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Brenau University Increases Giving Day Donations by 300% with Mongoose

Team collaborating around a wooden table with laptops and digital devices during a meeting.

Case Studies

Overview

Brenau University, a historic private institution in Gainesville, Georgia, has long been committed to maintaining strong connections with its alumni. However, traditional outreach methods—such as email and social media—were not generating the engagement needed for alumni events and fundraising initiatives. To modernize its communication strategy, Brenau implemented Mongoose in 2022. Since then, the university has significantly improved alumni participation, event engagement, and Giving Day contributions.

The Challenge: Strengthening Alumni Connections

Before Mongoose, Brenau University faced difficulties reaching and mobilizing alumni for key initiatives. Emails were often overlooked, and social media posts failed to generate strong engagement. Without a direct and personal way to communicate, event attendance and donor participation were lower than expected.

Emily Reid, Director of Alumni Engagement, recognized the need for a more dynamic and personalized communication approach. With a small team managing event promotion and donor relations, they required a solution that was both efficient and impactful.

The Solution: Personalized, Direct Communication with Mongoose

Having previously used Mongoose at Yale University, Emily advocated for its adoption at Brenau. The platform provided an intuitive, two-way messaging system that allowed the team to engage alumni through personalized, interactive communication.

“Having used Mongoose at Yale, I knew it would be a great fit at Brenau. The ability to personalize messages has helped us build stronger connections with our alumni network.”
Emily Reid, Director of Alumni Engagement, Brenau University

The Results: Higher Engagement, Increased Donations, and Stronger Relationships

300% Increase in Giving Day Contributions

By leveraging Mongoose for Giving Day outreach in 2023, Brenau saw a 300% increase in donations compared to the previous year. Personalized text messages allowed the alumni team to connect directly with donors, leading to greater participation and a more successful fundraising campaign.

Successful Event Engagement

Mongoose has also been instrumental in boosting alumni event participation. For example, when the team used Mongoose to promote an alumni trip to Italy, they reached nearly 12,000 alumni and received responses from over 1,600 individuals. Even those who couldn’t attend engaged in conversations, strengthening their connection with Brenau.

More Meaningful Alumni Interactions

Mongoose has helped Brenau transition from generic, one-way communication to personalized, two-way conversations. Alumni responded not only to event invitations but also engaged in direct conversations with the alumni team.

“It’s nice to have those touchpoints—even if they can’t attend events, they know we’re thinking of them.”
Emily Reid

Enhanced Donor Stewardship

Brenau is now exploring additional ways to use Mongoose for personalized donor stewardship, such as sending thank-you messages to donors and keeping them informed on university initiatives.

The Mongoose Difference

Personalized, Engaging Messaging

Mongoose has allowed Brenau’s alumni team to send personalized messages that stand out, whether for event invitations, donor appeals, or general outreach. The ability to include photos, emojis, and smart messages makes communication feel more authentic and engaging.

“When alumni see a photo of our team and know who will be at the event, it makes them more likely to attend.”
Emily Reid

Smart Segmentation and Targeted Outreach

With Mongoose, Brenau can segment alumni outreach efficiently, ensuring messages reach the right individuals without adding extra work for staff.

Data-Driven Insights and Benchmarking

Brenau benefits from Mongoose’s quarterly reports, which help the team benchmark engagement performance against similar institutions.

“The quarterly reviews are so helpful—sometimes you don’t know how you’re doing until you see how you compare to other schools your size.”
Emily Reid

What’s Next: Expanding Alumni Outreach with Mongoose

Looking ahead, Brenau University plans to further enhance stewardship efforts using Mongoose. The team aims to increase the number of alumni phone numbers on record and continue leveraging the platform for event outreach and donor engagement.

Conclusion

Mongoose has become a cornerstone of Brenau University’s alumni engagement strategy, enabling the small team to maximize outreach, increase Giving Day donations, and foster stronger alumni connections.

“Mongoose has saved us so much time and allowed us to connect with our alumni in a way that feels personal and meaningful. It’s been an essential tool for us, and we’re excited to see where it takes us next.”
Emily Reid