Award: Gold

Institution: University of Southern California

Title of Entry: USC Viterbi: Scholarship Connections

About this Entry: How do you bring scholarship donors and student recipients together when the annual scholarship event is cancelled due to COVID-19? This was what the USC Viterbi School of Engineering Donor Relations team was faced with this year. The fantastic solution was the creation of a new online stewardship and donor relations series we called Scholarship Connections.

Scholarship Connections brings together students with the donors who graciously provided scholarship support in an inviting and enjoyable online environment. Though unable to meet in person during this time, this intimate engagement event is designed specifically to create a donor-centric experience, allowing students to meet their donors and for both parties to share the impact of scholarship in their academic lives and careers. Hosted by the primary relationship manager, this online event creates personal and indelible impression on the hearts of donors and students and encourages greater giving in support scholarships.