From the Nominator

"Since late 2018, the University of Dayton’s (UD) advancement team has been working to develop a culture of philanthropy and volunteerism across the campus community. This is achieved through several key initiatives, including an annual giving day (One Day, One Dayton). 

Although the inaugural event was successful, it was important to build upon that momentum while growing educational and engagement opportunities in another new program: student philanthropy. If UD wanted to increase student participation, students first needed to be educated on the importance and overall impact of donor support. From there, they would feel empowered to make a financial contribution in support of their university.    

With giving day being held annually in April, using the former CASE model of a February-scheduled “Student Philanthropy & Engagement Month '' wouldn't lend the team much time to educate prior to solicitation. Even more, with 2020 bringing limited resources and strict rules against in-person events, UD’s donor relations team had to pivot and find new ways to celebrate the collective impact of UD’s generous donors. 

Together, donor relations, along with staff from the annual giving, alumni relations, and marketing and communications teams, launched a new stewardship program, Donor Appreciation Week (DAW), which takes place in mid-November each year.  

Since the inaugural event (2020), Students for University Advancement--UD’s student philanthropy and engagement organization--has collaborated with the overarching advancement team to host a variety of educational, donor-centric activities, educating an annual average of 2,500 students, while stewarding hundreds of new giving society members with limited expenses incurred."

From the Judges

Great example of thinking about the full cycle of engagement and giving by first educating students on the impact philanthropy has on their campus.