Orange & Blue Week Planning

Welcome to the Orange & Blue Week Crowdfunding planning microsite!

This microsite features best practices, examples, and templates you can use to let our donors, alumni, and friends discover all the ways they can make a difference.

Orange & Blue Week is a chance for Illini and friends to unite and make a difference around our campus. During this first year, we are highlighting crowdfunding projects that directly impact our students and campus. 

You and your team are critical to the Orange & Blue Week campaign. We can’t do this without you!

Thank you for all the time and effort you put into amplifying the message of these important projects at Illinois. You are making a true difference for our students and university.

Communication Plan

Tools provided for you to use

  • Orange & Blue Crowdfunding Week icons
  • Branded Webtools email header 
  • Social media graphics 
    • Save the date 
    • Countdown 
    • Thank You  
  • Social Media Advocates toolkit 
  • Links to promotional videos 
  • Video bumpers 
  • Printable thank-you card template

OVCIA and StratCom Communications Schedule

  • Wednesday, February 19
    • CCC mailing and CCC email to renewal populations, including a “P.S.” line about Orange & Blue Crowdfunding Week (OVCIA)
    • Digital billboard ads throughout campus: Union, Housing, etc. (OVCIA)
  • Monday, March 3 – Saturday, March 8
    • Social media posts on Illinois accounts (StratCom) 
    • Digital ads (StratCom)
  • Monday, March 3
    • CCC mass solicitation email to all renewal and acquisition populations (OVCIA)
  • Tuesday, March 4
    • This day is reserved for March Forth promotion. We ask that other units refrain from sending out Orange & Blue Crowdfunding Week promotions on this day.  
  • Friday, March 7
    • CCC mass solicitation email to all acquisition populations who have not yet made a gift (OVCIA)
  • Tuesday, March 11
    • Stewardship emails thanking donors who gave to Orange & Blue Crowdfunding Week (OVCIA)
    • Social media posts thanking donors who gave to Orange & Blue Crowdfunding Week (StratCom)

Ideas for your team

  • February
    • Begin promotion on social media and through area newsletters 
  • Tuesday, March 4
    • Please refrain from promoting Orange & Blue Crowdfunding Week on this day. 
  • Wednesday, March 5 – Thursday, March 6
    • Area-based social media promotion, personal outreach, newsletters, email solicitations (please work through UIF and follow normal procedures to request solicitation lists) 
  • Friday, March 9
    • Final push on social media, personal outreach, emails, etc.  
  • Tuesday, March 11
    • Post on social media thanking donors who gave to Orange & Blue Crowdfunding Week and sharing a success story from your project. 
  • Wednesday, March 12
    • Thank you email to donors who gave to your Orange & Blue Crowdfunding Week project(s)

Questions?

Reach out to OVCIA’s Associate Director of Strategic Engagement, Rachel Hull, at rhull3@illinois.edu.

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