Engaging Alumni for Support
Alumni aren't just people from schools and universities—they’re anyone who’s been directly impacted by your work: program participants, workshop attendees, volunteers, or even former staff. They already understand your mission, they’ve experienced your impact firsthand, and they’re often deeply aligned with your values.
Yet, most organisations overlook this community.
Here’s how to fix that and start building one of your most effective long-term engagement and fundraising strategies.
7 Essential Steps to Engage Alumni Like a Pro
1. Define Your Alumni Community
What it means: Anyone who has meaningfully interacted with or benefited from your organisation.
Who might this include?
Program graduates
Past volunteers
Interns or fellows
Former staff
Mentorship participants
Event attendees
Why this matters:
Getting specific about who counts as “alumni” helps you map out your ecosystem, clarify your messaging, and tailor your engagement strategy accordingly.
2. Audit Your Existing Contacts
Steps:
Pull records from old mailing lists, spreadsheets, and program sign-up forms.
Segment them by type (e.g., volunteers vs. workshop attendees), location, and date.
Flag incomplete or outdated entries for follow-up.
Tools you can use:
Airtable or Notion for database setup
Mailchimp or MailerLite for tagging and segmentation
Typeform for collecting updated details
Why this matters:
You can’t re-engage your alumni if you don’t know who they are or how to reach them. This audit is your foundation.
3. Build a Re-Engagement Journey
What it is: A thoughtful 3–4 touchpoint email or message series designed to rebuild the relationship.
Example sequence:
Warm “Hey There!” – A personal note reminding them of their time with your org.
"Where Are You Now?" – A short survey or email invite to update contact info.
"We’re Up To This!" – Share what’s new and what’s coming.
"Want To Support?" – A soft call to action: join an event, give, or volunteer.
Why this matters:
Alumni often want to re-connect but need a gentle and intentional invitation to do so.
4. Create Exclusive Alumni Opportunities
Examples:
Alumni-only newsletters or Slack groups
“Where Are They Now?” spotlight interviews
Invitation to speak at or attend events
Mentorship programs connecting new participants with alumni
Why this matters:
Alumni don’t just want to be asked for money—they want to feel valued, informed, and inspired. These touchpoints build trust and emotional connection.
5. Develop a Fundraising Ask that Feels Personal
Tactics:
Reference the program they were part of
Share updated outcomes (e.g., “Since you joined our 2020 cohort, 450 people have followed in your footsteps…”)
Include giving tiers that connect to specific needs ($25 for a scholarship, $50 for a training session, etc.)
Why this matters:
People give more when the ask feels relevant, emotionally resonant, and aligned with their values.
6. Use the Right Platforms for Continued Engagement
Not everyone wants an email. Consider:
WhatsApp or Telegram broadcast lists
A LinkedIn alumni group
Closed Facebook groups
Even a lightweight alumni portal (you can create one on Notion!)
Why this matters:
Meeting your alumni where they already are increases the chances they’ll stay connected long-term.
7. Monitor, Track & Refine the Strategy
Steps:
Set engagement metrics: open rates, click-throughs, response rates, re-donations
Gather feedback annually
Use surveys to understand their evolving needs
Why this matters:
Alumni engagement is not a one-and-done activity—it’s a relationship. Tracking what works allows you to deepen that connection over time.
🧠 Key Takeaway:
Your alumni are one of your most trusted, experienced, and emotionally invested audiences.
Don’t wait for them to reappear—invite them back into the story of your organisation, intentionally and strategically.
A strong alumni engagement strategy isn’t just about fundraising—it’s about legacy, belonging, and community-building. And that’s what drives long-term impact.