Social media might have become the name of the game when it comes to student recruitment and alumni relations, but what about fundraising?
According to the CASE survey conducted by mStoner and Slover Linett Strategies in June 2010, only 31% of the respondents consider that raising private funds is one of the goals of their social media initiatives. Unsurprinsingly, only 18% of the respondents use donations as a way to evaluate their social media programs.
Many non-profit organizations have reported great success raising funds on Facebook and Twitter. More recently, I witnessed the power of social media when Andrew Careaga invited the higher ed community to help the family of one of his colleagues whose daughter had serious health issues. In a week, more than $1,600 were raised from people who knew the family or Andrew, but also from friends of friends of friends.
Because raising funds involves engaging donors, social media seems to be a perfect tool for the job.
So, why not find out if it is in higher education and help a colleague with her research at the same time?
Susanne Rockwell, Web Editor for University Communications at UC Davis, is currently working on a study for the Society for New Communication Research about social media and fundraising in higher education. The study is composed of an online survey and some follow-up interviews about interesting case studies. Susanne plans to write a paper on best practices and barriers.
It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete the survey, but you’ll get the paper if you do.
So, please take the time to fill out this survey before December 15, 2010.
Want to learn more about the study?
You can read more about it online.