Benefactor Group is honored to celebrate 25 years serving those who serve the common good. This milestone isn’t just about our journey—it’s about recognizing 25 years of philanthropic successes and the transformative impact those successes have had on people and causes around the world. Together, we fuel causes with powerful fundraising, people, and systems, and we look forward to continuing this work for many years to come.
Building a Culture of Generosity—From First-Year to Forever
Alumni giving is a growing concern across higher education. For more than a decade, participation has trended downward nationally—particularly among young alumni. Public and private institutions alike are seeking strategies to reverse this trend and build stronger, more engaged communities of support.
Kenyon College, the oldest private college in Ohio and long recognized for its innovation and academic excellence, sought to understand this challenge at a deeper level. While the College had seen philanthropic generosity grow overall, fewer alumni were choosing to participate—a trend mirrored across the country.
“What we’ve been seeing here and nationwide can be compared to a tale of two cities,” said Colleen Garland, Vice President for Advancement. “On one hand, donors are giving more generously than ever before. But at the same time, more people are sitting on the sidelines. We wanted to understand why—and how to change that.”
To address this ever-growing issue, Kenyon partnered with Benefactor Group in 2022 to launch The Generosity Project, an initiative designed to diagnose the root causes of declining participation and craft a multi-year strategy to infuse generosity across the campus culture.
“We chose Benefactor Group because their team includes deep thinkers and industry leaders,” Colleen shared. “They work both inside and outside of higher education, so their perspective is informed by what’s working in a variety of sectors.”
From Participation to Transformation
The Generosity Project uncovered powerful insights and spurred important changes. Four key learnings emerged that shaped Kenyon’s approach:
1. Start Early—And Stay Consistent
Generosity must be embedded in every stage of the student-to-alumni journey. Philanthropy begins well before graduation and grows through meaningful experiences and connections. By influencing each phase—high school outreach, campus life, early alumni years—Kenyon has created a culture where giving is not an obligation but a natural expression of belonging.
2. Engage Faculty and Staff as Partners in Philanthropy
Faculty and administrators aren’t just educators—they’re influencers and champions of the student experience. By inviting them into the fundraising process as collaborators and visionaries, Kenyon found an unexpected source of momentum. “It’s an invitation for transformation,” said Colleen.
3. Make Donors the Heroes
Storytelling and donor communications now center the donor as the catalyst for change. Instead of “Kenyon changes lives,” the message has become: “Donors change lives.” This simple shift has inspired stronger emotional connections and greater pride in giving.
4. Implement in Sprints, with Accountability
With Benefactor Group’s guidance, Kenyon adopted an agile implementation strategy: 90-day sprints, clear ownership, and measurable goals. A tri-chair Generosity Project Committee and a dedicated project manager ensured progress remained steady and strategic.
“This work will ensure that donors and alumni continue to feel connected to Kenyon—and see the impact of their giving—long after graduation,” Colleen said. “I believe it will also help students recognize Kenyon as a cause worthy of their generosity.”
A Record-Breaking Campaign
Just under two years later in June 2024, Kenyon concluded the most successful campaign in its nearly 200-year history; Our Path Forward to the Bicentennial transformed the campus and the lives of current and future students through a remarkable show of generosity.
Over six years, 22,886 people gave, with gifts ranging from $1 to a record-breaking $100 million. In total, the campaign raised $532,122,343. Even more notably, 62% of alumni participated, with 12,272 alumni making a gift—defying national trends.
From redefining the philanthropic journey to implementing bold strategies, Kenyon’s work with Benefactor Group helped spark a movement—one rooted in connection, inclusion, and the power of generosity.
Conclusion
Kenyon College’s story reminds us that enduring institutions are built not only on tradition but on transformation. Benefactor Group is proud to have supported this journey—and to continue celebrating the people, partnerships, and projects shaping a better world.
To start your journey with Benefactor Group, contact us today.
