From the Nominator

"Florida Tech has developed a robust Day of Giving culture that alumni anticipate and respond to in strong numbers. Although we always employ a "best practices" approach, we wanted to take the 2021 Day of Giving to a new level. 

We imagined a new way to draw alumni to the Day of Giving website by offering interactive games that alumni could spend a few minutes playing individually or face-off with other alumni around the world. The theme was "Make an Impact. Make a Gift. Come to Play on Giving Day!" Our website featured a live stream of entertainment and games. Also featured was a leaderboard showing real-time dollars and donors for each participating college, athletic team, featured program, and participating student organization. The goal was to engage alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents, and friends. The university's YouTube channel webcast Panther-style Family Feud, Rock Paper Scissors Tournament, and an Esports Rocket League Tournament during traditional primetime hours. In addition, all visitors were invited into our virtual game room to play popular free online games like Scriblio and Chess. 

As of midnight, we stood at 2,857 donors compared to 2,541 the previous year. We raised $778,881 (excluding major gifts, but including matching gifts) for an average donation of $195 per donor, surpassing the prior year of $354,098. We celebrated Giving Day as the Florida Tech community, and our 2020 approach brought us together when we were isolated most."

From the Judges

Creative use of gamification. Online games, Family Feud, and Rock Paper Scissors keep people entertained, interspersed with giving day times. Gamification is creative and hard to pull together, so well done to the team on that initiative. They also planned out the day with timings (lull time in the afternoon), so good strategic planning there. Also, love the collaboration with other departments.