From the Nominator

Building on our annual tradition of meaningful stewardship, University of California, Davis Annual and Special Gifts Program collaborated with Donor Relations and Marketing Communications to develop a unique, donor-centered piece that expressed gratitude while celebrating the diverse flavors of UC Davis. Instead of a generic UC Davis branded tchotchke, we created custom recipe cards that featured dishes inspired by different areas of campus. Ranked number one in the country for agriculture, UC Davis is renowned for food and beverage sciences, so these cards also emphasize that aspect of our university brand. Each of the 10,500 stewardship packages contained a set of three recipe cards, a custom-designed holder, and a heartfelt thank you message. The project was a collaboration between Sierra Ronning (Annual and Special Gifts External Relations and Communications Specialist), Hannah Wong (Marketing and Communications Graphic Designer), and Serena Metcalf (Donor Relations Communications Manager), with print production by Repro Graphics. This innovative stewardship project also extended beyond print, reaching an even wider audience through Instagram Reels cooking demonstrations of the recipes we sent out. By combining creativity, personalization, and digital engagement, we crafted a stewardship effort that not only delighted donors but also reinforced their integral role in UC Davis’s recipe for success.

From the Judges

A clever and creative gift idea that perfectly reflects the character of the university and its campus. The practical donor gift was both memorable and sustainable, sparking increased giving and wide social media engagement. By tying the concept to food and beverage sciences and creatively reusing content, this initiative showcased the institution’s personality in a fresh and impactful way.