In Admissions, we’re used to sending emails instead of direct mail and holding online open houses instead of always doing in-person events. All in the omnipresent pursuit of doing more with smaller budgets.
Now, Binghamton University is applying that same practice to its new capital campaign. Their thinking: why spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a huge event when everything can be done online?

The campaign, dubbed “Bold. Brilliant. Binghamton.” is a risky move. The plan is to engage younger alumni (who are more active online users) in a virtual kick-off event aimed at raising funds for the university. However, while there will be a smaller in-person event for the biggest (and presumably older) donors, there won’t be the traditional pom and circumstance of a normal capital campaign launch event.

Will the lack of tradition equal a lack of giving? Or, will the cost savings and new format save the university major money and also engage an entirely new audience?

If you want to check it out, here is the site:
http://boldbrilliant.com/