A new on-campus phonathon program at Rose Hill will raise vital annual fund dollars to advance Fordham’s mission while providing jobs for Fordham University students.
Fordham has partnered with strategic fundraising company RuffaloCODY to develop a student-based phonathon fundraising program. The new calling center will be housed in O’Hare hall and employ at least 20 Fordham students to call alumni, parents, and friends of the University.
Michelle Garland, the program center manager for Fordham’s phonathon, said student callers will speak to between 400 and 500 people each evening.
Students callers reach out to alumni, parents, and friends of the University to help Fordham update contact information, and to keep the Fordham family up to date on news around campus and upcoming events.
Alumni and friends are also invited to participate by giving back to the University.
“We are also asking them to get involved, or to continue being involved, by supporting the Fordham Annual Fund to support the greatest needs of the University,” Garland said.
Contributions to the Annual Fund provide unrestricted funds that Fordham can apply to needs that arise anywhere in the University. In particular, this type of gift helps close the gap between tuition and the cost of a Fordham education.
Sydney Plant, assistant vice president for annual giving, said these types of gifts help enhance everything from campus facilities to libraries to academic programs—enhancements that add even more value to the investment of a Fordham education.
“The more we are able to do those things, the more Fordham’s name stays on the forefront, making the school increasingly valuable as a lifelong connection,” Plant said.
For students passionate about Fordham University, Garland said calling alumni and friends of the University is a great way to connect with the Fordham family.
“It gives students another opportunity to get advice from alumni who have been in their shoes, and an opportunity to get some career advice or networking opportunities,” she said.
Garland said student workers at other universities have found a career path in advancing the mission of their alma maters. Student phonathon workers have started a career in development after their experiences calling alumni.
The phonathon center will begin hiring students in September to prepare for an October launch. Student callers at Fordham start earning $10.25 per hour with flexible evening shifts.
For more information, and to view the application click here.
by Jennifer Spencer
