Chicago Alumni Give $17K, Mark Record-Breaking Year of Support
Posse Chicago celebrated a banner year for alumni engagement in 2019. Alumni turned out for Posse events in record numbers and increased their total giving to $17,500, more than in any previous year. This achievement was partially the result of creative strategies employed by the Posse Chicago Advisory Board.
Advisory Board members Jessica Pan and Taaha Mohamedali, both of whom are alumni representatives, lead the efforts to improve the engagement and giving of their Posse peers.
Chicago has a constantly growing Posse community, encompassing many of the 1,000 Posse Chicago graduates originally from the area plus alumni from across the country who have settled in the city. With the diversity of the group in mind, advisory board members organized creative social events and professional development opportunities to engage as many alumni as possible.
“It was a great way to meet new people, have fun, and share the Posse love.”
Last fall Posse Chicago hosted its first Friendsgiving Potluck, which was well attended by alumni. In addition, 90 alumni came out for the Power of 10 fundraiser in October, the most in the event’s history.
Trinity College Posse alumna Margaret Nolan hosted a 1920s-themed murder-mystery party, designed as a unique and accessible fundraiser with a low ticket price. Alumni in attendance had the opportunity to network with other alumni as well as introduce their non-Posse guests to the Posse community.
“We’ve been looking for new ways to engage alumni, and the party was one example that was a great success,” says Margaret, who also serves as the chair of Posse Chicago’s alumni giving committee. “It was a great way to meet new people, have fun, and share the Posse love.”
The Posse Chicago Advisory Board will continue to listen to the interests and suggestions of alumni as they plan future events. The board kicked off 2020 with the first workshop in a four-part money management series and looks forward to creating other innovative engagement opportunities to help celebrate Posse Chicago’s 20th anniversary this year.
