Day of Giving Toolkit
Welcome!
The UAFS Day of Giving is an annual crowdfunding campaign that starts at 7 a.m. on April 25 and ends at 3:08 p.m. on April 26. This means that we're fundraising for 1,928 minutes as an homage to the year our university was founded.
Our Day of Giving spotlights and raises funds to support incredible scholarships, student experiences, and student support initiatives that make UAFS so special. This year we have 18 unique projects.
What is a Day of Giving Ambassador?
Crowdfunding is based on peer-to-peer interaction – meaning that people are more likely to donate to a worthy cause when the cause is presented to them by a peer. In fact, our friends at Give Campus note that peer asks are 300x more effective than institutional asks. That’s why our ambassadors are essential to the success of our Day of Giving!
Ambassadors share information about the Day of Giving in their own words with their friends, family, co-workers, etc., through various communication channels. How an ambassador communicates with their peers should feel comfortable to them. Whether it's social media, emails, texting, phone calls, or word of mouth, you want to make sure that you're communicating in a way that feels natural. If you don't normally email your grandfather or Facebook message your mom, you likely wouldn't want to start now.
From sample text to images, we want to make this experience manageable for you. Below, you’ll find everything you need to be a successful Day of Giving ambassador. You may also join us for an ambassador orientation on April 17 at 10 a.m. in the Latture Conference Room, or use the link below for a brief orientation recap.
Day of Giving Ambassador Orientation Video
Make It Official – Create Your Ambassador Profile
As an official ambassador, you will create a profile on our crowdfunding site. This profile will provide you with your own unique link and text code, as well as allow you to track who has donated to your project and how much you've raised.
The ambassador with the most unique donors at the end of the day will receive $500 from the UAFS Foundation that they can designate to any department/fund on campus! Additionally, the ambassador with the second most unique donors at the end of Day of Giving will receive $300 to designate to any department/fund on campus, and the ambassador with the third most unique donors will get to designate $200. Unique donations must be at least $5.00 to count towards this good-spirited competition.
The student Day of Giving ambassador with the most unique donors will receive a one-time $500 scholarship. To be eligible, you must have room available in your financial aid package and cannot be graduating this semester – Spring 2024.
A unique donor is a donor who makes a gift over $5.00 and is only counted once in the context of the competitions listed above, even if they complete five separate transactions. This still applies even if the gift is given using different names (aliases).
On April 17, click the button below to officially become a Day of Giving ambassador.
Click here to register as an ambassador
Graphics
Below you'll find several types of graphics to use on various platforms. For a few, you'll even find designated times that we encourage everyone to post/share in an attempt to blitz social media as a part of a coordinated effort. Wouldn't you be intrigued if everyone on your timeline changed their profile picture or posted the same photo at the same time? Click the tile below to be directed to a folder full of materials for you to use!
One of the first things we advise you to do on Instagram or Facebook is add your fundraiser link to your profile. That way, whenever you post, you can refer folks to the link in your bio. That's especially helpful on Instagram since links don't work in post captions. Note that a few of the stories below (Student Experience - Story, Student Scholarship - Story, and Student Support - Story) have a "link in bio" at the bottom of those graphics.
Additionally, please remember that the linked graphic in your email signature should direct here, but once you make your unique, official ambassador profile you'll want to change that link over.
- Click here for instructions on adding a link to your Instagram profile.
- Click here for instructions on adding a link to your Facebook profile.
- Click here for instructions on adding a link to your LinkedIn profile.
Posts
Stories
Links to Share
Speaking of links, if you sign up to be an ambassador, you'll receive a custom page on our site. Share your link with potential donors and track the donations you've earned!
EXAMPLE Text
We're turning Facebook blue on April 25th and 26th to show your support for the #UAFSDayofGiving! For 1,928 minutes I’ll be sharing my Lion pride to fundraise for student experiences, scholarships, and support initiatives. Join me in ensuring students successfully make it to the graduation stage and have the tools they need to continue to succeed in our communities beyond! [insert unique donor link]
The #UAFSDayofGiving is almost here! There are several student experiences, scholarships, and support initiatives to support. I'm fundraising for [insert project name here]. This project means a lot to me because [insert brief testimonial here]. Which initiative are you going to support on Wednesday? [insert unique donor link]
Today is #UAFSDayofGiving! Our Day of Giving actually consists of 1,928 minutes in honor of the year UAFS was founded and 100% of the funds raised help support the students at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. Help me make a difference in my students’ lives by donating or spreading the word! [insert unique donor link]
Today is the day! #UAFSDayofGiving is finally here. Join me in supporting @UAFS by visiting the link below to make a gift or help spread the word. I'm raising funds for [insert project name here] because [insert brief testimonial here]. If you have a few minutes, will you help me support my fellow Lions? [insert unique donor link]
Today is #UAFSDayofGiving! I loved my time at @UAFS, and I want to make sure that current students have the same opportunities I had during my time there because I wouldn't be where I am today without them. To join me, click the link below to donate or share this post! [insert unique donor link]
I love the #UAFSDayofGiving because the entirety of every gift goes directly to support @UAFS students! It's not about huge gifts, it's about several $5 or $10 gifts coming together and making a huge difference! I'm raising funds for [insert project name here]. Will you help us reach our goal? [insert unique donor link]
I'm halfway to reaching my #UAFSDayofGiving goal! I just need ## of people to make a $$ gift. Will you help me hit my goal and support my students? Click the link below to donate or feel free to share this post! [insert unique donor link]
I'm a #UAFSDayofGiving ambassador and if I have the most unique donors at 3:08 p.m. tomorrow then I'll get to designate where a $500 donation goes! $500 can help pay the cost of a student's flight to present valuable research, cover an emergency expense that could prohibit them from finishing their degree, or ensure a student has the scholarship funds required to keep them in class this semester. Donate using the link below to help me support [insert project name here]! [insert unique donor link]
!! Ensure that you include your unique ambassador link in your Instagram profile to use these posts !!
Today is the day! #UAFSDayofGiving is finally here. Join me in supporting @UAFS by visiting the link below to make a gift or help spread the word. I'm raising funds for [insert project name here] because [insert brief testimonial here]. If you have a few minutes, will you help me support my fellow Lions by donating using the link in my bio?
Today is #UAFSDayofGiving! I loved my time at @UAFS, and I want to make sure that current students have the same opportunities I had during my time there because I wouldn't be where I am today without them. To join me, click the link in my bio to donate or share this post!
I love the #UAFSDayofGiving because the entirety of every gift goes directly to support @UAFS students! It's not about huge gifts, it's about several $5 or $10 gifts coming together and making a huge difference! I'm raising funds for [insert project name here]. Click the link in my bio to help me reach my goal!
I'm halfway to reaching my #UAFSDayofGiving goal! I just need ## of people to make a $$ gift. Will you help me hit my goal and support my students? Click the link in my bio to donate or feel free to share this post!
I'm a #UAFSDayofGiving ambassador and if I have the most unique donors at 3:08 p.m. tomorrow then I'll get to designate where a $500 donation goes! $500 can help pay the cost of a student's flight to present valuable research, cover an emergency expense that could prohibit them from finishing their degree, or ensure a student has the scholarship funds required to keep them in class this semester. Donate using the link in my bio to help me support [insert project name here]!
Almost 6,000 students means that there are almost 6,000 reasons to give! @uafslions is the most affordable four-year university in the state. That means that donations, no matter the size, can make a big difference here. As we celebrate the #UAFSDayofGiving today, let's make a big difference together! Click the link in my bio to donate.
!! LinkedIn almost requires unique posts to be successful. Consider using the following prompts to write your post and don't forget to include your unique ambassador link !!
@uafs is the most affordable four-year university in Arkansas...
Almost 50% of @uafs students are first-generation college students...
The #UAFSDayofGiving is special because you can browse several student experiences, scholarships, and support initiatives and donate directly to them...
Hey, [name]! I’m a fundraiser for my university’s Day of Giving campaign. At the end of the campaign, the person with the most donors (not necessarily the most funds raised) will get to choose where a $500 donation goes.
I’m hoping to win because I would like to see that money go to [a fund that helps students pay for unexpected financial hardships that could otherwise cause them to leave school without completing their degree. Students shouldn’t have to leave school because their car quits on them or they get hurt — and this fund helps keep that from happening!]
With that said, I’m asking as many people as I can to consider donating! Donations starting at $5.00 count towards the competition to have the most donors. If you can’t donate now, no sweat! Consider sharing one of my posts about it on Facebook or pass the donation link below along. [insert unique ambassador link here]
Hey, [name]!
I’m messaging you today to share some exciting news: I'm an ambassador for the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith’s Day of Giving! The Day of Giving is a 24-hour fundraising marathon designed to support special projects and opportunities for UAFS students.
You know how much I love UAFS and enjoyed my time there. Now, I want to give back to help other students have the same great collegiate experience. I am giving to [insert project name here] because [REASON], but you can support any initiative that resonates with you.
To see which initiatives we're fundraising for, and to donate, please visit: https://uafs.edu/about/offices-and-services/advancement/day-of-giving.php
If now's not a good time to give, no worries. You can also support the UAFS Day of Giving by spreading the word! Post about UAFS’s Day of Giving on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn using the hashtag #UAFSDayofGiving.
[insert general post graphic here]
Thank you and go, Lions!
Tips and Tricks:
1.) Don't Overthink It – Just Talk to People
Posting online is great, but most donations will come from 1:1 communication (conversation,
text, phone call).
2.) When and How to Communicate
We encourage you to start posting at least once a week starting on April 17. Then post more frequently on the days leading up to and on the #UAFSDayofGiving. This timeframe allows your social posts to act as a sort of primer, meaning the folks you ask on April 25 and 26 will likely need less education on what you're doing assuming they've seen one of your posts. As folks react to your posts, it also gives a good short list of who may be more likely to give on the day itself.
For a more detailed communication plan, click here to see our example communication plan.
3.) Hashtag
If you post, use #UAFSDayofGiving so the community can see your post. This hashtag
allows us to see how loud our collective voice is!
4.) Use Your Own Words
Above we have provided you with several examples of things to post. However, it's
important that you say it in your own words. Make it personal! The people who will
be seeing your posts want to donate because of you (their peer) more than they want
to hear from us (the institution)!
5.) Schedule Your Posts on Hootsuite
If you're concerned about remembering to post you can schedule posts on Facebook or
sign up for a free Hootsuite account. You can schedule out all of your posts in advance!
6.) Ambassador Orientation Recording
Ambassadors are meeting on April 17 at 10 a.m. in the Latture Conference Room for an in-person orientation, or you can watch an abbreviated virtual version by clicking here. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Josh Simonds at josh.simonds@uafs.edu.
FAQs
Our system requires the name used when donating match the name on the form of payment in order to process the transaction.
Checks have to be addressed to "UAFS Foundation" and include the project that you'd like to donate to and "DoG" in the memo line. Then, give it to a Day of Giving ambassador to take to Jasmine Smith or mail it to UAFS Foundation, Inc. at P.O. Box 3649, Fort Smith, AR, 72913. Click here to see an example.
While we encourage you to share about all of the incredible projects that are fundraising, you can only sign up to to be an ambassador for a singular project.
THANK YOU!
We'd like to take a moment to show our appreciation for your time and effort to help students at UAFS. This campaign is meant to give students funds, support, and unique experiences that not only bring them closer to getting a meaningful degree but also help them build their resume and make them effective members of our communities.
Thank you for investing in our students and in our institution. I hope this day is overwhelmingly successful and that the wonderful tradition on our campus continues. Let's have some fun and raise some funds!
Thanks and GO LIONS!
Jasmine Smith and Josh Simonds
Director and Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving