Monroe Community College Foundation How a gala sparked a universe of opportunity
Monroe Community College Foundation’s signature fundraising event is the Gold Star Gala, an annual gathering to support scholarships, educational tools and innovative programs. Its 2024 theme, “A Night Under the Stars,” was an opportunity for a donor experience that not only inspired action but positioned the gala as a night of purpose and possibility.
Services
- Creative concepting
- Design
- Print production
- Copywriting
This higher education fundraiser reframed a familiar concept to drive donor engagement.
Inspired by the approaching solar eclipse, the initial theme needed refinement to drive donor action. Conversations with the MCCF board produced an even more meaningful concept: “Unseen Galaxies: An Evening of Wonder.” Drawing parallels between the cosmos and the human capacity for growth, “Unseen Galaxies” became a metaphor for the untapped potential inside every student.
Results
- $275K raised to support students and faculty
The foundation mission was woven into the concept narrative at every touchpoint.
Just as light travels unseen through vast space until it’s discovered, so too does human potential waiting to be revealed through opportunity. This narrative anchored every creative decision, from messaging to visual design to the tactile experience. All orbiting around the MCCF vision: the transformative impact of education.
Photography of higher ed fundraiser print collateral.
Print collateral design helped elevate this gala invitation for a higher education fundraiser.
The invitation became a premium brand moment, reflecting the caliber of the event and the importance of the mission. Velvet paper created a soft, cloudlike texture that made the piece feel instantly elevated. Blue holographic foil added movement and shimmer like a night sky, while recycled paper and a leather cord grounded the design in human authenticity and purpose.
Animation and still photograph of unboxing higher ed fundraiser print invitation.
Photography of premium paper and accessories.
Images of print invitation design elements and copy.
A timely theme helped drive donations and inspire future donor participation.
With the region anticipating a total solar eclipse, the concept felt cosmically timed. The result: an alignment of mission and moment far greater than a physical invitation. The 2023 Gold Star Gala raised $275,000 to support scholarships, faculty development and program innovation. And even after the event ended, guests walked away inspired not just by a night under the stars, but by the realization that they could continue to help reveal new galaxies of opportunity for students.
Awards
2025 American Advertising Awards, Greater Rochester
- Gold—Invitations/Announcements
- Gold—Art Direction
- Gold—Alternative Printing Methods + Special Finishing
Close-up photography of print collateral design details.
Key Elements
- A mission-first creative platform that elevated the gala theme
- Premium invitation design that signaled value and intent
- Tactile print details that increased curiosity and engagement
- A cohesive story connecting wonder, education and donor impact