Monroe Community College Foundation Creative that turned a canceled gala into a six-figure success
The Gold Star Gala is the biggest annual fundraiser for Monroe Community College Foundation. When COVID-19 forced the in-person event’s cancellation, the foundation had to quickly reimagine it as a virtual experience—one that would still inspire generosity without getting lost in a sea of Zoom fatigue.
Services
- Creative ideation
- Video production
- Campaign design + messaging
- Print production
Bold creative made this virtual fundraiser immersive and engaging
The key: creative that cuts through the noise and makes donors want to show up, even from their living rooms. MCCF built a fully immersive virtual event around a bold new theme, “A Modern Moroccan Oasis.”
Photography of printed event collateral including invitation, envelope, matchbox, and leather key chain
The creative concept connected donors to raise $220,000 toward education and workforce development
Why Morocco? Because it’s a cultural crossroads of people, ideas, languages and traditions. The perfect metaphor for what the foundation represents: opportunity, diversity and connection. The event raised $220,000 (net) in one virtual night, driving crucial dollars toward student scholarships that support accessible, high-quality education and local workforce development.
Photography of hands holding printed event invitation
Photography of printed invitation materials
Awards
American Advertising Awards, Greater Rochester
- Best of Show
- Best of Print
- Gold—Art Direction
- Gold—Sales + Marketing
- Gold—Alternative Printing Methods/Special Finishing
Close-up textural photography of debossed leather key-chain
Key Elements
- Striking digital + print invites that stood out from the flood of virtual event emails
- A Moroccan-themed cocktail recipe delivered to attendees pre-event
- Dynamic videos to kick off the night
- A creative concept + execution that kept donors engaged + excited, even in a pandemic year
- Reinforced donor trust + long-term partnership strength