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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