There are so many different educational organizations and institutions and understanding each others practices and finding a way to redefine and transform them so they fit our own institution is an important concept that many still need to learn.It's better practices, not best practices.
Storified by Cristina Picozzi · Sat, Oct 27 2012 16:53:07
Oakwood School created this video to not only engage donors is a funny and lighthearted way, but to encourage them that donating is helping so many areas.
Sometimes it takes an influential voice to get people to pay it forward and other times it just takes a strong connection to an organization to give back and pave the way for others.
These two stories talk about how two Harvard alumni donated back to different parts of the school because of traditions and forward thinking that institution has. Stories about donors and their experience can be encouragement for others to think about their philanthropy.
There are other ways to get donor participation and engagement to increase their gift like thanking them for thinking of your institution to begin with.
Tuition Freedom Day at La Sierra University. Tuition Freedom Day is the point in the year when tuition runs out and donations start paying for education. Tuition only covers about 65% of the cost of someones education. Even if a student doesn't receive a lot in aid the tuition ceiling is capped because of unrestricted gifts.
Other activities like National Philanthropy Day are educational but can make philanthropy fun for students and current donors, which is very important for engagement. Using social media to share these concepts is a great way to reach a large audience. Events that get constituents involved can make the biggest impact. They want to know that their opinions matter and that they are important.
RT @UNTstewardship: More fundraising trivia..what day is National Philanthropy Day? First UNT student to answer correctly wins. #UNT #StudentsGivingtoStudents
These ideas should be adapted to fit the organization or institution because each entity is different and has a unique constituent base. They will and will want to be engaged in different ways.
