For one day each fall, a wave of excitement takes over the Nova Nation and unites all of us on campus and around the world to celebrate the greatness of Villanova University. This is 1842 Day. On Sept. 18, 2018, Villanova’s second annual day of giving built on the memorable momentum created in our inaugural year and set out to challenge all members of our community to rise to a new level of 24-hour philanthropy: 5,000 donors! We transformed the center of our campus and our online presence into an 1842 Day blitz, covering all corners of Villanova’s reach to ensure every Villanovan was ready to engage in what has become a favorite “flash” experience for our loyal supporters.
From the Judges
Villanova University’s giving day, 1842 Day, had strong connection to the institution’s mission. Occurring on the university's founder’s day, the giving day provided an instant connector to university core values. The programming was intentional and planned well. Examples of Villanova's intentional planning was its use of defined segments and individualized messaging; campuswide participation that included student ambassadors, faculty, and the president; and the creative use of challenges and rewards that drove participation. The marketing collateral was genuine and captured the essence of Villanova’s spirit. While Villanova had a larger budget than most other entries, it only spent seven cents per dollar raised.
