BRICKS, BRICKS, AND MORE BRICKS!

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CONTRIBUTOR

Name of Contributor: Leigh Tompros
Member Organization: Redcoat Band Alumni Association (UGA)
Email: (Contact Your NAoAB Regional Officer)
Background: Past President of the Redcoat Band Alumni Association

INTRODUCTION TO ISSUE

Engaging our members in a new fundraising event

THE CHALLENGES

• This campaign needs to excite all ages for maximum success
• Choose a campaign towards which our members could make a donation and view the results
• Choose a campaign that is easy to understand and can catch attention at first glance.
• Create an effective online campaign to minimize handling mail
• Set a limited time for this campaign surrounding one Homecoming event
• Define the number of “limited edition” items available for donations

THE OPTION TAKEN AND REASONS WHY

• We decided to have a Brick campaign. This would give our members the opportunity to donate to our fund, and in return they could have a brick engraved at the walkway at the Redcoat Practice field.
• We were fortunate to already have a number of available blank bricks that were part of an earlier brick campaign. They were integrated within the already existing brick walkway.  We found someone that could engrave them in place.
• In our opinion, it is Very Important that a donor is able to visually see results of their donation. It is a source a pride to be able to have your name on something that has meaningful.

THE RESULTS

We were able to get donors for everyone of our bricks!

THE COST INVOLVED

The cost to have each brick engraved onsite from this vendor was $50.  The donation per brick was $150,   a nice sum realized by the organization! If these brick had not already been installed, the return would not have been as sweet.  The Board voted to take advantage of this opportunity to receive donations by enhancing an already existing walkway with minimal expense by the Board.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THIS OPTION TO OTHERS

• In a Heartbeat! This was a very successful campaign. When we all gathered for Homecoming that year, the first thing so many of our fellow alumni wanted to do was to see their engraved bricks at the Redcoat Practice Field!
• In addition to being a lovely way to add one’s name to our Field Walkway, serve as a memorial to someone’s passing and a remembrance of many anniversaries and milestone dates.

LESSONS LEARNED

• Fortunately, our campaign worked out as planned.
• As with any physical plant project, the university’s architectural design organization needed to approve any installation on campus.

WHY THIS TOPIC IS OF INTEREST FOR A VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE

• Fundraising is Always a vital topic!
• In light of the pandemic situation, this type of fundraiser can be a very effective, socially distanced event that can bring donations for your organization. 
• Although time was devoted to this project, it was not overbearing since 95% was done online, at home. There were two onsite meetings…which I was delighted to do. I never miss an opportunity to visit our REDCOAT FIELD!