This session explains how the Annual Giving team at The University of Queensland leveraged the efforts of their peers to challenge an operational standard, creating an outcome that has defied historic forecasting models for the better.

Over the last few years, UQ's alumni engagement team transformed the alumni experience through introducing unique benefits and attractive opportunities. Today, the team boasts a diverse engagement program that has spiked the interests of the population at record breaking numbers, often times with events selling out within minutes of going live.

How did UQ's Annual Giving team harness this interest to acquire new donors?

Through an integrated and innovative approach, the Annual Giving team made a shift in their operations after uncovering promising indicators from their 2022 Telephone Engagement Campaign. The team launched the New Grad Pilot program to support fundraising and engagement initiatives using data-backed strategies. Aiming to strategically and proactively celebrate and welcome new alumni to the community, this dual point focus allowed the team to explore alternative solutions on a small population before committing to a large-scale initiative.

The results? Remarkable. The New Grad Pilot tripled non-donor contact rates and and nearly doubled non-donor participation – all while gathering purposeful data that will benefit our entire department with valuable insights for years to come.

Key Takeaways:
• Implement innovative solutions to increase fundraising potential with younger populations, inspired by UQ's New Grad Pilot program.
• Recognize the strategic significance of data collection and management for personalised outreach and effective donor cultivation.
• Identify opportunities to leverage integrated advancement teams for fundraising and engagement.