The task set before Sarah Swain (’05) as the new director of annual giving in 2013 was a tall one — improve on Campbell’s already impressive percentage of employees who give back to the university.
With over two months left in the 2014 campaign, Campbell has already hit the 61 percent mark and is well on its way to the goal of 80 percent. To compare this feat with other schools — Brigham Young University was the recipient of the Council on Advancement and Secondary Education’s “Circle of Excellence” award in 2010 for its employee giving campaign, which saw a jump in staff participation from 67 to 72 percent that year.
Some universities have trouble hitting the 25 percent mark. Others, meanwhile, have 100 percent participation.
That’s the ultimate goal for Swain, who has rewarded employees and departments who’ve given so far with ice cream parties and small gifts of appreciation. Employees who turned in their payroll deduction forms before March 12 received thermos mugs that be their tickets for free coffee or cappuccinos on campus next week — an initiative Swain calls “Thanks a Latte.”
“We’ve had great feedback from our employees about why they feel this campaign is so important and why they support Campbell,” Swain said. “Whether contributing to an annual fund or a scholarship, every dollar contributed is helping to keep the cost of education as low as possible and that’s an invaluable gift to our students.”
In 2013, university employees gave a total of $239,182. The total is important, because that money goes into the annual fund and is used to pay for various projects or programs throughout the university. Employees also have an option of hand-picking which programs will benefit from their donations.
Just as important, according to Swain, is the percentage of employees who give, whether it’s a regular deduction from their paycheck or a one-time gift of any dollar amount. Having a high percentage of employees who give back helps Campbell well beyond the actual dollar figure raised.
“Knowing that the employees of Campbell support and believe in our mission and the future of the school, reassures our external donors as well as foundations and corporations of the value Campbell has to offer as an investment in higher education,” Swain said.
Employees who give by April 18 will be eligible for the campus-wide “Thank You” luncheon on May 1. Employees will still have until May 31 (the end of the fiscal year) for their gifts to count toward this year’s campaign, Swain said. on my bucket list.
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