From the Nominator

"Villanova students are bonded by their passion for the university and its community—and being a sports-crazed school on Philadelphia’s Mainline, they also love competition! The inaugural 1842 Day Student Giving Power Hour allowed student organizations to compete for a share of $10,000 while directly fundraising for their groups during Villanova’s Annual Day of Giving.  

Transforming the concept of a digital giving power hour, this on-campus initiative increased student engagement and giving, resulting in 31 participating student organizations of all sizes collectively receiving 922 gifts and raising over $7,000 in just one hour.   

Student organizations registered to participate, and then tiers were created based on student group size (small, medium, and large) to ensure equitable and fair competition. Student organizations competed against other groups of their size, and the top groups of each tier (10 total) received an additional $1,000 sponsored by a loyal Villanova family. Each group was provided a table and instructions on how to collect gifts through our social fundraising website, which were tracked on the backend by advancement staff.  

The groups used creative décor, activities, and outreach strategies to draw fellow students to their tables, resulting in an engaging and energized atmosphere. The Student Giving Power Hour was a strong complement to Villanova’s digital fundraising strategies and helped increase on-campus student engagement and donor-centric philanthropy."

From the Judges

The judges were highly impressed by the collaboration with student involvement, which resulted in an exceptional infusion of excitement and energy into student giving. The partnership showcased a deep understanding of engaging and empowering students, fostering a sense of ownership and enthusiasm for philanthropy. The judges recognized the impact of this collaboration in cultivating a culture of giving among students.