The Campus Community Campaign has just come to a close after two weeks of fundraising in the hopes of receiving private funding for Longwood.
The campaign previously known as the Faculty and Staff Campaign has just this year opened up to receive donations from students in the hopes of motivating students who are currently at Longwood to get more involved rather than just alumni.
In addition to trying to increase donations by adding students, the campaign has extended their donation period from one week in years past to two weeks.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to donate at any time during the year, which many choose to do through payroll deductions.
Katherine Bulifant, the director of Campus Philanthropy as well as a Longwood alum, has been in charge of the campaign for two years. Bulifant has used strategies which have been successful in the past and has hoped to add a stronger marketing aspect to it.
In this year’s campaign, there have been marketing strategies which included using signs displaying philanthropy statistics for students to easily read to and from class, as well as ‘Philanthropy Matters’ banners and bows on the inside and outside of buildings. Private funding is used towards buildings, in particular Brock Commons, which Bulifant stated “…would not be possible without private funding.”
“(The banners are) to show students buildings wouldn’t be here without private funding,” said Bulifant.
The main strategy in raising funds by students was to appeal to the senior class, which is currently fundraising for their senior class gift. In addition to the senior class, the campaign has reached out to the deans of colleges at Longwood to bring attention to all students.
Dr. Tim Pierson, the vice president for Student Affairs, sent out a mass email to all Longwood students asking for a donation of $5 and explained the impact which it could make for the university.
“We want everyone to feel like they are included in this,” added Bulifant.
In this year’s campaign, an alum has offered to match minimums of $5 donations from students in the effort to entice more students to donate. Ways to donate include by cash, check, or credit card.
“We understand that students are cash-strapped and have needs to pay for, therefore we are not soliciting for large gifts from students,” said Amy Harris, the director of University Engagement.
Bulifant added that many staff and faculty members have approached her with positive feedback about the statistics printed on the signs placed around campus.
“(We want to) help educate students about philanthropy and giving back to Longwood, their alma mater,” said Harris.
Last Thursday, February 26, some students wore blue ribbons to signify that they have benefited from private funding through a scholarship and wouldn’t be attending Longwood without the donation.
Students were able to sign a banner last week to thank donors, as well as thank you notes to specific donors.
“(We want students to) show you believe in Longwood and the mission we move forward everyday with, and you are willing to garnish the philanthropic support for Longwood,” said Harris.
On Thursday, March 3, Longwood will be hosting a ‘Love Your Longwood,’ day which is a social media audience-wide day to donate. This particular strategy is aimed at students, who have not participated in the campaign yet. This day will also be in association with the Campus Community Campaign and will go towards not only the senior class gift but towards participation for each class in the campaign statistics as well.
