Meredith College has created a new fundraising effort that hopes to build on the popularity of the NCAA basketball “March Madness” bracket competition and raise money for The Meredith Fund.

 

Dubbed “Meredith Mayhem,” the fundraiser began on February 21, and will run through the first week of April. Sixty-four different Meredith classes are ranked based on their giving participation between July 2010 and February 2011. For example, the class of 1952, which saw more than 27.2 percent of alumnae donate to the institution during that time period, began with a higher seed than the class of 2010, which saw a 5.4 percent participation rate during that same time period.

 

To win, classes must have a higher percentage of participation than the other class that week. The winner advances to the next round until a tournament winner is named on April 4. The donors from the winning class will receive a dinner with Meredith’s next president. Included will also be an hour-long social prior to dinner for all contributors. Weekly prizes for “Coach of the Week” and “Player of the Week,” are also being awarded.

 

The goal of “Meredith Mayhem” is to engage the spirit of class competition to increase Meredith’s alumnae giving percentages. The national average for college giving is 23 percent. Last year, 17 percent of Meredith alumnae gave back to the institution.

 

“We are looking to connect with alumnae that might not have considered donating before,” said Lennie Barton, vice president of institutional advancement. “We like this idea because it helps to build unity among graduation classes,” said Barton. “Alumnae can tell their friends about it and get others involved.”

 

The early stages of “Meredith Mayhem” show that the effort is working. In the first week, the College received 187 gifts totaling more than $14,000.

 

Department of Marketing worked with the Office of The Meredith Fund to create “Meredith Mayhem.” Marketing staff created the “Meredith Mayhem” web page, developed the technology that supports the online bracket, and helped promote the competition through avenues such as Facebook and Twitter.

 

Click http://www.meredith.edu/giving/meredith-fund/bracket-competition.htm here to view the “Meredith Mayhem” bracket.

 

While there isn’t a “Meredith Mayhem” bracket for faculty and staff, Meredith employees can support The Meredith Fund by participating in the Meredith Faculty and Staff Initiative. Join your colleagues and answer the call to Be One in a Million by visiting www.meredith.edu/giving/meredith-fund/faculty-staff.htm.

In this Issue:

Hartford BCBS Lecture

Commencement Speaker Announced

Summer Reading Book Announced

Student Participates  from Scotland in Reach the World Program

Meredith Mayhem Competition Generates Meredith Fund Gifts
From the President’s Desk
Faculty/Staff Accomplishments
Upcoming Events
News Briefs

 

Have you presented research or attended a professional meeting recently? Has your department earned an award? Share news of these accomplishments and more with the Meredith community. Faculty and staff are invited to email items to Melyssa Allen, “Campus Connections” editor, at allenme@meredith.edu.