Universities often focus their resources on engaging established alumni, but the greatest opportunity
lies in building connections with those just starting their professional journeys. For graduates under
30, this formative period is critical—not just for their career growth but for creating lifelong bonds with
their alma mater.

Why Focus on Young Alumni?

After graduation, many alumni shift their attention to building careers, often losing touch with their
universities. Emails go unanswered, addresses change, and LinkedIn profiles remain unmonitored.
Yet these early career years are when significant milestones occur:

• Joining Companies with Matching Gift Programs: Young alumni often work for
  organizations with robust corporate matching gift opportunities. Without updated employer
  information, universities miss out on a critical source of revenue.
• Involvement with Startups: Many graduates join or launch startups that hold immense
  potential for future partnerships or donations as they grow.
• Rapid Career Advancements: Alumni climbing the career ladder quickly become leaders
  and influencers, making early engagement essential for cultivating long-term relationships.

How Universities Can Stay in the Know with BRD

Proactively staying connected with young alumni requires the right tools and strategies.
BlueRidge Data (BRD) offers universities the solutions they need to bridge the gap between
graduation and lifelong engagement:

1. Comprehensive Data Enrichment – BRD ensures your alumni records are up-to-date by appending verified employer details, professional emails, phone numbers, and additional degrees. This data enables universities
   to maintain accurate and actionable insights for outreach.
2. Milestone and Wealth Event Tracking – With proprietary data, BRD helps you identify key career events like promotions, job changes, and wealth events, such as IPOs and real estate transactions. These moments are
   ideal opportunities to connect.
3. Matching Gift Insights – BRD identifies alumni employed by companies with matching gift programs, helping
   universities unlock untapped funding through targeted outreach.
4. Campaign Segmentation and Personalization – Advanced analytics allow universities to segment their alumni base, creating personalized engagement strategies that resonate with graduates at various career stages.
5. Streamlined Giving Tools – BRD’s QuickGift platform integrates directly with your donation pages, making it easier than ever for young alumni to give back.

Growing with Alumni Through Their Careers

Building relationships early is more than just a fundraising strategy—it’s about fostering a lifelong
connection. A simple gesture, like congratulating alumni on a new job or milestone, can strengthen
bonds and keep them engaged. As we know in the relationship business, “If the connection isn’t
there when you start to make the ask, it’s already too late.”

Why Early Engagement Matters

By focusing on young alumni, universities can position themselves to benefit from their future
successes while creating a culture of connection and giving. Early engagement establishes trust and
familiarity, turning young alumni into lifelong ambassadors, mentors, and donors.

How BRD Can Help You Build the Future

At BRD, we specialize in helping universities unlock the potential of their alumni. With data
enrichment, matching gift insights, and advanced giving tools, we empower institutions to stay
connected, build meaningful relationships, and grow alongside their alumni.
The best time to connect is now—because every relationship starts with knowing.