Case Study: Western Carolina University doubles annual giving revenue with Blackbaud Guided Fundraising

Western Carolina University uses multi-channel, person-to-person fundraising techniques to boost annual giving funds

Western Carolina University’s annual giving team relied on legacy calling software and an outdated, cumbersome student-caller model that limited their ability to expand person-to-person fundraising. Director Jonathan Brooks prioritized modernizing the phone program to better empower student fundraisers and improve outreach effectiveness.

They implemented Blackbaud Guided Fundraising, a seamless, user-friendly platform students embraced for multi-channel engagement (phone, email, text) and prospecting. As a result, annual giving revenue roughly doubled year over year, donor capture via the phone program rose about 20%, email open rates increased ~50%, and new donors were reached through text—while the team retained agility to pivot outreach during COVID-19.

Western Carolina University

Jonathan Brooks

Director of Annual Giving