Development Resources

Development Resources A how to guide for Club Fundraising Appeals and Events Melanie Burzynski Senior Director of Development - Alumni Association Phone: 734.615.4098 Email: burzynsk@umich.edu Heidi Kirby Annual Giving & Stewardship Coordinator - Alumni Association Phone: 734.763.9752 Email: hkirby@umich.edu Sarah Sheldon Development Assistant - Alumni Association Phone: 734.763.9702 Email: shelds@umich.edu

Direct Mail Solicitations Writing Successful Fundraising Letters 5.12.13 A. Fundraising letters are like a face-to-face dialogue. B. Answer your reader s questions before they are even asked. C. 6 things to remember: 1. Donors need lots of information to be persuaded to send gifts by mail. 2. Donors are skeptical. 3. An appeal is too long only if it doesn t convey the information that donors want. 4. Human interest sells. 5. If there s a way to misunderstand your message, donors will find it. 6. Format and design affect understanding. D. Effective fundraising letters possess 3 attributes: 1. It is an appeal from one person to another. 2. It describes an opportunity for the recipient to meet personal needs by supporting a worthy charitable aim that will make a difference in the community/world. 3. It invites the recipient to take specific and immediate action. As at the beginning and again at the end. E. Donors get asked to give to many things. Make yours stand out by conveying a compelling need. F. Have you given them enough reason to give? What have you shared prior to this letter? G. Show success and need. (Facts/figures/statistical data and the impact you have already done/made) H. STORY TELL!!! Support from AAUM Development: 1. For the most up to date information on individuals, request a new list for all solicitations. These lists are private and confidential and should not be used or shared outside of the intended purpose for Club direct mail. 2. It will take 5-8 business days for us to provide the list to you. 3. Once you have your appeal letter created, our staff is happy to review it for you. Note: Please allow one week for review. 4. AAUM Development can assist you with your mailing (return envelopes, pledge cards, etc) and will bill your group at cost. However, we encourage you to utilize your network of volunteers for discounts in printing and production options. 5. Refer to all AAUM Marketing guidelines for use of the logo and other information. 6. Please contact AAUM Development for your scholarship giving link.

Solicitation Appeal Letter Sample #1 Dear <Name>, Last year, the <Club Name> has proudly supported <#of scholarships> student(s) attending the University, with over <amount> given in support. As state support continues to dwindle each year, and with in-state tuition beginning at $12,994 and out-of-state tuition at $39,122, your scholarship support is needed now more than ever. We ask ourselves how we can help. You can assist these talented men and women currently studying by financially supporting our local club scholarships. Please <donate now link> to ensure educational opportunities for future Wolverines from <your city>. With your financial help we can ensure these students are able to receive outstanding educational opportunities at Michigan. Thank you for your contribution. Should you have any questions about scholarship opportunities, please contact me at 734.615.4098 or burzynsk@umich.edu. Go Blue! Melanie Burzynski Senior Director of Development PS If you are not a member of the Alumni Association yet, please <membership link> to learn the many benefit of joining. You do not need to be a member to give, but we want to make sure you have the chance to receive through our member programs.

Solicitation Appeal Letter Sample #2 <Date> <Name> <Address> <City>, <State> <Zip> Dear <First Name>, The UM Club of San Diego proudly announces its first-ever fundraising campaign, Wolverines From Paradise, aimed at building the scholarship endowment funds used to help send students from San Diego high schools to Michigan. As you probably know, we ve been awarding scholarships for many years. This past year we supported 23 students with over $18,000 in assistance. In the last few years we have made a commitment as a club to touch the lives of every San Diego student going to Michigan with a small scholarship award. We wanted them to know that the Wolverine community stands behind their educational dreams. Because of the recent far-sighted generosity of a few local alumni who have brought our endowment total to $300,000, we now have the opportunity to begin making a substantial financial impact for these students. Many families in our current economic times are struggling to pay for college. This is our chance to make a difference in our community. The goal of this campaign is to increase the total balance of our endowment funds from $300,000 to $500,000 by June 30, 2013. We have already received a pledge from a local alumnus to match all contributions up to $50,000. That means your donation or pledge can be doubled! And, if your company matches your contribution, the multiplier can be even greater! 100% of the funds go directly into the endowment and can be used only for scholarships for students from San Diego County high schools attending Michigan. If you ve ever thought about giving back to the University by encouraging the best and brightest students in San Diego County to Go Blue, now is an opportune time. Cash donations are always welcome but you can also make a qualifying donation in the following ways: Include Michigan in your will or trust (just be sure to stipulate that the proceeds should go to the San Diego scholarship fund and, of course, let us know); Naming The University of Michigan as a beneficiary of part or all of an insurance policy; Real property such as stocks, bonds or real estate (you may be able to avoid paying income tax on the appreciation of those assets); or A pledge that is spread over a period of time can also qualify for matching. All donations are made a part of your University giving record and will be acknowledged by the University as tax-deductible. We will also publish a list of donors. You can either return the below card and envelope with your donation or pledge or go on-line to www.giving.umich.edu/give/alumni-clubs and go to San Diego. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact me at mjflood@umich.edu or 858-459- 1660. If I do not have an answer for you immediately, I will be sure to get it. Thanks and GO BLUE! Michael J. Flood BBA '66, MBA '67 Scholarship Chair, UM Club of San Diego Outright Gift - Enclosed is my gift of: $100 $250 $500 $1,000 other MGoBlue San Diego Endowment Fund - 571530 San Diego U. of M. Club Scholarship - 359540 Other Giving method: Check enclosed made payable to the University of Michigan. Online at giving.umich.edu/give/alumni-clubs Credit Card: American Express Discover MasterCard Visa Account Number: Expiration Date: Signature: Signature (required for charges) Please return this portion with your donation Pledge - I pledge to pay the following amount over 2 years*: $250 $500 $1,000 $2,500 other The first payment towards my pledge is enclosed (fill out check or credit card information to the right) Signature: * This pledge is not legally binding, but is a statement of intent made in good faith. Pledges will be paid in equal installments due Dec. 2013 & 2014. You will receive a reminder before each payment is due. <Name> <Address> <City>, <State> <Zip> ID: <99999999> Designation: <999999> Marketing Effort: <9999> Finder Number: <999999999> OR Signature (required for pledges)

Solicitation Appeal Letter Sample #3 As a University of Michigan graduate, you re one of the leaders and best. You know the statistics: Top rankings in U.S. News & World Report for graduate and undergraduate programs. Ranked first in research and development spending among public universities and second among all universities, behind Johns Hopkins University. Ranked number 20 in the Times Higher Education ranking of the world s 400 top universities. Take a moment to think about the impact your experience at the University of Michigan has had on your life. If you are like most alumni, being a Wolverine has made a lasting impression and created a lifelong quest for excellence. Now, you have a chance to help others in their quest for excellence. Each year, following a tradition begun in 1929 by the University of Michigan Club of Greater Lansing, the Club presents its Scholarship Award at the 12 high schools in the Lansing area. The award is given to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding ability in a combination of leadership, scholarship, and activities. Each high school selects its recipient for the award based on the above criteria. The student selected receives a certificate and $1000 deposited in his or her U of M account to use when he or she attends the University of Michigan. Interested students should contact their school counselor about the scholarship in the spring of their senior year. I hope you will join us in this effort to make a Michigan education more affordable. Enclosed is a contribution form to help you participate in this vital project. If you would like more information about the Scholarship or the U-M Club of Greater Lansing, please feel free to contact us at umlansingclub@umich.edu. With sincere thanks Go Blue! UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN CLUB OF GREATER LANSING SCHOLARSHIP AWARD FUND DONOR FORM YES, I want to help make dreams come true. Please accept my contribution to this fund to support of Lansing area student attending the University of Michigan. NAME AGENCY/ COMPANY (if applicable) ADDRESS Amount of Contribution: $1,000 $500 $100 Other $ (Optional) This contribution is in honor of: NAME PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHECK PAYABLE TO: The University of Michigan (This is a tax-deductible charitable donation. You will receive a receipt from the University of Michigan.) Please mail this form with your check to: PLEASE NOTE: Any donations of $1,000 or more provide the donor with the opportunity to participate in the award ceremony presentations at Awards Presentation, and to receive special recognition for this gift. Please call me to discuss special donation opportunities for the Scholarship Fund Phone: THANK YOU For Your Support!

Club Scholarship Events Gather and Give 5.12.13 A. What is the goal of the event? 1. Stewardship 2. Cultivation B. Who do you want to attend? 1. High net donors 2. All alumni 3. Parents/friends C. What is your messaging? Does it tell a story that guests can connect with? D. How will scholarship assistance/need be presented? Will students be in attendance? E. Soft ask or call to action? F. Did you secure a noteworthy speaker? Is it in a fun location that will entice people to attend? G. Secure volunteer support. H. Time of year and possible conflicting events. I. Please contact AAUM Development for your scholarship giving link. J. Plan ahead!!!

AAUM Development Event Volunteer Committee Regional Club/Spirit Group Recommended Club/Spirit Group Development Events Timeline 10 Weeks Prior 8 Weeks Prior 6 Weeks Prior 5 Weeks Prior 4 Weeks Prior 3 Weeks Prior 2 Weeks Prior 1 Weeks Prior Event Day 2-3 Days Post Secure venue and speaker for event Contact AAUM Development for guest list with noted perimeters. Obtain a new list for every event for the most up to date information. Lists contain confidential contact information, lists are not be shared or used outside of the initial approved and intended purpose. Create and design invitation text. Currculate for approval. Send email Save the Date to invitees Mail and/or email an official invitation to invitees Secure volunteers to help drive attendance and assist with the event Send email RSVP reminder to guests with no response; note you need a Yes or No RSVP Confirm venue and event volunteers Collect RSVPs Last email reminder ONE WEEK Please RSVP to only those who have not responded Secure and prepare Thank you gift for speaker Finalize RSVP list. Confirm attendance numbers with venue. Prepare name tags to facilitate conversation and any additional print materials Confirm volunteers and their assignment at the event Draft follow up "Attendee" and "No Show and Unable to Attend" emails Make sure to track nametags of those who do not attend (so they do not receive the thank you email following the event) Track additional names to your list of attendees to ensure everyone in attendance receives the thank you email Send thank you email/notes to attendees make sure to include link to giving website!!! Send follow up email to "No Show" and "Unable to Attend" guests with highlights of the event make sure to include link to giving website!!! Forward contact information updates collected to AAUM Development Volunteers making calls to secure RSVP Staff event and facilitate interactions among guests Prepare guest list and share with club Collect and process donations made to the club scholarship fund

Save the Date Sample SAVE THE DATE The University of Michigan Club of Grand Rapids 2013 Scholarship Awards Banquet LaFontsee Gallery 833 Lake Drive SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 Monday, May 6, 2013 Reception and Presentation: 6:00 pm Dinner: 7:00 pm Please plan to join our Grand Rapids alumni and friends to support scholarships of future Wolverines from Grand Rapids. Print invitation to follow in the coming week via regular mail. For more information, contact Sarah Sheldon at shelds@umich.edu or734.763.9702.

Invitation Sample #1 on 5x7 cardstock The University of Michigan Club of Greater Chicago cordially invites you to the sixth Annual Fundraising Reception for Need-Based Scholarships Featuring local scholarship recipients and John U. Bacon bestselling author, award-winning speaker, TV and radio commentator and college teacher Suggested minimum contribution - $250 Gifts directly benefit Chicago area students Wednesday, June 27, 2012 6:00 p.m. Standard Club 320 S. Plymouth Street Chicago, Illinois Please RSVP by Thursday, June 21, at XXXX.weblink or Sarah Sheldon at 734.763.9702 Committee Keith Radner, chair Ilene DeYoe Jay Berlin Bruce Canetti David Poupard Steve VanderVoort Jeff Piell Kimberly Kannensohn

Invitation Sample #2 on legal 8x11 You are invited to join the Board of Directors and Scholarship Trustees of The University of Michigan Club of Grand Rapids along with faculty from the University of Michigan for the Annual Scholarship Awards Banquet. The University of Michigan Club of Grand Rapids currently supports over 60 undergraduate students at the University of Michigan. Each spring we gather to recognize the achievements of our incoming scholarship students and thank our donors for their continued support. This year we will be joined by 28 faculty from across the University including the Robert Grese, Director of the University s Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum, John Ayanian, Director of the Medical School s Internal Medicine Department, Sarah Fenstermaker from the Institute for Research on Women and Gender and Seth Ellis from the Stamps School of Art and Design. 2013 Scholarship Awards Banquet LaFontsee Gallery 833 Lake Drive SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 Monday, May 6, 2013 Reception and Presentation: 6:00 pm Dinner: 7:00 pm RSVP to Sarah Sheldon at shelds@umich.edu or 734.763.9702 by April 29. Please join our Grand Rapids alumni community to support scholarships for future Wolverines from Grand Rapids. Your contributions given in conjunction with this event will continue to give financial assistance to these outstanding scholars now and in the future. Please return this portion with your donation Required Donor Information Name: Address: Outright Gift - Enclosed is my gift of: $100 $250 $500 $1,000 other Denni Chamberlain Memorial Scholarship Fund 575236 Other Giving method: Check enclosed made payable to the University of Michigan. Online at giving.umich.edu/give/alumni-clubs Credit Card: American Express Discover MasterCard Visa Account Number: Expiration Date: Signature: Signature (required for charges) Pledge - I pledge to pay the following amount over 2 years*: $250 $500 $1,000 $2,500 other The first payment towards my pledge is enclosed (fill out check or credit card information to the right) Signature: Signature (required for pledges) * This pledge is not legally binding, but is a statement of intent made in good faith. Pledges will be paid in equal installments due Dec. 2013 & 2014. You will receive a reminder before each payment is due. Bequest - I have included UM in my estate plan (and not previously notified you). Please send me information about the John Monteith Legacy Society. LID: Designation: 575236

Sample Script for phone calls made by volunteers after invitation has been sent: I do recommend calling people to encourage them to come. I would break the list down so everyone on the board is calling a manageable number of guests. The script could be as follows: Greetings. This is <your name> from the University of Michigan s Greater Chicago Alumni Club. Is <their name> available? Hi <their name>. As I mentioned, I am with the University of Michigan s Greater Chicago Alumni Club your local alumni club. I am calling in follow up to the invitation you received regarding the upcoming Sixth Annual Fundraising Reception we are hosting on Wednesday, June 27. The event will be a great gathering for local alumni to hear from John Bacon, author of "Three and Out, as well as raise funding for the students we support from the local area currently attending U-M. As we had not heard from you yet, I was calling to see if you were able to join us. Listen for their response and give more information as needed. Note the response on a spreadsheet so it can then be shared with the individual tracking RSVPs for the total list. If they say they are attending: We are thrilled that you can join us. The gathering promises to be a great event for all. We look forward to seeing you there. If they cannot attend: I am sorry to hear you are unable to attend. As you may know, this event is designed to support local students currently attending the University. Would you be interested in helping to financially support our Club s scholarship? We can send you a pledge card so you are able to directly contribute. Listen to their response. If they do want to contribute: Thank you. I will have a pledge card sent to your home address later this week. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at future Club gatherings. If they do not want to contribute: Thank you. I understand. We are sorry to miss you at the upcoming event, but look forward to seeing you at future Club gatherings.

Follow up email to phone calls: Greetings. My name is <insert name> and I am with the University of Michigan s Greater Chicago Alumni Club. I am emailing you in follow up to a phone call to you that I made earlier today. We are currently putting the final touches on our upcoming Sixth Annual Fundraising Reception we are hosting on Wednesday, June 27. The event will be a great gathering for local alumni to hear from John Bacon, author of "Three and Out, as well as raise funding for the students we support from the local area currently attending U-M. As we had not heard from you yet, I was contacting you to see if you were able to join us. The evening promises to be a great event with both our keynote speaker and raising support for local students to attend our great University. I have attached the invitation for your reference and to provide more information. <MAKE SURE TO ATTACH THE INVITATION TO THE EMAIL!!!> I would greatly appreciate if you could let me know, either way, if you are able to attend as soon as possible so we can finalize our numbers. Thank you. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at the event. GO BLUE!

Event Outline - Chicago Scholarship Reception Time: 6:00 PM (CST) Location: Standard Club; 320 S. Plymouth Street, Chicago 5:45 PM Doors open to welcome guests Board members at door and mingling with invitees 6:00 6:10 Program begins; Bruce opens Thank everyone for attending Introduce yourself and the current board members who are attending Mention appreciation for their financial contributions to the Club Scholarship by attending this event Note that since 2009 the Club has supported 24 students from the Chicago area with over <insert amount> of scholarship funds awarded We are pleased to have some of our previous and current U of M Chicago scholarship recipients at the event. Ask them to stand. <applause> Before we have you hear from these students directly, we wanted to share this short video. <show video> 6:10 6:15 Video is shown 6:15 6:35 U of M Chicago scholarship recipients share their stories; They should come stand with Keith Keith introduces himself and again thanks everyone for coming He introduces the three scholarship recipients. o Stand with scholarship recipient #1 and say their name and year of their scholarship. Give 2-3 bullets on them, then ask them to speak Scholarship recipient #1 speaks; noting their major, why they came to U of M, what they like best about the University; what they are involved in; and how this scholarship made their education possible. End by thanking the group for their support. Keith then introduces scholarship recipient #2 and does the same as above. Scholarship recipient #2 speaks. Continue until all scholarship recipients have spoken. Keith then addresses the group. o Without support from you and other Chicago area alumni and friends, these students might not have attended U of M. You have heard firsthand how your contributions have made a great impact in the lives of these individuals and all those who came before them. Thank you. o We would like to continue our reception by introducing our speaker for this evening, John U. Bacon. Give brief remarks from his bio and have him come up to speak. 6:35 7:00 John Bacon speaks about his book, his career, etc. 7:00 7:15 Bruce returns to John s side for Q&A 7:15 Bruce makes final remarks Thank everyone for attending Specifically thank the scholarship recipients who came and spoke Encourage the group to take time to personally meet the scholarship recipients Note the next U of M Club of Greater Chicago gathering saying you hope to see them there. Close

Follow Up Sample Emails #1 - Chicago Scholarship Reception To those who attended: Greetings from the U of M Club of Greater Chicago! It was truly a pleasure having you join us for the Sixth Annual Fundraising Reception for Need- Based Scholarships event earlier this week. We hope you enjoyed meeting our local scholarship recipients as well as hearing from John U. Bacon, bestselling author and radio commentator. The evening was a great success for the Greater Chicago Club as we were able to raise additional funding for the scholarships we award to local incoming U of M freshman. We are still accepting contributions from those who could not attend and look forward to sharing with you later this year the amount raised from this event. Our Club continues to build upon its mission of connecting alumni in the Chicago area with the University through events, scholarship fundraising, athletic game watches, noteworthy speakers and more. But we find that some of the most impactful work we do is supporting students like those you heard from last night. Thank you for your generous support which enables us to continue awarding scholarships to such deserving students. We hope you will continue to be involved with the U of M Club of Greater Chicago in the upcoming year. Please visit our website <insert website> to keep updated on our gatherings, as well as like our facebook page <insert fb link>. And, should you have any questions about the Club or how you can get further involved, please feel free to contact us directly. Thank you again for your generous support and for attending our scholarship reception. GO BLUE! Chicago Scholarship Reception Thank You Bruce Canetti President, UM Chicago Club <insert email> Keith Radner Scholarship Co-Chair, UM Chicago Club Melanie Burzynski Senior Director, Development <insert email> Ilene DeYoe Scholarship Co-Chair, UM Chicago Club

To those who did not attend, but gave: Greetings from the U of M Club of Greater Chicago! As you know, earlier this week we held our Sixth Annual Fundraising Reception for Need-Based Scholarships event. We were sorry you were unable to attend, but very grateful for the generous contribution you made toward our scholarships. Thank you. The evening was a great success for the Greater Chicago Club as we were able to raise additional funding for the scholarships we award to local incoming U of M freshman. We are still accepting contributions and look forward to sharing with you later this year the amount raised from this event. Since you were unable to attend the reception, we wanted to share with you a short video highlighting past recipients of our Chicago area scholarships. <insert link> We hope you will take a few moments to watch the clip and hear personally how your contributions have helped them not only attend U of M, but excel in their student studies. Our Club continues to build upon its mission of connecting alumni in the Chicago area with the University through events, scholarship fundraising, athletic game watches, noteworthy speakers and more. But we find that some of the most impactful work we do is supporting students like those on the video. Thank you for your generous support which enables us to continue awarding scholarships to such deserving students. We hope you will continue to be involved with the U of M Club of Greater Chicago in the upcoming year. Please visit our website <insert website> to keep updated on our gatherings, as well as like our facebook page <insert fb link>. And, should you have any questions about the Club or how you can get further involved, please feel free to contact us directly. Thank you again for your generous support. GO BLUE! Chicago Scholarship Reception Sorry to Miss You Bruce Canetti President, UM Chicago Club <insert email> Keith Radner Scholarship Co-Chair, UM Chicago Club Melanie Burzynski Senior Director, Development <insert email> Ilene DeYoe Scholarship Co-Chair, UM Chicago Club

To those who did not attend and did not give: Greetings from the U of M Club of Greater Chicago! As you may be aware, earlier this week we held our Sixth Annual Fundraising Reception for Need- Based Scholarships event. The evening was a great success for the Greater Chicago Club as we were able to raise additional funding for the scholarships we award to local incoming U of M freshman. Since you were unable to attend the reception, we wanted to share with you a short video highlighting past recipients of our Chicago area scholarships. <insert link> We hope you will take a few moments to watch the clip and hear personally how contributions have helped them not only attend U of M, but excel in their student studies. While you were unable to attend this event, we hope you will consider financially contributing toward these area based scholarships. As an alumnus and friend, you know firsthand the great institution we all belong to. We want to make this extraordinary education available to all who are accepted. Please help the U of M Club of Greater Chicago continue its work in supporting students and give now. <insert link> As you can see from the video, these students could not have attended U of M without the generosity of Chicago alumni and friends, like you. Our Club continues to build upon its mission of connecting alumni in the Chicago area with the University through events, scholarship fundraising, athletic game watches, noteworthy speakers and more. We hope you will join us for future U of M Club of Greater Chicago events and gatherings in the upcoming year. Please visit our website <insert website> to keep updated on our gatherings, as well as like our facebook page <insert fb link>. And, should you have any questions about the Club or how you can get further involved, please feel free to contact us directly. Thank you for considering a contribution to the Chicago Scholarships. GO BLUE! Chicago Scholarship Reception Sorry to Miss You Bruce Canetti President, UM Chicago Club <insert email> Keith Radner Scholarship Co-Chair, UM Chicago Club Melanie Burzynski Senior Director, Development <insert email> Ilene DeYoe Scholarship Co-Chair, UM Chicago Club

Follow Up Sample Emails #2 Celebrating Donors and Their Scholars Celebrating Donors and Their Scholars Thank You Thank you for attending Saturday s Celebrating Donors and Their Scholars event at the Jack Roth Stadium Club. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to honor your commitment to the LEAD Scholars Program. As you know, for the past five years, the Alumni Association has been supporting extraordinarily talented students at the University through the LEAD Scholars Program. Diversity is crucial to America s innovative capacity and global competitiveness. We must continue to stretch ourselves to meet the needs of our university, our nation and beyond. Our community must continue to bring the best and brightest from all diverse areas and send them out as tomorrow s global leaders. Like you, we believe diversity is a key component of U-M s campus culture, enriching both the teaching and learning experience. Through your partnership, the Alumni Association is leading the charge to ensure a diverse student body for years to come. The LEAD Scholars Program helps secure enrollment of the best and brightest students from underrepresented backgrounds but without support like yours, this program would not be a reality. On behalf of the LEAD Scholars and all of us here at the Alumni Association, thank you once again for your commitment and leadership. Melanie

Follow Up Sample Emails #3 Grand Rapids Reception If they attended the event: Greetings. On behalf of the U-M Club of Grand Rapids, I want to thank you for attending our Scholarship Reception earlier this week. Many of our scholarship recipients, and their families, remarked on what an extraordinary opportunity it was to meet alumni and friends as well as our Michigan Road Scholars. I hope that you enjoyed this opportunity as well, making connections to current U-M faculty staff, our future Wolverines and their families, and our regional alumni. As was shared at the event, our efforts to support these young men and women can only be achieved by the generous contributions of alumni and friends like you. Over the past years, we have been able to award larger scholarships as well as add to the number of scholarships given because of increased donations. Your support is critical for us to continue our work. Thank you for your contributions. I encourage you to go online now to give again. Give to U-M Grand Rapids Scholarships and please designate your contribution to the Grand Rapids U of M Club Scholarship (324900 or 792975). Your support will directly go to scholarships for local students to attend Michigan. Our goal is that admitted students from the Grand Rapids area do not decline attending U-M because of financial hardship. As James B. Angell (third president of the University of Michigan) noted over 125 years ago, he believed Michigan is a university that should provide "an uncommon education for the common man." The U-M Club of Grand Rapids continues this vision and mission through the scholarship support we provide to our regional students. Please join us in this effort. Give to U-M Grand Rapids Scholarships Thank you. U-M Club of Grand Rapids Reception Thank You Melanie Burzynski

If they did not attended the event: U-M Club of Grand Rapids Reception Sorry to Miss You Greetings. On behalf of the U-M Club of Grand Rapids, I want to say how sorry I am that you were unable to attend our Scholarship Reception earlier this week. Many of our scholarship recipients, and their families, remarked on what an extraordinary opportunity it was to meet alumni and friends as well as our Michigan Road Scholars. I hope that you will have the opportunity to attend next year's event, as well as other scholarship gatherings throughout the coming year so you, too, can meet these exceptional students. As you may know, our efforts to support these young men and women can only be achieved by the generous contributions of alumni and friends like you. Over the past years, we have been able to award larger scholarships as well as add to the number of scholarships given because of increased donations. Your support is critical for us to continue our work. I encourage you to go online now to give. Give to U-M Grand Rapids Scholarships and please designate your contribution to the Grand Rapids U of M Club Scholarship (324900 or 792975). Your support will directly go to scholarships for local students to attend Michigan. Our goal is that admitted students from the Grand Rapids area do not decline attending U-M because of financial hardship. As James B. Angell (third president of the University of Michigan) noted over 125 years ago, he believed Michigan is a university that should provide "an uncommon education for the common man." The U-M Club of Grand Rapids continues this vision and mission through the scholarship support we provide to our regional students. Please join us in this effort. Give to U-M Grand Rapids Scholarships Thank you. Melanie Burzynski