The Challenge

The University of Rhode Island Foundation needed a way to break through the noise and secure major financial support from top-tier donors.

 

Our Creative Approach

Operating as a volunteer-led marketing initiative, we pivoted away from traditional solicitation letters in favor of a tangible, creative experience. We rooted the campaign in URI’s identity as a land-grant college, a legacy of cultivation and progress.

 

We designed a "Growth Kit" sent via mailing tube, which included a live seedling paired with an illustrative poster documenting the university’s past, present, and future. This tactical approach transformed a standard donation request into a meaningful gift, effectively "planting the seed" for long-term philanthropic partnerships.

 

The Impact

The creativity paid off. The campaign shattered all previous benchmarks, delivering a 24% increase in total funds raised compared to any prior year in school history.