Team Stewardship Newsletter |
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Richard B. Russell Special Collections Libraries
A big thank you to the Special Collections Library for hosting our Team Stewardship meeting in such a beautiful space! We were inspired by the historic and interesting artifacts on display, with so much history woven throughout each exhibit.
The highlight of the day was exploring even more of the library. We enjoyed the fascinating back-in-time fashion displays and took the elevator down to the chilly underground vault to see where Special Collections houses its unique and archival materials. It was an unforgettable experience, and we are so grateful for your hospitality. For more information on the presentation, reach out to Daynes Parker. |
Annual Giving Workshop
Annual Giving hosted an informative workshop at the Special Collections Libraries that brought together colleagues from across UGA to share strategies, tools, and best practices to strengthen donor engagement and support fundraising success.
The meeting highlighted upcoming priorities and updates for Annual Giving and offered guidance on using technology and data to optimize strategy. Participants also learned more about the role of social media in donor engagement, the importance of planned giving partnerships, and current initiatives in Alumni Relations.
Overall, the workshop offered a valuable opportunity for knowledge-sharing and useful takeaways to support fundraising and donor relations across campus. Slides from the meeting can be viewed by clicking the button below! |
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FY26 Annual Giving Stewardship
Daynes Parker shared updates on FY26 Annual Giving Stewardship initiatives, highlighting new Journey Pieces designed to celebrate and retain donors. First-time donors now receive monthly postcards and weekly emails, with tailored outreach for academic donors. Second and Third Time donors are recognized with special postcards and a “third pillar” magnet.
Returning donors receive a welcome back email, while faculty, staff, and retirees are engaged weekly through the PAW Society email, which also includes an invitation to an annual event. Milestone recognition continues with weekly emails for donors reaching 10-50 consecutive years of giving. Broader stewardship touchpoints include the Dawg Day of Gratitude emails and handwritten notes, as well as a Thanksgiving video for all current-year donors and new pledges. For more information, reach out to Daynes Parker.
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2025 Presidents Club Ambassadors Needed!
We are asking each school, college, and unit to nominate one bright, outgoing student to serve as a Presidents Club Ambassador at this year's reception. The commitment includes completing a short questionnaire, taking a headshot at 1PP in mid-to-late September, and attending the reception from 4:15 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The reception will be held on Friday, October 17, where Ambassadors will mix and mingle with donors to thank them for their support. The deadline to submit your nomination is Tuesday, September 2.
To submit your nominee, reach out to Calli Choe. |
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Welcome, Haley Arner!
We are thrilled to welcome Haley Arner to the Donor Relations team as the new Scholarship Stewardship Coordinator!
Haley joins us from DARCOMM, where she has served as a Communications Coordinator since July 2022. In this new role, she will oversee the Scholarship Gratitude Report process and support the Georgia Commitment Scholarship Ambassador program.
Haley enjoys running, reading, and a good game of Scrabble! Welcome, Haley! |
Introducing Our Two Newest DAWGS!
In case you haven't heard, Donor Relations has two adorable new team members! CONGRATULATIONS to Katie Snipes and Catherine Henry on the precious new additions to their families! Welcome, CJ and Lillie! |
FY25 Endowment Reports Update
The Endowment Reports project has officially started! Stewardship recipient information for each school, college, unit, and department has been audited and added to GAIL. Over the next few weeks, personalized statements will be reviewed and added to each report template design.
THANK YOU to everyone who reviewed their funds and submitted updates. Your time and effort are always greatly appreciated! Below is the estimated timeline for the FY25 endowment reports project: - Early July: Stewardship recipient audit is distributed.
- Mid-Late August: Email sent to each unit requesting a personalized statement and website contact info.
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Early September: Foundation releases FY25 fund financials.
- Mid-September: Endowment financials sent to each unit for final review.
- Late October: Reports design phase; Fund and donor information uploaded to ODDER.
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November: DRS reviews all endowment reports; Reports marked for print are sent to the printer.
- Early to mid-December: Digital and printed reports distributed.
For endowment report questions, reach out to Tonya Moore. |
FY26 Fall Scholarship Gratitude Reports
Gratitude reports are in full swing once again! Stewies should receive a list of scholarship recipients in early September, and we’ll begin outreach to students in mid-September. In addition, students who complete the survey will be invited to pick up a free Chick-fil-A sandwich in Tate in early October. This year, we are returning to printed reports that will be mailed to donors in mid-December. For questions, please reach out to Haley Arner.
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Georgia Commitment Scholarship Ambassadors
We are so excited to welcome 33 GCS Ambassadors for the 2025-26 academic year! We kicked off the semester with a great training session where the ambassadors had the opportunity to meet one another, learn more about DAR, and prepare for donor meetings. If you’re interested in having an ambassador meet with a donor, please complete the request form. The ambassadors are excited to be a part of donor meetings and DAR events this year!
For more information, please reach out to Caitlin Lacey and Haley Arner. |
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PAW Society Event Success!
Huge shout-out to our current and retired faculty & staff members. THANK YOU for joining us and over 450 members of the (PAWS) in Sanford Stadium last week. You take being a Georgia Bulldog to the next level, and we can’t thank you enough for your support in FY25.
Faculty, staff, and retiree contributions were key to UGA’s record year in fundraising. Thank you for guiding our students to success, for guiding your colleagues to contribute to UGA, and for guiding the community to rally behind the red and black. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s PAWS Celebration. Go Dawgs! Questions? Email ugadonor@uga.edu.
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Dawg Day of Gratitude Schedule 8:00–10:30 am | SCUD Tabling Events
Donor Relations will provide koozies and buttons, and you’re welcome to bring any additional giveaways. Please let us know how we can best support you! If you need extra hands to make a tabling event work, let us know!
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11:00am–2:00pm | Tate Plaza + DW Brooks Mall
These locations see heavier student traffic, with different swag items than the morning tabling events. The format will be the same as last year's, and Hairy Dawg will be making appearances at both locations from 12–2 p.m.
Click here for the Google Form requesting tabling info, volunteer sign-up, signage requests, etc. If you want to take a look around the toolkit, it can be found Be on the lookout for a volunteer meeting a few weeks before the event!
For more information, reach out to Shearron Hamlin.
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40 Under 40 Luncheon Friday, September 5, 2025 Tate Center - Grand Hall
For more information, reach out to Amanda Brown.
Fall PLC Weekend September 5-6, 2025
Tate Center - Grand Hall & MLC Tailgate
For more information, reach out to Calli Hester. Fall Development Meeting September 8, 2025 Tate Center - Grand Hall
For more information, reach out to Megan Jenkins. Presidents Club Reception Friday, October 17, 2025 Tate Center - Grand Hall
For more information, reach out to Calli Choe.
Dawg Day of Gratitude Wednesday, October 22, 2025 Tate Plaza and D.W. Brooks Mall
For more information, reach out to Shearron Hamlin.
Team Stewardship Meeting Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Miller Learning Center For more information, reach out to Daynes Parker. |
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Do you have news to share in the next issue? Reach out to Tonya Moore! |
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Development and Alumni Relations Donor Relations and Stewardship 1 Press Place Athens, GA 30602 Tonya Moore
Donor Reporting Coordinator |
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Team Stewardship is an internal professional development community for stewardship professionals at the University of Georgia. You received this newsletter due to your role as an administrative, development, or external affairs professional who writes acknowledgements, creates donor communications, or coordinates donor recognition and events.
If you are no longer in a stewardship position and no longer need to receive these newsletters, please reach out to Tonya Moore. |
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