From the Nominator

In August 2025, the University of La Verne launched a series of monthly communications called “Because of You….” Each month, a different university leader writes a letter to thank donors and share how donations are making an impact from their perspective. Each letter is just 350 to 500 words and includes the phrase “because of you” somewhere in the message. Letters are sent by email on the third Thursday of every month, as well as by mail every other month (August, October, December...), when a more senior or key university leader is the author. The letters are sent to all individuals who made a gift in the current or prior fiscal year, as well as those who have an established endowment or planned gift (about 1,000 total people). Letters are also posted online. These letters replace the traditional, magazine-like annual report, which had little to no measurable impact; so with the same budget we are turning one touchpoint into twelve touchpoints. The content is spread across the year, making it more digestible, and the anecdotal feedback and engagement from each letter has exceeded that of previous annual reports. By giving donors this monthly insider perspective on the university, the “Because of You…” series brings their generosity to life, communicates our profound gratitude, and affirms the essential role donors play in our university. By sharing how donors’ philanthropy makes an impact, these letters have inspired donors to give again without us even asking them to do so.

From the Judges

So many features make this project stand out—storing all the letters on a tailored webpage for ease of access, surveying donors to ensure the format still resonates, enhancing communications throughout the year instead of one annual report, great open rates and donor response; and what clinched it was involving colleagues from other parts of the institution in the effort. Well done, team!