Harvey Mudd College’s Pi Day of Giving campaign is an annual campus community fundraising initiative surrounding Pi Day (March 14). The campaign engages Harvey Mudd alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends to harness the power of philanthropy in launching student futures and propelling innovation at one of the country’s leading STEM colleges. Gifts from the campaign bolster the college’s annual fund, which supports the operating budget and enables the college to address unexpected challenges, foster opportunities, and pursue its mission of educating future engineers, scientists, and mathematicians. About 6% of Harvey Mudd’s annual operating budget is supported by the annual fund. The 2024 Pi Day of Giving Campaign launched following the inauguration of Harvey Mudd’s sixth president, Harriet B. Nembhard, on March 1 and concluded on Pi Day, March 14. Through strategic messaging leading up to and on Pi Day (March 14), Harvey Mudd College constituents were engaged to give and/or advocate for the Pi Day of Giving Campaign to meet the campaign goals: increase engagement, recruit 500 donors, and raise more than $145,000. Collaboration between the annual giving team and communications and marketing was key to the campaign's success. The collaboration also included math faculty members, staff, and President Harriet B. Nembhard. Donor participation (388 in 2023; 534 in 2024) and dollars raised were exceeded ($144,196 in 2023; $285,034 in 2024).
From the Judges
Harvey Mudd College smartly tied their giving day to Pi Day, a perfect fit for their STEM focus, with themes like "Launching Futures" and "Propelling Innovation." The campaign included 42 communications, incentives like "pie a professor," and strong segmentation. Donor dollars nearly doubled, showing that the strategic timing and alignment with school culture successfully boosted giving and engagement.
