Case Study: Western University achieves massive alumni engagement and scalable fundraising with Blackbaud Luminate Online and Blackbaud CRM

How University Advancement powers distribution of 8 million emails, while sustaining a database of 650,000+ records

Western University’s Advancement team needed a reliable, scalable digital foundation to build an online presence, reach alumni worldwide, and remove hurdles to fundraising and engagement. With 40,000 students and a global alumni network, the division faced the challenge of launching high‑volume outreach and sustaining a growing institutional database while preparing for its most ambitious campaign yet.

They implemented Blackbaud Luminate Online and Blackbaud CRM (plus customer success support) to create an integrated solution that automates outreach and relationship management. The platform now drives about 8 million tailored emails a year, powers ~300 events, and maintains 650,000+ alumni and donor records, enabling robust segmentation, faster data syncs, decentralized content management, exceeded fundraising goals, and readiness for their largest campaign.

Western University

Drew Martin

Director of Technology Services for University Advancement