South Dakota State University Foundation Storytelling Gives Donors a Fresh Perspective into a University's Bold Goals
The South Dakota State University Foundation supports the needs of the university through promoting charitable donations and informing donors of current and future initiatives. In 2021, they announced their next campaign for SDSU, a daring 500 million fundraising goal named “Bold & Blue”.
The Challenge
With a goal of $500 million, the foundation needed a website that told the story of where the donations would be used, promote giving, and ensure donors had a streamlined process to give. The recipe for success included a team of skilled marketers and passionate SDSU alumni who set out to give back to the university through a website as bold as the goal.
The Results
Keeping the various types of donors in mind, we created strategic pathways for giving, ensuring users knew where their funds would be used and the various methods for giving.
Transparency
A donation progress bar was developed to provide transparency and promote donations to help move the mark, gamifying the fundraising process.
Simplified CMS
After maintaining various websites to promote the foundation’s initiatives, one easy-to-use website reduced the time needed to update content.
Bold Design
Pairing the foundation’s robust library of photos with our vivid design elevated the look of the site and highlighted important campaign initiatives.
A progress bar and quick facts provides transparency into the campaign goals and fundraising efforts.
Providing an area for telling stories allows the foundation to connect with potential donors and inspire celebrating the things that make the donor and alumni community so great.
Leaning on the robust photo portfolio, we provided various opportunities to allow imagery to tell the story of the university and foundation
Sharing the Storied Legacy
Fundraising means more than money. It's the impact that dollars can make on students, faculty, and a community. We created a storytelling strategy that helped express where dollars were going and share in the excitement of the lives being changed. The goal was simple, to inspire new donors to want to make a difference. Sharing it through beautifully depicted stories is powerful.
"Being able to give the foundation a space that can help them reach their initiatives was incredibly rewarding. It not only serves the purpose of the campaign, but also brings people together in sharing stories. This site is the perfect combo of strategy and heart."
The SDSU Foundation's website serves the needs of the donors, the university, and the campaign. If you have bold goals for your business or brand, we can help.
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