2 minute read
Generosity
Turbocharging the day
If Give CSB Day is a race against time to gather as many gifts as possible toward scholarships in a single day, then all of us – as individual donors – are the engine that drives that performance. This year there were 829 givers who helped Saint Ben’s reach $486,152 in 24 hours.
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But the magic that really enhances the power of that engine every year is the fact that your individual gift is matched 100%. It makes Give CSB Day a powerfully attractive time to give. And it helps inspire the excitement around which we can all rally. So if we’re all the engine, then those matching dollars are kind of a turbocharger. “We definitely find that donors stretch a little farther on Give CSB Day,” notes Director of Annual Giving Maggie Weber Utsch ’00. “Part of that is the excitement of rallying together in a race for giving. But it’s also that folks know there are matching funds.” But where do they come from? Matching donors are simply generous supporters giving at the O’Connell Society ($10,000+) level, who want to leverage their own gifts into prompting more gifts. “These donors aren’t asking us to shine a light on them,” clarifies Chad Marolf, senior principal gifts officer. “They’re in this because they see the impact on scholarships.” And they’re not wrong. “It does drive more participation,” says Utsch. “When we had fewer matching dollars we raised less money. Everyone wants to know that their gifts are matched.” A case in point and a learning experience was our first day of giving: Nov. 13, 2013. The day was promoted as “$100K in a Day,” and gift officers had arranged $50,000 in matching grants. But when the total shot past $100k at 11 in the morning, and momentum threatened to stall, eight more donors quickly came forward with an additional $56,200 in matching grants. That first day of giving ended up bringing in $240,539!
Each year in July and August, gift officers at Saint Ben’s will start reaching out to prospective donors they feel can have an impact. “It’s a chance to get in touch with some new people each year and strengthen some relationships,” says Marolf. “Often though, there’s a lot of consistency in that group from one year to the next. Seeing the impact their gift can have in this situation tends to bring people back.” The greatest examples of that consistency are Bob (SJU ’65) and Joanne Neis. They have been matching gift donors to Give CSB Day for 10 years straight. As they explain it, “With all the institutional changes and challenges in higher education, we must enhance our support and value that we deliver to our students.”
Watch for details and join in the fun of Give CSB Day next October! If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a matching donor, contact Tara Maas ’14, senior planned and leadership giving officer, at tmaas@csbsju.edu or 320-363-5078.
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