USA Giving Day

The best way for you to make an impact on USA Giving Day is to encourage your friends and fellow alumni to join you in making a gift. Spreading the word is easy, fun and rewarding because you know precisely how many clicks, gifts and dollars your outreach is driving.

To become an Advocate, follow these simple steps:

Watch the video on Vimeo.

1. Visit givecampus.com any time before or on April 6, and click on ‘Sign Up’ in the top right of the page.
2. Create an account either by linking to your Facebook account or your email. (Note: Facebook is helpful because you don’t have to remember another password, and Give Campus never posts to Facebook without your permission.) If you already have a Give Campus account, simply log in.
3. Create a Personal Plea. A Personal Plea is a video in which you tell your social media community why you’re supporting South on USA Giving Day and why they should, too. The most popular format for pleas is a simple, short video recorded on your cell phone-- no need to get fancy.
4. Make a gift! The most effective advocates lead by example. You can also leverage your gift to encourage others to give.
5. Share the campaign link. The built-in sharing buttons (located underneath the campaign video and on the Advocates tab) generates a campaign link that is unique to each Advocate. When an Advocate uses these buttons to share the campaign link, the number of clicks, gifts and dollars generated by their outreach will be tracked on the Advocates tab.

The purpose of your Giving Day video is to make a connection with your audience and compel them to support our campaign. You’re not up for an Oscar. You don’t need to invest significant resources. So long as you follow the tips below, you’ll be well on your way to a great video!

Content Tips

• Introduce yourself: Tell viewers who you are and your connection to the USA Giving Day campaign.
• Make it personal and tell a story: Tell the viewer why you’re passionate about the University of South Alabama and why they should be, too.  Explain the goal of the campaign, why achieving that goal is worthy of their support and how the money raised will advance our cause.
• Make an ask! Ask the viewer to contribute to USA Giving Day and to share it with friends.  The crisper and clearer the call-to-action, the more impactful it will be.
• Keep it snappy: People have short attention spans, so don’t lose potential supporters by dragging on.  We recommend that videos last no more than 60 seconds.  Even better—deliver your ask in the first 30-45 seconds.
• Let your excitement shine through: The more enthusiastic you are, the more excited viewers will be. Bring some energy and don’t forget to smile!

Technical Tips

• Hold your phone horizontally: If filming with your phone, hold it horizontally and not vertically.
• Frame your shot: Film at eye-level or slightly above.  No one looks good from a low angle.
• Use good light: Natural light is best, so go outside if you can.  A cloudy day is perfect for filming outside. If filming inside, light up the room as much as possible or film next to a sunny window.  The more light, the less grainy your footage will be.
• Audio is important: Choose a quiet location to film so that your voice will be heard, not distracting background noise.
• Keep the camera steady: If possible, use a tripod. If using your phone and filming yourself, use both hands to grip it and keep your elbows close to your body for more stability.

Below are examples of USA Giving Day video scripts. It’s always best to speak from the heart, tell your own story, and let your friends know why you are choosing to support South on Giving Day. For the most effective video, be sure to include:

• Wednesday, April 6 is USA Giving Day!
• Explain why you are giving back to South. “I’m giving to South on USA Giving Day because…”
• Emphasize that gifts of ALL sizes are needed and appreciated.
• Include a call to action. Ask your friends, family, colleagues, etc. to join you on USA Giving Day.
• Tell them where they can go to give: SouthAlabama.edu/GivingDay
• Make it short: Videos that are no more than 30-45 seconds are best.
• Don’t forget to smile!

 

Alumni Script Example

April 6 is USA Giving Day! This is a great opportunity to show what a difference a day can make to the school that has given me so much. It doesn’t matter the size of the gift, because every donation makes a difference. Join me in supporting South by donating to SouthAlabama.edu/GivingDay today! Thanks, and Go Jags!

 

Faculty Script Example

As [your title] at South, I am proud to give back on USA Giving Day. I directed my donation to benefit [priority area of your choice]. Join me in making a difference on USA Giving Day. Go to SouthAlabama.edu/GivingDay today!

 

Staff Script Example

As [your title] at South [or USA Health], I am honored to make a difference during USA Giving Day on Wednesday, April 6. South Alabama [or USA Health] is a family of leaders who support and challenge one another to be actively engaged citizens of the Gulf Coast and the world. Join me, and go to SouthAlabama.edu/GivingDay today to make your gift!

 

Student Script Example

Wednesday, April 6 is USA Giving Day. This is our opportunity to support the school we are proud to call home. Join me in supporting South by donating today. It doesn’t matter how much you give—even $5 makes a difference and supports programs like student scholarships. Go to SouthAlabama.edu/GivingDay and give what you can now! Go Jags!

Join the USA Giving Day event on Facebook and follow the excitement on all of USA’s social media channels on Wednesday, April 6.

USA

• University of South Alabama Facebook
• University of South Alabama Twitter
• University of South Alabama Instagram
• University of South Alabama Linkedin

USA National Alumni Association

• USA National Alumni Association Facebook
• USA National Alumni Association Twitter
• USA National Alumni Association Instagram
• USA National Alumni Association Linkedin

 USA Health

• USA Health University Hospital Facebook @usauniversityhospital
• USA Health University Hospital Instagram @usauniversityhospital
• USA Health University Hospital Twitter @usaunivhospital

 

• USA Health Children's & Women's Hospital Facebook @usacwhospital 
• USA Health Children's & Women's Hospital Instagram @usacwhospital
• USA Health Children's & Women's Hospital Twitter @ USACWHospital

 

• USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute Facebook @mitchellcancer
• USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute Instagram @usamci
• USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute Twitter @USAMCI

 

• USA College of Medicine Facebook @usacollegeofmed
• USA College of Medicine Instagram @usacollegeofmed
• USA College of Medicine Twitter @usacollegeofmed
• USA College of Medicine Linkedin

Use these pre-written captions to post to your social media sites with our Giving Day graphics (below).

Example 1

What a difference a day makes! Join me in supporting South today—USA Giving Day—by donating to whatever area is most important to you. Give now at southalabama.edu/givingday #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Example 2

What’s the best way to make a difference at South Alabama? With a gift on USA Giving Day! Give now at  southalabama.edu/givingday #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Example 3

Give back to South and USA Health on USA Giving Day, April 6! Gifts of all sizes are needed and appreciated. Donate now at southalabama.edu/givingday #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Use these pre-written captions to post to your social media sites with our Giving Day graphics (below).

Example 1

What a difference a day makes! Make an impact by supporting scholarships for our student athletes with a gift to southalabama.edu/givingday! #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Example 2

What a difference a day makes! Join me in supporting our Jaguars by making a gift on USA Giving Day at southalabama.edu/givingday #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Use these pre-written captions to post to your social media sites with our Giving Day graphics (below).

Example 1

Join me in supporting the Black Student Union on USA Giving Day to raise funds for the Multicultural Leadership Center! Help the BSU reach its goal and win the student philanthropy challenge! Give now at southalabama.edu/givingday #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Example 2

Join me in supporting Greek Life on USA Giving Day to raise funds for intramural sports equipment! Help Greek Life reach its goal and win the student philanthropy challenge! Give now at southalabama.edu/givingday #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

 Example 3

Join me in supporting the SGA on USA Giving Day to raise funds for the Jag Pantry! Help the SGA reach its goal and win the student philanthropy challenge! Give now at southalabama.edu/givingday #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Use these pre-written captions to post to your social media sites with our Giving Day graphics (below). 

Example 1

Pay it Forward on April 6 during USA Giving Day! This is a great opportunity to give back to the University we call home. Go to southalabama.edu/givingday and make your gift today! #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Example 2

What a difference a day makes!  Join me today—USA Giving Day—in supporting our University and our students. Go to southalabama.edu/givingday and make your gift now! #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Example 3

Many of my students would not be able to attend South without the help of scholarships, and those scholarships are a direct result of philanthropic support from people like you and me. Go to southalabama.edu/givingday and make your gift today! #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Use these pre-written captions to post to your social media sites with our Giving Day graphics (below).

Example 1

Make a difference to those who need it most on April 6—USA Giving Day. With your support, USA Health can continue to offer the region's most advanced care and direct funds to where they are needed the most. #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Example 2

Give to USA Health on USA Giving Day! Your support will be directed to where the need is greatest, like patient assistance, life-saving equipment and groundbreaking research. #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Use these pre-written captions to post to your social media sites with our Giving Day graphics (below).

Example 1

What a difference a day makes!  Join me in supporting the next generation of health professionals by donating to the College of Medicine during USA Giving Day. Go to southalabama.edu/givingday and make your gift today! #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Example 2

For USA’s medical students, a little help can go a long way. Direct your gift to the College of Medicine on April 6—USA Giving Day—to help provide the resources necessary for many of them to continue focusing on their academic goals. Go to southalabama.edu/givingday today! #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Use these pre-written captions to post to your social media sites with our Giving Day graphics (below).

Example 1

You have the opportunity to make an impact in our community today through the University of South Alabama’s Giving Day. Go to southalabama.edu/givingday, and make a difference in the lives of students. All donations to undergraduate student scholarships will be matched dollar for dollar by the Mitchell-Moulton Scholarship Initiative. #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Example 2

What a difference a day makes!  Join me in supporting the University of South Alabama on April 6—USA Giving Day. Go to southalabama.edu/givingday, and show your support today! #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Example 3

Support the University of South Alabama on USA Giving Day! No matter the amount, you can make a difference in the lives of South’s students today.  Make a gift today at southalabama.edu/givingday #USAGivingDay #WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Use these social media graphics to let your friends know about USA Giving Day on and before April 6.

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Instagram Stories

 

Twitter