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  1. The assumption here is that alumni actually LIKE the school, believe in its values and think that the school did a good job with them. In fact, a lot of alumni from my day school are bitter about the experience, which was often homophobic and sexist, in addition to narrow-minded politically/religiously. Plus there are a lot of other traumas that come from bad school experiences — violence, abuse, and bad practices that are not properly dealt with by staff and leave long-lasting scars. (Horace Mann anyone?) I’m just saying, let’s not assume that the only reason alumni aren’t donating is because the fundraising efforts haven’t been there. Maybe some alumni simply do not want to support their schools.

  2. Great article with lots of information and resources! For schools wanting to learn more about the how and why of engaging your alumni, AVI CHAI will soon be sponsoring a Day School Video Academy Contest in alumni engagement. You can sign up to receive information about the webinars, free one-on-one consultations, contest (and prizes!) by scrolling down to the bottom of http://www.dayschoolvideoacademy.org.

  3. Life has changed since the first time I was asked to launch an alumni association for a Jewish Day school twenty years ago. I was presented with four cartons worth of dusty old yearbooks and a cup of coffee. Many cups of coffee helped me network, sleuth, forge multi generational alliances, and ultimately succeed. Read on to learn how to engage your alumni – from day one. I agree: if you don’t lose your grads, you’ll never have to search for them!

    Candace Plotsker-Herman
    Creative Communications
    Helping day schools achieve their missions
    http://www.creativecommunicationsgroup.com/DaySchools.html

  4. As someone who has directed development for independent schools and higher education, the point is well taken to not lose the alumni in the first place. All of the events mentioned were very good ideas. In addition to those events, I think one can build a culture of giving with alum while still in school and beyond. The ways to do this include building a culture of giving throughout their education years and while they are in College. At Oakwood School in Los Angeles, students hear from the alumni office on a regular basis while they are in college. In fact they receive ‘care packages’ 2 or 3 times a year. They are invited to events, many of which have already been mentioned. When Oakwood goes on the road they are invited to attend a reception, schmooze with faculty and other alumni from other years.. This school has done an amazing job of keeping their alumni connected. It takes engagement and perseverance. Most importantly it requires support of the head and faculty who have been at the school a long time,