November 15, 2007
Does Facebook Make an Annual Fund Raiser's Job Easier?
Dori Sonntag, director of annual giving at Gonzaga University, writes on her blog that Facebook and MySpace are making her job easier.
While many college fund raisers and alumni-relations directors continue to struggle to make the best use of such social networking organizations, Ms. Sonntag says they help her institution raise more money.
“Ten years ago we relied mostly on direct mail pieces and the phonathon,” she writes. “Today, we have automated phone centers and other vehicles like online alumni communities to help locate and engage our alumni.”
At Gonzaga they are using Facebook not only to contact young alumni about events, but to inform employees and alumni about announcements and employment opportunities. They used Facebook to invite seniors to kick off the senior-class fund—based on responses, nearly 50 percent of the population heard about the fund through this one channel.
Are more college leaders embracing such site instead of shying away from them? What creative ways are they being used to raise money? How might they be better utilized in the future?
estrout | Posted on Thursday November 15, 2007 | Permalink
Previous: South Dakota State U. Receives Corporate Backing for Health and Science Complex
Next: Hef Finds Another Way to Foster Dreams