The Development Council was an organization of university alumni established in 1953 to secure private financial support to supplement the university's traditional funding sources. When it was founded, the council consisted of a large body of volunteer solicitors guided by a volunteer board of directors. The group's day to day activities were supported by a small development office whose staff was paid for out of funds raised by the council. The council's first major project was the Michigan Annual Fund, a yearly solicitation of University of Michigan alumni. The Michigan Annual Fund (MAF) was quickly supplemented by special projects to cultivate foundation and corporate support.
In the early 1960s the university decided to launch a major fund raising project, the $55 Million Campaign. The project was the responsibility of the vice-president for university relations and in order to accomplish it, his office largely absorbed the development office. The council itself became relatively dormant during this period. At the conclusion of the $55 Million Campaign university officials realized the ongoing importance of the council, and helped revive and revitalize the volunteer element of the organization.
When Jon Cosovich was made Vice President for Development and University Relations in 1983, the university began to rely increasingly on a centralized staff in the area of development. Although not officially dissolved, the Development Council stopped meeting in 1985.
From the guide to the Development Council (University of Michigan) records, 1951-1985, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)
