It Takes a Village: How Collaboration Fuels the Success of UW Giving Day

 

Here, UW Giving Day is more than just a 24-hour fundraising campaign—it's a campus-wide celebration of Cowboy spirit and generosity. Behind the scenes, it takes the dedicated efforts of every department, campus partner, and passionate advocate to make this day of giving truly successful. From the UW Alumni Association to student ambassadors, each team plays a critical role in rallying support. The power of collaboration ensures that UW Giving Day not only meets its goals but sets the standard for what a unified campus can achieve together.

 

“UW Giving Day encapsulates the best efforts of UW students, faculty, and donors, all coming together in just 24 hours. If you want to witness the positive impact these groups have on both the university and the state of Wyoming, this event is the perfect starting point.”

– Philip Treick, UW Foundation Chief Investment Officer

 

Over the past ten years, the University of Wyoming has distinguished itself as a leader among higher education institutions when it comes to our Giving Day success. The UW Foundation has spearheaded the event through a combination of innovative strategies, cross-campus collaboration, and a deep connection to our alumni and supporters.

The numbers speak for themselves. Last year, the Giving Day totals of three of our athletic rival universities amounted to $370,398, $258,276, and $409,273. Add these numbers together. Triple it. It still wouldn’t surpass what the University of Wyoming raised in 2023. In just 24 hours, UW Giving Day brought in an astounding $3,605,192 from 8,978 donors—a clear demonstration of the power and passion of the UW family.

Our remarkable success didn’t happen overnight—it’s been the culmination of a decade of dedication, strategic planning, and collaboration across every corner of campus. Over the past ten years, departments, colleges, and university partners have worked tirelessly to cultivate relationships.

The participation of campus units across the University of Wyoming is vital to this success. These campus partners bring UW Giving Day to life by highlighting the unique needs and opportunities within their areas, creating personalized campaigns that resonate with alumni, parents, and friends. Their collaborative efforts help showcase the diverse impact of donor contributions, whether it's funding scholarships, enhancing research, or improving campus life. Without the enthusiastic participation and creativity of these campus partners, UW Giving Day would not reach the heights of success that it consistently achieves.

At the heart of UW Giving Day’s leadership is the UW Foundation’s Annual Giving team, whose focus in driving participation and ensuring that every donor feels empowered to contribute has made all the difference.

 

 

“Every area of campus comes together to make this day a success for the university. It’s incredible to watch. Thank you to everyone who believes in being a part of something bigger than themselves and supporting UW on Giving Day.”

- Clancee Rea, director of Annual Giving and the Donor Experience Program

 

Through targeted outreach, creative challenges, and engaging communications, the Annual Giving team works throughout the year to build excitement and broaden the base of support across alumni, students, faculty, and friends of UW.

Under Clancee’s leadership, the Donor Experience Program has also elevated the success of UW Giving Day by building personalized connections with donors. Through one-on-one engagement and tailored outreach, Donor Experience Officers ensure that every donor feels appreciated and informed about how their gifts make a difference.

The UW Foundation’s Donor Relations team also plays a pivotal role. Their ongoing efforts ensure that every donor feels valued and connected to the impact of their gift.

 

 

“I love UW Giving Day because it reminds us of the good in humanity and it showcases how truly amazing UW’s donors are. It’s so inspiring how our donors selflessly and passionately support UW on Giving Day. They really are the best and we are truly honored by their support!” 

- Kristin Morrison, Director of Donor Relations

 

Accurate data are the lifeblood of any giving campaign. The Data Integrity and Information Services teams maintains the quality and security of donor information.

For the Data Integrity team, Giving Day starts at the beginning of August every year, says Senior Constituent Data Analyst Jessica Stugart. “We meet with Campus Partners and update or build their Giving Day contact lists in our database, finding an easy way for our partners to pull that information on a data request. In October, the Big Day comes! For the DI team, it is the largest influx of useable clean data. We work for weeks after Giving Day to make sure that clean data is entered correctly in our system.”

Through seamless data management and reporting, these teams create a solid foundation for campus campaigns, enabling other departments to focus on engaging donors and celebrating the impact of UW Giving Day.

 

 

“I think there is a real sense of camaraderie on Giving Day—we all really come together toward this one goal. I love the impact on UW Giving Day. It feels like we are really making difference for the university, especially for smaller departments and units.”

- Lisa Owen, Senior Computer Support Specialist

 

In addition, the unwavering support of the University of Wyoming’s Board of Trustees, UW President Ed Seidel, and the UW Foundation Board of Directors ensures the continued success of UW Giving Day. By actively participating in the event, providing matching gift opportunities, and championing the importance of giving, these leaders inspire giving at every level.

But the most important part of UW Giving Day—the true driving force behind every achievement—is our donors. Your generosity and belief in the University of Wyoming’s mission make all the difference, enabling us to provide transformative experiences for students, enhance academic programs, and shape the future of our institution. Whether you’re a first-time donor or a long-standing supporter, each gift is a powerful expression of commitment to UW and its community. It is the collective impact of these gifts that turns a vision into reality. Simply put, UW Giving Day would not be possible without the incredible dedication of our donors, and for that, we are forever grateful.

 

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UW Giving Day 2024

October 23-24, Noon to Noon