Join us to gain insights into the millennial mindset and learn proven techniques to help you tailor your fundraising to young donors. WeÕll share examples of appeals and events that have successfully engaged students and recent graduates, fostered long-term relationships and created active and supportive communities of alumni.
During this 75-minute session youÕll hear from fundraisers at a large public university and a private, liberal arts college about their successes and challenges in connecting with recent graduates.
Ron Cohen, vice president for university relations at Susquehanna University, will explain how he asks young alumni to offer their time, such as providing career advice or helping to recruit students, and why he treats these requests just like a fundraising campaign, including following up with an acknowledgment of their help. HeÕll share examples of successful direct-mail and email appeals as well as valuable lessons learned from a few efforts that missed the mark.
YouÕll also hear from Geoff Hallett, assistant director of annual giving at Penn State. HeÕll share examples and results from successful crowdfunding campaigns and explain how recent successes are helping shape new strategies. For example, heÕll explain how and why future efforts will aim to better identify and connect young alumni to the aspects of campus life they most care about.
And Joyce Matthews, a senior development director at Penn State, will recommend ways to identify and engage young alumni with high earning potential. SheÕll share insight into ÒThe Lions of Wall StreetÓ program that encourages giving among recent graduates working in finance, computer, and high-tech careers. SheÕll also take you inside a recent event that offered young alumni networking opportunities, an introduction to philanthropy, and access to big donors. The event and a matching gift challenge helped the university raise more than $1 million from more than 200 alumni.
What Will You Learn?
Smart strategies for connecting with young supporters to build loyalty.
Which kinds of appeals garner more donations.
How to motivate millennials to give.
Who Should Attend?
Communications directors, social-media managers and online marketers
Chief fundraisers, and development directors
Alumni relations professionals
Volunteer managers