The Moment was born of a certain nagging awareness: Donor newsletters are often a little dull. On top of that, reading habits have shifted dramatically in recent years. Audiences are overwhelmed with content on a daily basis; the need to deliver fresh, non-formulaic stories has never been clearer. The broader goals of The Moment, a bimonthly Stanford Office of Development email newsletter, are familiar: to inspire philanthropic support, keep our closest donors and volunteers engaged, and highlight the university’s positive impact in the world. What sets it apart is a distinct voice and mix of narrative journalism, vivid profile writing, short-but-powerful videos, and captivating photo essays—here a deep dive into cutting-edge virus research, there a psychiatrist and faith leader seeking to stem a mental health crisis within the American Muslim community.
From the Judges
"The Moment was born of a certain nagging awareness: Donor newsletters are often a little dull." Understatement of the year! I love how this e-newsletter turned dull donor communications on its head. Fresh, interesting stories told with a real human voice that is on-brand, yet conversational and sometimes even funny and irreverent. Design and photography is also great!
