RISD Calendar
The RISD calendar for annual leadership donors and planned giving donors features a curated selection of images that highlight fundraising priorities and express gratitude. The captions were written by the Senior Associate Director of Strategic Communications, and the design was by the Senior Associate Director of Visual Communications.
Captions use donor-centric language to connect to donors and reiterate their impact on the institution. Secular holidays and religious and cultural dates observed by the student body are included and align with the institution's diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities. Other dates, such as campus events, museum exhibition openings, and semester start dates, are included, as well as call-to-action callouts to reinforce appeals.
The calendar was printed on recycled paper with minimal binding to align with sustainability priorities. A brief survey about the calendar's content and design solicits member feedback to help inform future mailings.
The calendar is one of the items included in the welcome packets mailed to new 1877 Society and Metcalf Society members throughout the year. Other items include a welcome letter signed by the society co-chairs, a recent copy of the Institutional Advancement magazine, the RISD Fund impact report, and a vinyl cling.
Fiscal Year-End Video for 2023
This one-minute video and email sent via ThankView celebrate what we were able to accomplish together in 2023 by highlighting fundraising achievements and expressing gratitude. The slideshow was produced in-house in collaboration with the Associate Director of Annual Giving and the Development Communications Assistant. By repurposing existing images and b-roll videos, we were able to produce this video at no cost.
In the Studio with Izaak
This one-minute behind-the-scenes video and email sent via ThankView highlights a RISD student, his work, and the role philanthropy has played in supporting his education. This piece was created in-house in collaboration with the Associate Director of Annual Giving and produced by the Associate Director of Donor Relations. By filming and editing the video ourselves, we were able to produce the video at no cost and more authentically share Izaak's story from a first-person perspective.
Founders Day Recognition
This postcard mailing honors the institution's founding anniversary and expresses gratitude to annual fund donors. Personalized stewardship for around 350 leadership giving society members included a handwritten note from their assigned gift officer acknowledging their total years of giving to RISD. This piece was co-led with the Associate Director of Annual Giving and designed by Studio Rainwater.
