Partnership Path

Pilot the Model With Your Institution

A focused path for schools that want to explore peer-led Giving Circles as a structured fundraising activation model. Test a practical approach without pretending the work is already standardized at scale.

Why Participate

A More Intentional Approach to Alumni Activation

Test a practical approach to alumni activation without pretending the work is already fully standardized at scale

Find a more intentional way to identify leaders, organize giving communities, and learn what works inside your alumni ecosystem

Work with Connect To Give on a structured approach to peer-led donor circles designed for your institutional context

Who This Is For

Advancement leaders
Development officers
Fundraising decision makers
Executive sponsors
Schools exploring alumni activation beyond broad annual-giving tactics

Mutual Commitments

Pilot participation is intended to be collaborative. Schools bring institutional context. Connect To Give brings the operating model.

What Schools Provide

Institutional alignment and sponsor support
Access to the right internal stakeholders
Agreement on pilot focus and scope
Collaboration on outreach, messaging, and operational pathways
Participation in evaluation and learning

What Schools Receive

A structured giving-circle activation model
Strategic guidance on leader and participation pathways
A more organized operating approach for circle formation and follow-through
A pilot design shaped around institutional relevance
Clearer learning on whether the model fits your school's goals
The Process

How Pilot Execution Works

01

Fit Conversation

Initial discussion to understand your institution and goals

02

Shared Scope Definition

Collaboratively define the pilot focus and parameters

03

Circle Activation Design

Shape the structure, messaging, and participation path

04

Outreach & Support

Support peer-led engagement with intentional operating rhythm

05

Progress Review

Review against agreed success measures and refine

Measuring Impact

What Success Looks Like

Success should be defined mutually and may include measures such as:

Number of qualified leader signals

Level of alumni interest captured

Number of active circle participants

Donor participation patterns within the pilot

Internal operational learning

Clarity on broader institutional fit

Success should not be reduced to a single headline number unless agreed in advance. The goal is institutional learning as much as immediate metrics.

Readiness Check

Is Your Institution Ready?

The pilot path is designed for schools that see opportunity in underactivated alumni networks and want a focused, credible model for engagement. Review these readiness indicators:

We have internal interest in exploring a new alumni activation model
We can identify a sponsor or lead stakeholder
We are open to a focused pilot rather than a broad rollout
We understand this is a structured test, not a finished enterprise deployment
We are willing to define success collaboratively
We use Blackbaud as our system of record for advancement operations

What Schools Gain Beyond the Platform

Alumni Signal Visibility

See where motivated alumni energy exists

Circle Leader Identification

Surface emerging leaders from your alumni base

Affinity-Based Activation

Opportunities rooted in shared identity and purpose

Re-engagement Pathways

Possible activation of under-givers and sporadic givers

Start the Conversation

Request a Pilot Conversation

Use this form if you represent a school or institutional team interested in exploring a pilot partnership.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Connect To Give is positioned as a complementary activation layer, not a replacement for your system of record.

Pilot economics should be discussed directly based on scope, structure, and partnership needs. We leave room for conversation until the preferred model is finalized.

Pilot duration is collaboratively defined based on your institutional context and goals. We work with you to set realistic timelines.

The pilot is designed as a learning experience. Even if the model isn't a perfect fit, you gain valuable insights about your alumni engagement opportunities.