Orange & Blue Days: Advocate Strategy Guide 2026

Orange & Blue Days Advocates

How to Be a Great Advocate 

  • Make it official  
    • Sign up to be an Advocate by following the instructions on your crowdfunding campaign page. Once you sign up as an official Advocate for a crowdfunding project, you will receive a unique URL to share. Every post, email, and text you send with that URL will contribute to the success of Orange & Blue Days and help us achieve our goal! 
  • Like and follow  
    • Find the Illinois accounts on social media for real-time content.  
    • Make sure to like and follow any social media accounts for the specific crowdfunding project you’re supporting. 
  • Craft your content  
    • We encourage you to use your voice and creativity and develop your own posts, or feel free to use the graphics and sample social media posts provided as a jumping off point! 
    • As an advocate you can upload a personal video sharing why you are passionate about supporting Orange & Blue Days. This will help inspire others to get involved too! 
    • Reach out individually to your fellow Illini friends and encourage them to join you in making a difference! (via text, phone, email, or social media). 
    • Remember to include your unique URL and the hashtag #OrangeAndBlue
  • Make your gift  
    • Support the projects that mean the most to you here. 
    • To further your impact, set up a matching or challenge gift for your campaign. 
  • Celebrate!  
    • Share success milestones throughout the week and thank everyone who got involved! Most importantly, thank you for all of your time and support to help make this event such a big success. 

Social Media Sample Posts 

Pre-Event Post Examples:

Example Facebook post featuring a mom and two little girls dressed as Illini cheerleaders with the caption, "Hey, Illini! As you're sitting there scrolling social media, would you consider joining me and becoming an Advocate for #OrangeAndBlue ? No heavy lifting, the signup process is fast and easy. You're already on your phone. Spread Illini Pride. Help raise $ for your favorite things at Illinois. Click this link to get signed up and help us spread the word March 4-6!"
Example Facebook post featuring two Illini hugging with the caption, "Let's get ready to celebrate Illinois! Only one more day until Orange & Blue Days! I hope you'll join me in showing pride for the greatest university of all time!"

Day-of Post Examples:

Example Facebook post featuring a graphic that says, "Orange & Blue Days March 4, 5, 6," with the caption, "50 donors unlocked $1,000 for scholarships at Illinois. Will you go Orange & Blue and keep the momentum going?"
Example Facebook post featuring a graphic that says, "I donated!" with the caption, "I donated. Have you? There's still time to make a gift for Orange & Blue Days and support your favorite cause at Illinois."
Example Facebook post featuring three women studying abroad with the caption, "Why did I give to Orange & Blue Days? Because someone cared enough to help me follow my dream to study abroad in 2010. It was the trip of a lifetime! And now I want to pay it forward so present-day Illini can have the same life-changing experiences. Join me and make a gift to the causes that matter most to you at Illinois!"
Example Facebook post featuring Illini football fans in the bleachers at the stadium with the caption, "Hey class of '96! Let's do this. There's still time to go Orange & Blue and support what matters to you! Join me and let's show everyone why we are the best class of grads from Illinois!"
Illinois Advancement
Alice Campbell Alumni Center, 3rd Floor
601 South Lincoln Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-9174

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (link opens in new window)

University of Illinois Foundation (link opens in new window)

University of Illinois Alumni Association (link opens in new window)