Graduation doesn’t end your relationship with Berry. You’ll have plenty of ways to stay connected to your beloved alma mater, as well as many opportunities to be an important part of keeping its traditions and its hope for the future alive.
You can expect to hear from Berry regularly as we continue fundraising initiatives and begin new projects. Here is a detailed list of communications you can expect from us throughout the year.
July 1 – June 30: Berry fundraising cycle – All alumni are scheduled to receive each of the following solicitations during a fundraising cycle. Alumni are removed from solicitations during a fundraising cycle after they have made their gift for that cycle.* A new fundraising cycle begins every July 1.
Example: If an alumnus makes a gift in response to a solicitation s/he receives in September, then s/he will stop receiving solicitations from Berry until the following June 30. If an alumnus makes a gift on June 30, s/he could receive another solicitation on July 1.
*Alumni in their reunion year (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 years from graduation) will receive additional solicitations for their class reunion gift.
General communications alumni can expect to receive from Berry:
• Berry Magazine: Comprehensive Berry coverage – Stay connected with Berry through human interest stories about other alumni, faculty and students. Read class notes to keep in touch with your peers and see the accomplishments of others. Let others know what you’ve been up to as well. Receive three issues per year.
• Berry Alumni Accent: Electronic newsletter – Keep up with current news from Berry, participate in poll questions at the end of each issue through this interactive e-newsletter. You will receive one per month.
• Event Invitations: Berry in your backyard –Alumni regional and campus events are held periodically to unite alumni through their common Berry connection. Invitations for these events are sent through the mail and via email using the contact information you provide us.
Solicitations to expect in the fall:
• Berry email/mail solicitation: the Berry Firsthand Fund will send two email/mail solicitations to alumni who have not yet given. Usually these solicitations go out in August and October.
• Tax Deadline Reminder: Tax deductible gifts – Many donors make their gifts to Berry prior to December 31 in order to receive the tax benefits for that calendar year. This letter is sent to alumni who have not yet made their gift in the current fundraising cycle (July- June 30).
• Berry Student Phone Call: Alumni who have not made a gift in the current fundraising cycle will receive a phone call from a current Berry student. These students enjoy connecting over a variety of topics and experiences – campus activities, sports, favorite professors, etc.
Solicitations to expect in the spring:
• Berry email/mail solicitation: the Berry Firsthand Fund will send three email/mail solicitations to alumni who have not yet given. Usually these solicitations go out in February, April and end of May.
• Berry Student Phone Call: Alumni who have not made a gift in the current fundraising cycle will receive a phone call from a current Berry student. These students enjoy connecting over a variety of topics and experiences – campus activities, sports, favorite professors, etc.