CASE Insights on Giving Days in partnership with Almabase-Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This interactive webinar, hosted by Jenny Cook Smith of Case Insights, focused on “Giving Days” — time-bound fundraising events central to many educational institutions’ advancement strategies. Jenny, along with panelists Aaron Riley (VP of Sales, AlmaBase), Daniel Bergner (Assistant VP of Annual Giving, George Washington University), and Tyrone Warnett (Senior Director of Annual Giving, Oregon State University Foundation) shared insights from a recent research study conducted in partnership with AlmaBase and designed by Dr. Liz Rothenberg. The study explored Giving Day goals, strategies, outcomes, and KPIs.<br /><br />Key themes included the challenge of declining donor numbers but increased gift sizes, with Giving Days playing a critical role in boosting participation, engagement, and donor pipeline development. Most institutions successfully met their dollar goals through Giving Days, though donor goal attainment was mixed. Common strategies that drive urgency and personalization were challenge gifts, matches, volunteer ambassadors, microsites, and personalized videos.<br /><br />Daniel highlighted GW’s successful student-led video ambassador program, which produces authentic, timely content that drives social media engagement and meaningful donor experiences, leading to a 44% increase in donor revenue and 9% donor growth. Tyrone shared Oregon State’s “Dam Proud Day,” a campus-wide event building culture and philanthropy via competitions, recognition awards, creative events, and strategic stewardship, yielding significant year-over-year growth.<br /><br />Panelists discussed challenges in donor retention outside Giving Days and emphasized segmented, tailored messaging. The session concluded with 10 practical insights for Giving Day success, emphasizing donor-level strategies, community engagement, storytelling, data-driven planning, and emerging AI tools for personalization. The event reinforced Giving Days as vital tools for engaging donors, building community, and sustaining fundraising momentum within educational institutions globally.

Keywords

Giving Days

Fundraising Events

Educational Institutions

Donor Engagement

Annual Giving

Fundraising Strategies

Donor Retention

Personalization

Video Ambassador Program

Philanthropy