1869 Challenge Volunteer Toolkit
Become a part of the Streak!
Did you know that a group of Tigers is called a streak?! Use this toolkit as a way to join the streak. Below you will find graphics and a promotion guide for supporting Trinity's 1869 Challenge. Donors are more likely to give when hearing from someone they know so let us help you spread the word. Use the templates to build emails and social posts that you can personalize, and follow our suggested schedules to make sure your outreach has the biggest impact possible.
How can alumni communicate with other alumni? How can YOU as an alum inspire your fellow tigers to give?
Communicate through active and engaging media
Be authentic
Call on collective memory
Be funny!
Video is king!
Selfie videos are authentic ways to share your voice and ask others to share theirs
Short is sweet! Whether words or video, less is more. Keep posts under 250 characters and videos under 45 seconds.
Be a voice for alumni AND students
The 1869 Challenge supports students! This is the core. Everything we do directly supports Trinity students today. What did that support mean to you? Your friends? Your teammates and classmates? Don’t forget to “remember your own time at Trinity” to inspire and encourage others to do the same.
Don’t forget to use the hashtag #1869Challenge and tag Trinity University. If your account is public, your post may be shared on our pages, too!
UP FOR A CHALLENGE?
The top Tiger with the most number of donors will be awarded with $500 to designate to the Trinity area of their choice!
How do I participate?
If you haven't already, sign up as a volunteer to get started. Your unique referral link will be sent to you once you have signed up.
When you ask people to give or post about the 1869 Challenge on social media, use your referral link.
Tag team with friends and ask them to use your referral link. Combined efforts help, and it isn’t considered cheating!
EMAIL OUTREACH TIPS
Write your emails with language geared towards your unique audience
You talk to your family and friends differently than you do to strangers. Your email should mirror this.
Keep it conversational
Don’t worry about using formal language. Write with a relaxed, natural voice, just like you’d use for speaking. And keep exclamation points to a minimum.
This is personal
Show your recipient why this cause matters to both of you, and how gifts will make a direct impact. You should use the second person voice - just like we’re doing in this document and in the email templates provided below.
Get to the point
Keep your language tight and direct.
Keep up the pressure
Time your series of emails to stay connected to your network, and give them a push in the right direction - at the right times. Here’s how to follow our timeline:
EMAIL OUTREACH EXAMPLES
Email #1 (Week before)
Subject Line: Join the Streak!
Trinity friends,
The 1869 Challenge is my chance to support all Tigers on every step of their Trinity journeys.
A group of Tigers is called a streak. And our streak is moving to support [org or area(s) of interest]. Together, we can help them to have an incredible experience all the way through graduation.
For 1,869 minutes this September 27-28, we’re all given the same chance to give back to our students, as One Trinity. Some of us are giving to athletics, music, academic departments, and student organizations, but regardless of your passion or the size of your gift, your support makes these 1,869 minutes count.
I’ve even gotten a head start and given to [org or area(s) of interest]. Join me either now, or September 27-28 by giving at (INSERT use your unique giving code to participate in the challenge)
Trinity wants the best and brightest—let’s keep our streak going!
[Your Name]
Email #2 (1-2 day(s) before)
Subject Line: Our streak is on the line!
Hi [name],
The 1869 Challenge is (X days away or today) and this is your best chance to make an immediate impact for Trinity students. Last year, we raised more than $XXX,000 for student scholarships, academic programs, athletics, student organizations, and more.
A group of Tigers is called a streak, and that’s how we are going to make a difference for our Tigers: together. Right now, help make the most of these 1,869 minutes through a gift of any amount (September 27-28).
I’m giving back to students. Join me at (INSERT use your unique giving code to participate in the challenge).
Together, let’s keep the streak going.
[Your Name]
Email #3 (End of day 1 or early morning on day 2)
Subject Line: This is almost done!
[name],
We’re only (X time left) away from the close of the 1869 Challenge. But we’re on a serious streak, and we want to keep it going!
Your gift, of any amount, is going to make an incredible difference for students who rely on opportunities provided by scholarships, athletics, academic departments, or more. Help strengthen their Trinity journey, and join our streak of Trinity tigers. Give back at (INSERT use your unique giving code to participate in the challenge).
[Your Name]
Email #4 (Early evening on day 2)
Subject line: Bring it home!
We’re almost there!
Only [XX minutes] left. This is our time to unite as One Trinity and make a difference for students. Let’s bring it home for our Tigers: (INSERT use your unique giving code to participate in the challenge).
[Your Name]
SOCIAL MEDIA ICON
SOCIAL MEDIA/TEXT MESSAGE OUTREACH EXAMPLES
PRE-EVENT
Now until September 27
Trinity’s #1869Challenge starts in [time/days]. I’m a Trinity [affiliation: parent, student, alumni, etc.], and I’m supporting [org and area(s) of interest: org, dept, group]. A group of tigers is called a streak. Join our streak of Tigers at gotu.us/challenge.
As a Trinity [affiliation], the 1869 Challenge is our chance to support [area(s) of interest]. Many of our best and brightest students rely on [scholarships, academic departments, athletics], and more. Join this streak of Tigers by pitching in at gotu.us/challenge.
As a member of [org], the 1869 Challenge is our chance to support [goals of group]. Students rely on [functions of group] at every phase of their Trinity journeys. Join the Tiger streak by pitching in at gotu.us/challenge.
DURING THE 1869 CHALLENGE
Wednesday, September 27 @ 1 p.m. CDT - Thursday, September 28 @ 8:09 CDT
Trinity’s #1869Challenge is here! Join our streak of Tigers and make a difference for Trinity students by making a gift at gotu.us/challenge.
We’re on a streak here at Trinity! This is our #1869Challenge: to strengthen every student’s Trinity experience. Make a gift at gotu.us/challenge.
As a Trinity [affiliation], I give to the [org or area(s) of interest]. Want to help? Join our streak of Tigers and make your gift at gotu.us/challenge #1869Challenge
URGENCY
Only __ hours left. We’re uniting as One Trinity to support all Tigers in every step of their Trinity journeys. Accept the challenge at gotu.us/challenge.
Only __ hours left. Let’s unite as One Trinity to make a difference for students in [org/area of support]. Help them cross the finish line at gotu.us/challenge.