In an effort to enhance the donor experience and foster recognition of our generous donors whose gifts secure opportunities for the Corps of Cadets, the VMI Foundation and Keydet Club will be revising their stewardship programs effective July 1, 2023.
An all-encompassing effort, the stewardship revisions will affect not only annual giving to the Foundation Fund and the Keydet Club, but also bring enhanced visibility and opportunities to donors and give them access to a deeper connection with the Institute, both in terms of academics and athletics.
While many alumni may be familiar with particular stewardship rewards, such as preferential seating at football and basketball games, the new initiatives will revamp the approach to such benefits so that both academic and athletic donors have opportunities to engage more deeply with all that’s happening on post.
“These [donor recognition programs] are a connected platform and a path that many alumni travel,” said Meade King ’85, VMI Foundation chief operating officer. “Each of us is encouraged to travel this path.”
The goals of the new stewardship efforts are fourfold: First, to engage donors more deeply in VMI’s mission; second, to elevate VMI in the minds and priorities of the VMI family; third, to create well-informed advocates for VMI and the Corps of Cadets; and fourth, lead to continued and increased giving for Institute priorities.
“We seek to enhance engagement, participation, and philanthropy,” said King. Better stewardship of donors, he believes, will increase engagement by all members of the VMI family.
“Our Institute Society and Keydet Club annual giving programs are important to the overall success of our annual giving fundraising efforts, and we’re excited to roll out a new platform starting July 1,” said Andrew Deal ’12, VMI Keydet Club chief operating officer.
Details about the new stewardship program will be announced in the summer.
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Mary Price Development Writer/Communications Specialist
The development writer plays a key role in producing advancement communications. This role imagines, creates, and produces a variety of written communication to inspire donors to make gifts benefiting VMI. Utilizing journalistic features and storytelling, the development writer will produce content for areas such as Annual Giving, stewardship, and gift planning.
