Donor Surveys

Unlocking Legacy Gifts Through Alumni Surveys: A Case Study with Rhode Island College Foundation

Survey Spotlight: How a Legacy Giving Survey Became a Game-Changer

For institutions looking to enhance their planned and major giving programs, data-driven outreach is key. Rhode Island College Foundation, known for its exceptional contributions to education, recently implemented an alumni legacy giving survey with remarkable success. This case study explores how a well-crafted email survey uncovered millions in future gifts while strengthening alumni engagement.

Client: Rhode Island College Foundation

Project: Alumni Legacy Giving Survey
Objective: Identify planned and major gift prospects while deepening alumni engagement

Challenge:

With a newly structured development and alumni relations team, Rhode Island College Foundation sought a strategic yet cost-effective way to reconnect with alumni and uncover planned giving opportunities. The college needed a scalable solution to engage past graduates and inspire future philanthropy.

Solution:

Jonathan Gudema, Esq., a philanthropic strategist at PlannedGiving.com, designed and executed a targeted alumni email survey to assess interest in legacy giving. The approach involved:

• Sending 3,000 personalized emails to alumni, expressing gratitude for their education and inviting them to consider legacy giving.
• Collecting survey responses to gauge alumni interest and their connection to the college.
• Implementing a structured outreach plan, including phone calls and Zoom meetings with engaged prospects.

Results:

The campaign delivered significant, measurable outcomes:

• 200+ completed surveys with alumni contact information.
• 60+ identified major gift and planned giving prospects.
• 16 confirmed legacy gifts.
• 10+ donor calls and Zoom meetings to strengthen relationships.
• Estimated future bequest commitments of $3.2 million, based on CASE data for higher education bequests.

Beyond the financial impact, the survey uncovered something even more powerful: a deep emotional connection between alumni and the college. Many expressed how their education transformed their lives, serving as a compelling motivator for giving.

Key Takeaways for Fundraisers:

• Strategic email surveys work. A simple, well-targeted survey can yield major fundraising results.
• Alumni engagement is crucial. Many alumni are eager to give back when approached in a meaningful way.
• Personal follow-ups increase conversions. Conversations via phone or Zoom deepen trust and commitment.
• Data-driven legacy marketing is a game-changer. A structured approach leads to sustainable donor relationships and future gifts.

Conclusion:

This campaign wasn’t just about securing planned gifts—it revitalized alumni connections and positioned the college for long-term fundraising success. By leveraging a simple yet powerful email survey, Rhode Island College Foundation unlocked millions in future gifts while laying the foundation for continued donor engagement.

Interested in using alumni surveys to elevate your institution’s fundraising success? Contact us at success@plannedgiving.com to explore how strategic outreach can drive planned and major gifts for your organization.