From the Nominator

"The national movement against racial injustice in the United States catalyzed the Florida International University (FIU) Foundation to reimagine the intentionality of its philanthropic work and to implement solutions. In 2021, the Foundation Office of Inclusive Philanthropy (FOIP) was established. Located at a university that is Hispanic and minority-serving and committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), FOIP enlisted several development professionals and collaborated with university leadership, faculty, and staff to assess and address those areas where FIU had more good to do. Institutionally and within the foundation, several funding priorities were identified that would begin to address systemic inequities. To uplift these priorities and capture FOIP’s purpose and breadth, FOIP collaborated with an FIU Foundation writer to create FOIP’s case for support—its anthem.   

At the time, FIU was in a fundraising campaign, Next Horizon: The $750 Million Campaign for FIU, publicly launched in January 2019, a year before the pandemic pause. The foundation had already developed and published a suite of campaign case statements for the institution and its colleges, schools, and units—a first for FIU. To bring FOIP into the campaign’s momentum and messaging, the writer adapted the FOIP case structure to that of the Next Horizon case statements. But the vibrant look and bold tone of the FOIP case enabled FOIP to step out of the campaign framework with its story and empowering brand. The result was a 36-page full-color case, "Difference-Driven Fundraising and Change-Making at FIU," published in June 2022."

From the Judges

The judges were thoroughly impressed by this piece, which served as an exemplary model for effectively showcasing diversity initiatives through visual elements and written content. The publication demonstrated a remarkable ability to capture the essence of diversity, celebrating inclusivity in both the design and the engaging narratives. The judges recognized the exceptional work in promoting and highlighting diversity.