FUNDRAISING ORGANIZATION
10.a. Major Giving
A major gift is defined as a gift of $25,000 or more, that is either made outright or pledged.
10.b. Annual Leadership Giving
An annual leadership gift is an outright gift of $1,000 made on an annual basis with the goal of eventually becoming a major gift donor.
10.c. Annual Fund
The Annual Fund is the umbrella program for annual giving at Utah State University. It is the only program at Utah State that contacts alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and students every year. The Annual Fund focuses on building a sustainable, reliable base of non-legislative support for the University and its students. Gifts to the Annual Fund help all the University students by providing resources to support academic initiatives that are not funded through state allocations or tuition and student fees. The priority of the Annual Fund is to raise unrestricted funds for the University and the colleges; however, donors may designate their gifts to any college, department, or program of the University they choose. The Annual Fund also is a continuing source of information about the University to our constituents.
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Alumni Call Center for Engagement Phonathon
The Alumni Call Center for Engagement Phonathon program reaches out to alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of Utah State University. Alumni Call Center for Engagement is staffed entirely by university students who provide a firsthand perspective on the difference a gift can make and why the annual fund is crucial to the University's success. Alumni Call Center for Engagement is used to increase alumni participation and support as well as to keep our alumni and friends connected to the University.
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Senior Class Gift
The Student Alumni Association (SSA) invites all graduating seniors to leave their mark at USU for future Aggies by contributing to a purpose identified by SSA for the current year.
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Parent Fund
The Parent Fund solicits parents of currents students, former and current library staff and former donors to the parent fund to help create quality library services to benefit University students.
A parent can honor their student, a current/former professor, or someone important with a bookplate for a donation of a $75 or more.
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Young Alumni Giving
Young Alumni are defined as alumni and attendees aged 40 years and younger. The Young Alumni Giving Campaign supports the Student Emergency Hardship Fund, which provides scholarships to students facing circumstances that could prevent them from continuing their education.
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Direct Mail
Annual Fund direct mailings are sent throughout the academic year for various campaigns, targeting alumni, attendees, and friends of the university to encourage their support. Advancement may occasionally partner with third parties for solicitation efforts.
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Crowdfunding – AggieFunded
AggieFunded is the university's crowdfunding platform that enables student organizations and affinity groups to raise funds for new projects and initiatives, with goals not exceeding $10,000.
All project teams must first complete the Application to Raise Funds. Once approved, you can submit a Crowdfunding Application. There is an application checklist that must be completed prior to your project being approved by the student giving committee. Crowdfunding campaigns require a minimum of 4-6 weeks to plan and execute a successful campaign launch.
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“A” Day of Giving
“A” Day of Giving held for 1888 minutes during Homecoming Week is a special opportunity to celebrate Aggie pride and express gratitude for the impact USU has had on each of us.
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Employee Giving
Employees of USU play a crucial role through their service and participation in the USU Employee Giving Campaign, held each spring.
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Aggie License Plate
If you live in Utah, there is no better way to show your love for Utah State than with an A-Plate that supports our students. Every A-plate on the road helps make it possible for the Alumni Association to award student scholarships each year.
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Annual Fund Chargebacks
To cover some of the costs of administering the University Annual Fund program (e.g., student wages, calling software, and IT support) chargebacks will be assessed to colleges and departments based on a percentage of each cash gift (not pledged) raised through the Annual Fund, including those solicited through phonathon, mail, email, and personal solicitation.
Each department has chargeback Banner indexes for each of their accounts tracked in the Millennium database. A daily automated feed debits the department account and credits the Annual Fund account. In Banner, the description will say “Annual Fund Charge Axxxx.” The Axxxxx is the account where the gift was originally deposited.
- Chargebacks are currently set at a rate of 5% of the gift.
- Payroll deduction gifts are excluded from chargebacks.
- Crowdfunding gifts are excluded from chargebacks.
- Chargebacks for all student giving solicitations (including Senior Gift) are charged to the Class Gift account.
10.d. Group/Organization Fundraising
Group/Organization Fundraising is defined as any event where the student organization intends to raise additional funds through solicitation (funds and items), charging admission to a fundraising event, or selling products/services excluding collecting membership fees or dues. This includes fundraisers that may benefit the student organization, other charitable groups or an individual.
Only group/organizations that have been pre-approved by completing the Application to Raise Funds at least ten business days prior to the day of the fundraiser will be allowed to fundraise.
Applicants can expect a response via email within five business days of submitting a completed application. If the fundraiser has been approved, the response will include instructions pertinent to your fundraiser. If the fundraiser is not approved, the group/organization is not allowed to hold the fundraiser. Appeals to this decision must be directed to the Unit’s Development Officer and Financial Officer.
If applicable, the response will include instructions for coordinating with Event Services, the Student Center, University Marketing & Communication, Trademark Licensing, Cash Handling Training, and Business Services.
10.e. Unit Department Solicitation
Units, departments, and programs must coordinate all solicitations through their unit development officer and the Annual Fund. An updated mailing, emailing and/or phone list for your constituent solicitation must be used to ensure accurate data and applicable communication restrictions are applied. New lists can be requested at https://www.usu.edu/advancement/request/. All solicitations must be noted on the solicitation calendar to coordinate fundraising efforts and ensure alumni and friends are not over solicited.
10.f. Other Resources
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Solicitation Calendar
Solicitation details, such as the mailing date and the mailing audience will be submitted on the University Advancement Solicitation Calendar to coordinate fundraising efforts at the University and ensure that alumni and friends are not "over solicited."
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Solicitation Code for Tracking
Units can request a solicitation code that can be tied to their specific solicitation. When donations are processed, the gift is tagged with the same solicitation code to ensure accurate reporting on solicitation efforts.
10.g. 4-H Fundraising
4-H fundraising is defined as any event or activity where the 4-H club or affiliated 4-H organization intends to raise additional funds through solicitation (funds and/or items), charging admission to a fundraising event, soliciting sponsorships for a 4-H event, or selling products or services. This excludes collecting 4-H club fees or dues that are collected and spent for club operations and are de minimis in nature. This includes fundraisers that may benefit the 4-H club or other affiliated 4-H organizations, other charitable groups, or an individual.
Only 4-H Clubs or affiliated 4-H organizations that have been pre-approved by completing the Application to Raise Funds through the USU Advancement Office, at least ten days before the day of the fundraiser, will be allowed to fundraise. Each 4-H Club or affiliated 4-H organization is encouraged to hold one yearly fundraiser. If the fundraiser is ongoing or happening more than once in the school year and you are charging admission or selling items, you will be required to collect sales tax on the sales of all goods and services. Contact your Financial Officer for directions on how this should be done.
4-H fundraising is divided into two classifications 1. Charitable Fundraising and 2. Non-Charitable Fundraising. The Application to Raise Funds process will determine the classification for your fundraiser. Applications must be completed and approved for each fundraiser, unless the event is for the same fundraiser that happens on a regular basis. For example, if the 4-H club plans to sell items every Tuesday at a table outside the arena at the fairgrounds, only one application is necessary. For multi-day fundraising, the 4-H club or organization will need to supply an end date.