Yeah, I intentionally crapped on my own point a bit. The market will absolutely drive costs, I just think it’s hysterical that it’s a “donation.”
Jamie Pollard "State of the Union" Address for Dept.
- Thread starter BigJCy
- Start date
Yeah, I intentionally crapped on my own point a bit. The market will absolutely drive costs, I just think it’s hysterical that it’s a “donation.”
Yeah, my benefit isn't being closer to the 50 yard line or whatever % off at Cys Lockerroom, hell, I don't even need a parking pass. It's watching good football and having a team that excites the hell out of me. Jumping out of my chair when they beat Texas on a missed FG at the end and Stone Cold Steve Austin-ing some beers. Being proud to wear that sweet Fiesta Bowl winners shirt. Having a great time with friends watching in person or at home. That stuff is my benefit and the payback is worth more than $100 to me. I don't need a tangible something or other from the AD.
I'm sure if someone could only give $50, the Cyclone Club won't turn it down. You may not get a tangible gift for it and may not be an official member, but they won't turn the money away.
Edit: Or you can give that money to the Gridiron Club. It only goes to football, but at least it's something.
I donate with a family member $1000 per year. I sit in non-donor football seats. I stay there because I really like the people around me.
Conversely, I started donating when you could join the Cyclone Club for $50 and get half price basketball tickets. We started in the corners of the balcony around row 8, went to center balcony in row 6, and ended up in row 3. Over the years as the program changed and I aged out of that deal, we became $500 donors to keep the seats we had ended up with. A few years ago, we had to donate $1000 to keep our basketball seats and we did because again, I like the people around me.
I'm not sure if this proves anything, but I think of my donation less about getting the absolute best seats I can and more about guaranteeing that I am sitting near people that I enjoy sitting by.
You may think that's the situation but it really isn't, as evidenced by the fact that the department provides increasing amounts of tangible benefits for virtually all donation levels (which you say is unnecessary) and the Century Club that offers first time donors next to nothing, has only 450 members despite being an easily affordable entry level to the Club.
Like I said, this is Fundraising 101 stuff. Even Easter Seals will send out Christmas address labels for you to use with their year end appeal. I don't think my Mom will need to put a return address on envelopes for the rest of her life. All you have to do is show people that their contribution matters to you. Don't complain there is no broad base to the Club when you aren't communicating that those donations are critically important for income now and growing the size of the Club over time.
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Until last year, though, they would send one if you asked. I asked at least two years running and got one. These stickers also have the year on them. I like them.
Just going to interject that I have really appreciated all of the thoughtful threads on this subject. Read them all.
It is an uphill challenge at ISU, but I trust JP to lead us up the mountaintop.
It is an uphill challenge at ISU, but I trust JP to lead us up the mountaintop.
Just donate regardless of getting a tangible item or not. If it helps keeping CMC in Ames, better facilities, etc.. isn't that tangible enough?
It's fun having a good football team consistently. We can make a difference! JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!
It's fun having a good football team consistently. We can make a difference! JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!
I wonder what portion are student, corporate or ISU tix in the season tix numbers?
I understand what your saying, but with your CF example you are literally a paying customer for premium content. It’s clear I may be in the minority regarding my interpretation of the definition of donation.
Recognizing that ISU‘s AD makes and spends tens of millions of dollars. They spend what they make and it could be argued that the AD is somewhat a not for profit. Clone Club members are making donations. I don’t expect that I will be directly given something for my donations. Perhaps access to buying tix, parking, etc., but a successful AD and university are my goals.
I have charitable organizations that I have given feedback to regarding not giving me something. I am giving you money to help others, not send me a calendar. Again, my expectation is that my donation forwards the cause. In the case of ISU AD, it is sustaining ongoing success in an increasingly competitive environment.
In an ideal world donations would work like that but that just isn’t how non profits work.
There are people who budget and plan out their donations on an annual basis. You and me sound like those types. A lot of people donate impulsively though and need encouraged to donate. Fundraising is so much a proactive process. There’s a reason the foundation always calls you to donate. It works. They get more money calling and bothering people than they would just passively accepting donations.
Or they just piss people off and turn them away. The Foundation calling is one of the more irritating and annoying groups to receive calls from. They are right up there with the spam robo calls.
I completely get what you are saying and that is a good example.
I give to CF because they are working hard, betterment of the Clone Brand, albeit indirectly, and it is the right thing to do. I don't give to get "something" back.
If you are a season ticket holder, you receive mailings and emails selling the CC and it's benefits to the university. They have been marketing to people for my lifetime. I give because it helps the university, not because I get something in return.
Posters and stickers are not green. You are dealing with a university.
Ha! Yes, I give to the Foundation too. Yes, they used to call every year, but I have it set now.
The AD needs to be as bold as the Foundation. I am an alumni member too, but don’t recall....did we get an email blast from the AD after the bowl win? We should have. I don’t know why they aren’t cross-pollinating their efforts more. Lots of Alumni members and foundation donors to be mined by the AD.
I know a lot of diehard fans that were redlining this season, as well a lot of casual fans that became diehards, and alumni that began watching the team. There is an opportunity here. Heck, promote on CF; start getting the members here to donate.
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We are, but they are related. I wasnt calling you out, I was acknowledging that clearly most expect something tangible for their donation. I think it is a reality and the AD will have to figure something out.
Higher level donors often receive cost neutral benefits and access to purchases that benefit the AD, like improved tickets and parking or access to a club to spend more money. I liked the idea of CC merch that was only available via membership. Loved the suggestion that Trice logo be exclusive to it or buy the same gear as the coaches and athletes wear.
It creates exclusivity and additional revenue for the AD. For lower level members or all members, send them Home Screen backgrounds, ringtones, etc., have a cadence of communication coming from not just JP, but coaches. Maybe a CC web portal could be created with this and membership gets you access. Do members still get a discount at Cys and the bookstore? I usually leverage Alumni discount there.
Long time member of Cyclone Club and more recently Gridiron Club. I don't consider my $$ as a donation, and don't consider ISU athletics as a non-profit. I consider us fans are viewed as a mainly a source of revenue, and I pay to support a product of entertainment and enjoyment. ISU athletics are a business.
My charitable "donations" are to my church, Mayo Clinic Foundation, Salvation Army, etc.
My charitable "donations" are to my church, Mayo Clinic Foundation, Salvation Army, etc.
I want to be able to use a hot tub by the endzone. I was too young to donate at that time.
