From the Nominator

Camp Ram Horn was an adult summer camp-themed stewardship event to honor members of the President’s Club at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). The President’s Club is an annual giving society for donors who give $5,000 or more in one year. With creative invitations, we invited donors to attend the event at Virginia’s largest craft brewery, Hardywood Park. Collaborating with five schools/colleges/units and four alumni-led or -owned businesses, we hosted 125 donors at the event. It was a more lighthearted, joyful, activity-heavy event than the usual reception or sit-down dinner. This event had nine different summer camp-influenced entertainment and activity options. The unique theme was a nod to the uniqueness of the VCU, which recently launched its Uncommon brand platform--a campaign emphasizing the many qualities that make VCU distinctive and “unstoppable.” The result can be summarized in the following feedback from our past alumni council president and donor: “This was an uncommonly good celebration and had so much variety, that the appeal was across the board …from good talks about physical therapy advances to painting the only way I know how to 1970s-resurrecting tote bag screening…. It was a cool, divergent change of pace from even the best chicken and peas and speakers in an auditorium." Within 90 days of the event, $6.2 million was raised from attendees. One event attendee said, “Camp Ram Horn gave me a taste of the broader story [at VCU].” That donor gave a multimillion dollar gift.

From the Judges

This initiative presents a captivating approach to nurturing and engaging top donors, while showcasing the tangible impact of philanthropy. A wonderful example for other institutions on how to showcase and demonstrate to donors the value and impact of their philanthropy. We loved the on-campus connection to alumni to bring back their student memories/experiences!