Regional Engagement Resources
National Board members bring the heart and soul of campus beyond Baton Rouge, advancing LSU’s priorities by strengthening relationships between supporters and the university. Since the formation of the LSU Foundation National Board, the LSU Foundation has been able to connect LSU leaders and development officers with donors and prospective donors at 21 events in seven states, welcoming over 1,000 guests with whom LSU may not otherwise have been able to make an in-person connection.
Strategic National Board Regional Engagement Goals:
- Build influential networks in key regions.
- Discover new connections to regional alumni.
- Host strategic regional events for key donors.
Regional events are hosted in strategic markets for LSU: areas that have a particularly high density of potential for philanthropic partnerships. Decisions about where to host events are made with strategic consideration of donor support and potential support in a city, as well as related costs, allocation of staff resources for preparation and travel, and availability of university leadership. Often, National Board members have generously funded these regional events and/or hosted them on behalf of LSU.
Our typical model for regional events is to offer one or both of the following:
- Small group dinners and lunches include donors and prospective donors who have made or could make (or guide) transformational gifts to LSU. These intimate settings provide an opportunity for the university’s most generous donors and potential donors to connect with LSU leaders in a setting that is conducive to in-depth conversation about shared priorities.
- “All-call” receptions welcome a larger group of donors and prospective donors who live in or near the city. These guest lists are typically driven primarily by geographic area, with broad ranges of giving and potential giving represented. Such engagement-focused events offer guests in-person access to LSU leaders and a chance to meet fellow alumni and friends in their areas who are also interested in supporting the university.
National Board members who are open to supporting regional events can participate by:
- Hosting an event in their home or office
- Hosting an event in a space that is centrally located for accessibility by guests
- Participating in a host committee with fellow National Board members in your area
- Thanking event attendees and asking them to make a gift
When partnering with National Board members for regional events, we want to make the hosting experience as seamless as possible! We are prepared to handle all major aspects of regional events: planning, managing logistics and communications with guests, scheduling LSU leadership to participate, providing talking points for speakers, and attending the events for on-site support.
Regional events are a strategic effort centered on engaging donors and prospective donors to strengthen their connections to LSU. National Board members have an important role in the success of these events and their short- and long-term impact on LSU’s relationships with attendees. As part of this role, you may be asked to thank a donor for their support, but out of respect for donor privacy, we may not be able to share the gift amount or what is supported.
Additionally, your support is invaluable in terms of encouraging invited guests to participate. Following are two sample messages to consider if you are asked to assist in this way.
Version 1: Limited Details
As an LSU Foundation National Board member, I have the pleasure of making connections
with our regional alumni when LSU President William F. Tate IV and fellow LSU leaders
are traveling to [city]. The team has let me know they plan to visit our area [dates].
Are you available to join us for a small group lunch meeting or dinner event?
Version 2: Follow-up to an Event Invitation
As an LSU Foundation National Board member, I’m pleased to be hosting LSU President
William F. Tate IV and [LSU titles] for a dinner in [city] on [date] at [location].
You will receive an invitation via email soon, but I wanted to also reach out personally.
I hope you’ll be able to join our small group of Tigers that evening!
National Board members receive a supply of LSU-branded note cards and envelopes to use when sending handwritten notes to donors and prospective donors. Additional materials are available upon request.
When reaching out to potential attendees of regional events, it is impactful to include an inspirational, motivating note about LSU’s role and potential. Following are several impact statements that may help you to personalize your notes.