2020 Annual Scholarship Event | Event Strategy + Design

Shifting to Digital—COVID-19 and the Fundraising Gala

Typically a sit-down dinner at one of Chicago’s lovely hotels, Josephinum Academy’s Annual Scholarship Gala pivoted to a digital event due to COVID-19. This meant that the tenor of the evening needed to adapt as well. The party dresses and gowns; the “dine, dance, and celebrate” on the invitation; the show flow—all had to be reconsidered.

Redesigning an Event—From Place and Interactivity to Concept and Personality

The project included:

event strategy consultation and guidance

event logo design

invitation design

5×7″ full-color, two-panel invitation
two-sided remittance
remittance envelope
mailing envelope

digital assets

building banner

event support

But, why a paper invitation to a virtual event?

After much discussion, it was determined that the school should not stray from convention too much. The development department felt that many long-time donors enjoy receiving hard-copy invitations and mailing in donations. Therefore, we did not feel we could responsibly take away a relied upon mechanism for donation during a time fraught with so much change. However, links to the online platform were prioritized in the design.

From Gala to Celebrating 130 Years of Innovators and Leaders

We leveraged the school’s 130th birthday and the imagery of celebration to create excitement—the formal gala would become a light-hearted virtual celebration with confetti, balloons, and interactive elements.

We asked students, alumnae, board members, and notable Chicagoans for video clips expressing their future wishes for the Jo. The school’s mascot, Josie the cougar, made notable appearances around the school. And, while the event was virtual, a kind donor funded a balloon installation that became a focus for many of the video clips that made “attendees” feel together, while apart.

The clips, trivia and silent auction slides, and calls to action were spliced together to create a 20-minute video celebrating the girls, the school, and its mission.

Finally, on October 2, 2020, the video aired on YouTube Live, viewers commented and answered trivia in real-time, and no one had to eat rubber chicken.

Goal Surpassed with More Than $700,000 Raised!

Illustrating that industrious solutions and earnest efforts create extraordinary results—and energized by the prospects of a $200,000 challenge grant once $500,000 was achieved—the school raised more than $700,000.

And counting …