How can you foster alumni gratitude?

2 How to express gratitude

One of the most basic and effective ways to foster alumni gratitude is to express it regularly and sincerely. This means acknowledging and appreciating the contributions and achievements of your alumni, whether they are financial, intellectual, or social. You can express gratitude in various ways, such as sending personalized thank-you notes, featuring alumni stories on your website and social media, hosting recognition events and awards, and creating alumni impact reports.

3 How to solicit feedback

Another way to foster alumni gratitude is to solicit their feedback and input on your programs, services, and initiatives. This shows that you value their opinions and perspectives, and that you are willing to listen and learn from them. You can solicit feedback in various ways, such as conducting surveys, interviews, and focus groups, inviting alumni to join advisory boards and committees, and creating online forums and platforms for alumni to share their ideas and suggestions.

4 How to offer value

A third way to foster alumni gratitude is to offer value and benefits to your alumni that match their needs and interests. This means providing them with opportunities and resources that can help them achieve their personal and professional goals, such as career development, lifelong learning, networking, mentoring, and socializing. You can offer value in various ways, such as creating alumni chapters and clubs, organizing alumni events and reunions, offering alumni discounts and privileges, and providing alumni access to online courses and libraries.

5 How to build trust

A fourth way to foster alumni gratitude is to build trust and transparency with your alumni. This means communicating clearly and honestly with them about your mission, vision, and values, as well as your challenges, successes, and failures. It also means being accountable and responsible for your actions and decisions, and showing how you use alumni donations and feedback to improve your institution. You can build trust in various ways, such as publishing annual reports and newsletters, sharing stories and testimonials, and inviting alumni to visit and tour your campus.

6 How to inspire action

A fifth way to foster alumni gratitude is to inspire action and involvement among your alumni. This means motivating them to act on their gratitude and express it in tangible ways, such as volunteering, mentoring, advocating, and giving. It also means creating a sense of community and belonging among your alumni, and connecting them with your current students and faculty. You can inspire action in various ways, such as launching alumni campaigns and challenges, showcasing alumni impact and outcomes, and facilitating alumni-student interactions and collaborations.