundly rewarding and meaningful.
What reenergizes you outside of the office?
Running. I’m typically up at 4 or 5 a.m. and I’ll run six or seven days a week. I’ve done a few half-marathons, and I’m setting up for my first marathon coming up on November 22 in Philadelphia. I’ve never done that before, so we’ll see how it goes. My oldest daughter talked me into it. I love staying active, traveling, and hanging out with my kids and my partner, Jill. She keeps me grounded.