Chicago State Giving Day Toolkit

Thank you for serving as a Chicago State University Day of Giving Advocate! Your voice and leadership are essential to the success of CSU’s first-ever Day of Giving. This toolkit equips you with messages, tools, and strategies to engage your network and inspire participation.

There are three ways to support this effort as an Advocate:

  1. Give. Support the campaign yourself, so you can tell your network to join you.
  2. Spread the word. Sharing our campaign with your network of friends, colleagues, neighbors, and family help to grow the Chicago State donor pool, and when that message comes from you, it legitimizes the effort, making others more likely to support it.
  3. Create your own unique giving link. This way, all gifts made through your efforts can be attributed to you. The top advocates that secure the most donors and the most dollars will get free CSU gear as our thank you.

This tool kit has everything you need to do all three of these tasks. Below are images for you to use, sample language for emails, text messages and social media posts, and the link to the campaign giving page where you can create your own unique link to share, and more. 

Social MediaProfileZoom Backgrounds Sample Language

What is the Chicago State University Day of Giving?

Your 3-Step Advocate Checklist

  1. Make your gift on or before March 24
  2. Share why CSU matters to you
  3. Personally invite 5-10 people to participate

The Chicago State University Day of Giving is a 24-hour fundraising and engagement campaign that brings together alumni, students, faculty, staff, board members, parents, and friends to support CSU’s mission and future. 

Gifts support: Student scholarships, Academic and research programs, and Student success and campus initiatives.

Giving Link

Use https://chistategivingday.org/ to share with your networks. Create your own Advocate giving link by selecting "Become an Advocate" to get your own personalized link that will track gifts you solicited. Fun giveaways will be awarded to advocates that secure the most donors and the most dollars.

Advocate Roles

  • Share why CSU matters to you right now
  • Encourage classmates to give $5 - $10
  • Focus on participation, pride, and impact

 

  • Share how CSU shaped your journey
  • Personally reach out to classmates
  • Emphasize legacy and giving back

 

  • Lead by example with participation
  • Highlight how giving supports students and academic excellence
  • Encourage colleagues to join in

 

  • Serve as visible champions
  • Lead by example with participation
  • Personally encourage peers and key supporters

 

 


Advocate Kickoff Email Text

Sample text below can be paired with Giving Day graphics.

Subject: Join Me as a Chicago State University Day of Giving Advocate 

Dear [Name], 

On March 24, 2026, Chicago State University will host its first-ever Day of Giving—a 24-hour opportunity for our community to come together in support of CSU students, programs, and future leaders. 

I’m proud to serve as an Advocate because CSU has played an important role in my life, and I believe participation—at any level—makes a difference. 

I hope you’ll join me on March 24 with a gift of any size and help show the strength of the CSU community. Consider giving early by making your gift today <insert link to personal page> 

Thank you for supporting Chicago State University. 

Warm regards,

[Your Name]

#1 - Subject: Giving Day Is Here – Let’s Make an Impact for CSU Students!

Hello friends, Today is Chicago State University Giving Day — a powerful moment when our collective generosity directly supports CSU students, their dreams, and the programs that help them succeed.

I’ve already made my gift, and I hope you will join me. I chose to give to [priority area] because [your reason for supporting CSU/students/this program].

Visit chistategivingday.org now to make your impact in the area that matters most to you. Every gift — of any size — moves us closer to expanding scholarships, strengthening student support, and creating greater opportunity across our campus.

Let’s come together in Cougar pride and make today count for our students.

Thank you for being part of the CSU community and for believing in what our students can achieve.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]


 #2 - Subject: Every Gift Counts – Join Me in Supporting Chicago State University

Hello,

Today is Chicago State University Giving Day, and I’m reaching out because CSU means so much to all of us. Whether your passion is scholarships, student support services, athletics, or a specific academic program, you get to choose where your gift makes the greatest impact.

Even small gifts make a big difference — and today, they go even further. All gifts are being matched dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000, doubling the support our students receive.

Visit chistategivingday.org and be part of something powerful. Your generosity today helps create opportunity, remove barriers, and open doors for CSU students — not just for now, but for a lifetime.

Thank you for standing with Chicago State.

Sincerely,

[Your Name] 


#3 - Subject: Alumni Supporting the Next Generation – CSU Giving Day

As a Chicago State University alum, you know CSU is more than a campus — it’s a launchpad for talent, resilience, and opportunity on Chicago’s South Side and beyond. Giving Day is our chance to give back and ensure today’s students have the same life-changing access to education, support, and possibility.

This one-day campaign fuels scholarships, basic needs support, academic excellence, and the student-centered programs that help Cougars persist and graduate. And today, your generosity goes even further: every gift is matched dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000, doubling the impact for our students.

Will you join me in investing in the next generation of CSU leaders? Visit chistategivingday.org to make your gift and support the area that matters most to you. Together, we can remove barriers, open doors, and keep opportunity within reach for CSU students.

Thank you for continuing to show up for Chicago State.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Sample Text Messages 

Copy-and-paste ready. We’ve written the hard part for you. Grab any message below, personalize it with your story, and text your network. A personal message from you is far more powerful than any official announcement. 

  • Hi! I’m supporting Chicago State University’s Day of Giving on March 24. Every gift counts and supports CSU students. Hope you’ll join me! <include personal giving page>
     
  • Hi [Name]! Today only—your gift to Chicago State is DOUBLED! Fellow supporters Sharon Barner and Haywood McDuffie are matching gifts up to $25,000, so now is the time to make an impact. Give here: chistategivingday.org 

Sample Social Media Posts

Ready-to-post content with a plan to match. We’ve written the hard part for you, and organized it all in a day-by-day content calendar to keep your message consistent throughout Giving Day week. Each post comes with suggested hashtags and optimal posting times—whether you’re posting live or scheduling in advance. Feel free to tweak them to fit your authentic voice; that’s what makes them resonate. Mix and match throughout the week to maintain momentum and reach your audience when they’re most likely to engage. 

  • General: I’m proud to support Chicago State University’s first Day of Giving on March 24. Join me and help strengthen CSU—every gift counts! #CSUDayOfGiving 
  • Students: CSU students showing pride! Join me on March 24 for the CSU Day of Giving. Let’s support our campus together. #CSUPride 
  • Alumni: Alumni pride runs deep. On March 24, I’m giving back to Chicago State University. Join me and be part of CSU’s future. #GiveToCSU

 

Social Media Content Calendar

Feb 24 - 27 (Awareness)
  • Announce advocate role
  • Share why CSU matters to you
Feb 28 - Mar 20 (Engagement)
  • Highlight what gifts support
  • Invite 3-5 people personally to participate
Mar 23 (Countdown)
"Tomorrow is CSU Day of Giving" reminder
Mar 24 (Day Off)
  • Morning: kickoff post
  • Midday: progress update
  • Evening: final call to give
Mar 25 - 31 (Gratitude)
  • Thank donors and supporters
  • Share participation results

Advocate Talking Points Script

You don’t need to be a fundraising expert to make a compelling case. This script gives you the language to confidently share why Giving Day matters—whether you’re talking to classmates, colleagues, or family. Start with the talking points that resonate most with you, then personalize them with your own why. The most persuasive advocates sound like themselves, not a script. Use this as your foundation, not your ceiling.  

Opening (Why You’re Involved) 

I’m supporting Chicago State University’s first Day of Giving because CSU has played an important role in my life and in our community.  

What the Day of Giving Is

On March 24, CSU is hosting a 24-hour Day of Giving. It’s about bringing our entire community together to support students, programs, and opportunities—every gift matters. 

Why Participation Matters

It’s really about participation, not the size of the gift. When many people give—even $5 or $10—it shows pride, momentum, and belief in CSU’s mission.  

The Ask

I hope you’ll consider making a gift on March 24 and sharing the Day of Giving with someone in your network.  

Closing / Gratitude

Thank you for supporting Chicago State University and helping strengthen its future

Advocate Tips

  • Be authentic - your story matters
  • Personal outreach is most effective
  • Thank people who give or share
  • Celebrate participation, not dollars

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is there a minimum gift?
    No, Any amount makes an impact.

  2. Do I need fundraising experience?
    No, Sharing your support is enough.

  3. Who can give?
    Students, alumni, faculty, staff, board members, parents, and friends.

Day-Of Advocate Checklist (March 24)

Use this checklist to guide your outreach and engagement throughout the day.

Morning (8:00 - 10:00 AM)
  • Make your gift
  • Post your first Day of Giving message
  • Send 3 - 5 personal texts or emails
Midday (12:00 - 2:00 PM)
  • Share a progress or reminder post
  • Repost official CSU updates
  • Follow up with anyone who expressed interest
Afternoon (3:00 - 5:00 PM)
  • Encourage one last group or classmate network
  • Share why participation matters
Evening (7:00 - 10:00 PM)
  • Final call: "Last chance to give today!"
  • Thank donors publicly or privately
After the Day (March 25)
  • Share a thank-you post
  • Personally thank anyone you invited

Thank You

Your leadership as a Chicago State University Day of Giving Advocate helps strengthen CSU’s legacy and future. Together, we can make March 24, 2026 a powerful day of impact.

 

One day

One community.

One CSU.