The Cornell Annual Funds rely upon a wide range of communication channels to solicit support from alumni: student phoning, emails, traditional mailings, text messages, etc. As a volunteer, your role in this is critical to our success. While your assignments will receive hard copy mass solicitations and email messages, you are the only personal outreach your assignment will have this year.

Paper Mailings

Alumni will receive a series of coordinated solicitations throughout the year. We will provide you with the appeals so you can reference them in your own communication, as appropriate.

Email Messages

ln addition to university-based emails, alumni will receive email solicitations from volunteer leaders.

Class-Based

Alumni will receive email communications from their reunion campaign committee chairs during an active reunion. Alumni who are not currently celebrating their reunion will receive emails from their class annual fund representative. The goal is to encourage classmates to participate in giving back every year in order to maintain class momentum between reunion years.

Chair Messaging

Committee chairs will send solicitation and stewardship messaging to their respective constituencies throughout the year. They will lay out the university’s fundraising needs and priorities, which volunteers can reference in their subsequent outreach. They will also
announce committee goals and follow up with progress reports on the collective impact of gifts-to-date. In general, chairs work to build excitement among their constituency for keeping Cornell’s legacy alive and well for future generations of Cornellians through increased support, and to steward the donors.

Texting Campaigns

Cornell now uses text messaging to connect with alumni on a large scale. Designated audiences receive texts throughout the year, which offer updates on items of interest at Cornell, digital engagement opportunities, and gift solicitations.