Annual Campaign - Best Direct Mail Package

Alpha Chi Omega

This two-year appeal, with the theme Every Sister Counts emphasized the hope that every sister makes a gift every year that is both meaningful and significant to her. The campaign included four solicitations over nine months that received positive feedback from donors and resulted in a net income of $48,000. In addition, the number of gifts over $100 increased by 96 over the prior year. All of this at a cost of only 17 cents per dollar raised. Congratulations to Alpha Chi Omega.


Annual Campaign - Best Non-Direct Mail Package

Delta Gamma

 Holiday campaigns have become a standard tool in fundraising. The challenge we face is how to keep developing new and innovative approaches year in and year out. The winner of this award had traditionally conducted a parent’s campaign around Valentine’s Day. This year they decided to do something different. Instead of being bound by the holiday they decided to conduct a “Just Because” calling campaign for the entire month of February. Parents were still able to recognize their daughters and the foundation was not bound by the limitations of a holiday campaign. This approach resulted in over $54,000 from 738 parent donations at a cost of 37 cents per dollar raised. Congratulations to Delta Gamma.


Annual Campaign - Best e-Mail Package

Sigma Sigma Sigma

The use of online solicitations has always been highly innovative and delivered sound results for this organization. Our winning campaign has been widely copied across the Greek fundraising world because of the peppy and fun approach used. Collaboration between the foundation and the vendor delivered an e-mail package sent to over 12,000 alumnae of all ages. Just over 1,000 gifts were received, 556 from women who had never made a gift to the foundation. In total, the solicitation yielded over $41,000 in donations at a cost of 38 cents per dollar raised. For this innovative solicitation, please congratulate Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation.  




Annual Campaign - Best Student Development Effort

Alpha Phi

The Loyalty Circle introduced to the members through a DVD and Web site designed to inspire and educate the undergraduates about service based leadership and the importance of individual charitable giving. Collegians can join the loyalty circle with a gift of any amount. As of June 15, 2007 490 undergraduates had joined the club a 45% increase over the prior year. This included 450 first time donors. This program is a fun and easy way for the collegians to connect with one another and make a difference in the lives of their sisters. Congratulations to Alpha Phi.


Annual Campaign - Best Alumni(ae) Development Effort

Sigma Nu

For this award, our winner recognized it is important to continue expanding their donor base. In order to meet this challenge this group was one of the first to implement the GOLD program. In the first year of the program, their staff met with close to 400 alumni, gained 146 gifts and raised over $200,000. In the past fiscal year, the staff increased their production meeting with close to 700 alumni, gained 345 gifts and raised almost $800,000. The greatest success of this initiative is not the money raised it is the, but the successful expansion of the group’s donor base. Congratulations to Sigma Nu.

 


Major Gift Campaign - Best Development Effort

Chi Omega

Chi Omega realized that in order to sustain the long-term needs of the Fraternity the members needed to support the creation of significant permanent endowment. The campaign launched in 2001 used a variety of tools to meet its four objectives and targeted known donors and friends of the fraternity for support. At the culmination of the campaign, 9.5 million dollars was raised and 90 named funds created. The effort more than doubled the previous fundraising record for the organization and represents one of the largest major gift efforts for any women’s organization. The success of the campaign really was built on the theme that there is only one chi omega! Please congratulate Chi Omega.


Donor Education/Relations - Best DVD/CD/Video

Phi Mu

This year’s winning piece was a CD highlighting the importance of continuing to educate donors on what the foundation really does. The piece sought to answer the age-old question “What is the Foundation?” The three-minute video that highlights three alumnae that have been helped by the foundation programs has been shown at all levels of the organization. The real life stories really touch the viewer and help convey the importance of supporting the foundation. This professionally produced video has proven to be well worth the initial investment. Congratulations to Phi Mu.


Donor Education/Relations - Best Brochure

Kappa Alpha

Our Best Brochure conveys the essence of the organization’s commitment providing potential donors with information on all of the giving opportunities available to them. Each member of the development staff provides informational folders to all alumni contacts. This timely and relevant information keeps donors apprised of what it is they are supporting. Congratulations to Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation!

 




Donor Education/Relations - Best Annual Report
(Stand-Alone)

Beta Theta Pi

The Best Stand-Alone Annual Report contained an excellent layout, great stories and explanatory information. It was mailed to anyone who had donated to the foundation in the last ten years, parent donors, undergraduates, chapter advisors, university presidents and “Friends” of the organization. The philosophy behind the widespread distribution is simple. Those who not listed will want to see their name along the current donors to the foundation. At a total cost of $25,050, the foundation was able to provide relevant and timely information to its audience. Congratulations to Beta Theta Pi.


Donor Education/Relations - Best Annual Report
(Special Issue of the Magazine)

Sigma Kappa

For the Best Annual Report as a Special Issue of the National Magazine, our winner used the new annual report to better tell their story. They made a conscious decision following a development audit to focus more on people and programs and less about the donors themselves. The response to this move has been extremely positive. Several first time donors made their gifts as a direct result of the revamped annual report. By focusing on programs and people, a more compelling piece was created. Congratulations to Sigma Kappa.


Donor Education/Relations - Best Donor Newsletter

 Kappa Alpha Theta

Our winner designed a great new look that highlights the important information donors need. The newsletter was designed in a manner to compliment the organization’s online newsletter, The Link. Like the Link, the editorial format utilizes the core purpose of the organization to help members Learn, Grow and Excel. The publication was distributed to 13,000 donors, alumnae chapters, and college chapters. Congratulations to Kappa Alpha Theta.


Donor Education/Relations - Best Donor Newsletter (Electronic)

Sigma Kappa
Each edition is being branded to include both the old and new look of the foundation as the group transitions to more electronic communications tools. Future issues of the newsletter will be integrated with holiday greetings and e-solicitations. The newsletter has received very positive feedback from donors. Congratulations to Sigma Kappa.


Best Public Relations Effort

Zeta Tau Alpha

This year’s Best Public Relations Effort award recognizes an attempt to engage the parents of young women to help foster responsible decision making on campus. Alcohol misuse is a serious issue and this organization believes that parents need to be involved in the lives of their daughters. By highlighting the organization’s investment in helping young women remain safe and healthy they have done just that. Congratulations to Zeta Tau Alpha.


Best Use of a Foundation Grant for a Fraternity/Sorority Project or Program

Phi Mu

Our recipient supported the continuing education of undergraduate members on the dangers of alcohol misuse and abuse. The foundation had already granted over $70,000 to the fraternity for Alcohol.Edu and in order to build upon that initiative the decision was made to make an additional grant of close to $5000. This grant went to purchase DVDs and wallet cards for distribution at six leadership conferences. The program had a tremendous impact on the women that attended the sessions. The program has since grown beyond the leadership conferences and is now available to the local chapters. Congratulations to Phi Mu Foundation.


Best Campaign/Program in Support of an Outside Philanthropy

Alpha Gamma Delta

 The philanthropic focus of the winning organization is Diabetes Mellitus research and education. The foundation has historically sponsored many portions of the Fraternity leadership conferences each year. This year the decision was made to include a “philanthropy night” as part of each conference. The philanthropy night educates leaders about diabetes and generates activity options for local chapter use. The response from the attendees was extremely positive and support for the organization’s philanthropy has increased significantly. Congratulations to Alpha Gamma Delta!


Best Special Event

Delta Tau Delta

Our winner for Best Special Event did an excellent job of kicking off a run up to a significant milestone in the organization’s history. The 150th birthday of Delta Tau Delta is fast approaching and in order to launch both an $18 million campaign and a yearlong celebration the foundation and fraternity collaborated on this event. By using choreographed speakers, lighting and sound the luncheon tracked the four fundamental principles of the organization throughout its history. Congratulations to Delta Tau Delta!
Best New Development Idea

Delta Gamma

Those involved in fundraising know that good communication is the key to building a personal connection with donors. Our winner for Best New Development Idea created a quick and easy tool for
communicating the foundation’s ability to influence the lives of so many in such a positive way. The wallet sized stat cards allow foundation staff and volunteers to show donors how their gifts are transforming the organization. The initial run cost $442 for 1000 cards. They proved so popular that a reprint was needed within two months. Congratulations to Delta Gamma.