The 1870 Club Exclusive Event Series is designed for donors contributing $1,870 or more annually to any fund at Colorado State University (CSU). These exclusive events offer an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at the university, providing donors with access to institutional leaders and recipients of their philanthropy. In 2024, the series featured events focused on key areas of the university, including the Lory Student Center, CSU's unique partnership with the Colorado Rockies baseball team, and our cutting-edge engineering research center; we also held a watch party for a post-season football bowl game. These events were crafted to highlight the direct impact of donor support and offer attendees a personal connection to the transformative work being done at CSU. The series has been a resounding success, with guest attendance steadily increasing and feedback overwhelmingly positive. More than 90% of attendees report that the events "strongly" strengthened their connection to CSU. Many donors, while already supporting various programs, discovered new areas of the university through these events, leading to additional contributions to previously underfunded initiatives. By offering these intimate experiences, the 1870 Club Exclusive Event Series deepens donor engagement, leading to broader support for a range of institutional priorities. This initiative serves as a powerful tool for building lasting relationships with leadership annual donors, fostering a deeper sense of commitment, and expanding the impact of philanthropy across CSU.
From the Judges
Judges shared, it was quite impressive and clever to use these events to frontload future donation initiatives.
