The World Affairs Council – Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky raised more than $7,000 to support local students who lacked access to computers and Internet for virtual learning. Find out how they created a successful campaign and how your organization could implement a similar initiative.
By James McManus, Director of International Programs, World Affairs Council – Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
During this time of upheaval and change, we have all reexamined how to better support each other. The World Affairs Council – Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky is no exception when it comes to navigating these challenges and those facing our community partners, like Sixth District Elementary in Covington, KY, whose students have participated in our global education programs for the past two years.
Of the Sixth District’s 421 students, a survey indicated that more than 65 percent lack adequate access to the technology necessary for remote learning. To respond to this incredible need, we launched a month-long fundraising campaign on Network For Good and promoted it on Facebook and Instagram highlighting personal stories of local kids who were in need. That really connected with our donors.
Thanks to a matching donation from board members and our advisory council, we raised more than $7,000 for the Tech to Students campaign and NKY Digital Equity Initiative, supplying 30 students and their siblings with Chromebooks and six months of Wi-Fi. These students will participate in our Global Ambassadors program, encouraging cultural awareness in their community and school. Each student will receive a culture box with art materials for four traditional art forms – Indian rangoli, Chinese lanterns, Mexican sugar skulls, and Japanese origami – accompanied by videos from international students learn more about each country’s culture, food, and diversity.
World Affairs Council – Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offers these tips for piquing donor interest and keeping them engaged:
- Get your board involved with matching donation pledges and help spreading the word
- Put faces and stories behind your fundraising campaigns to underscore the impact of donations
- Leverage your organization’s social media platforms to get more visibility for your campaign
- After raising the funds, keep donors updated on impact of their support so that they are more likely to keep giving
As the pandemic continues to reshape our lives and communities, the World Affairs Council – Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky will continue to support our students and neighbors. You can follow along with our new Global Ambassadors this year on our Facebook page.
WAC Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky distributed laptops and culture boxes to local students.
A Sixth District student with her new laptop and Global Ambassador certificate.