FIVE YEARS OF GROWTH

The year prior to my arrival at Iowa (FY 2018), the Hawkeye Marching Band raised approximately $34,000 to enhance programming and offset the cost of running the ensemble. As the HMB is one of the least funded marching bands in the Big Ten Conference, when I arrived on campus I made it a priority to engage an active donor base. Through strategic coordination of engagement initiatives, I have been able to cultivate a generous and committed culture of giving, and also established several key relationships with donors who have made transformative gifts to the band.

CAMPAIGNS + FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES

As HMB Director, I set the agenda for our fundraising and development efforts. I regularly provide my partners at the University of Iowa Center for Advancement with updated goals and benchmarks, and we work together to identify specific donors who values and priorities align with my goals for the band. Since my arrival in 2018, these are a few highlights:

• Two major solicitations each year, executed via mail, email, and social media

• 1-2 GOLDrush campaigns per year. Examples:

  • Sudler Trophy ($3,500 in 2019)

  • New Instruments ($35,725 in 2020)

  • Kelly Piccolo Project ($35,500 in 2021)

  • Establishment of new Hawkeye Drumline Excellence fund: $100,000 endowment

• Establishment of Hills Family Sousaphone Fund: $200,000

• Establishment of Kelly Enstrom Marching Band Scholarship Fund: $350,000

• New lines of game day Sousaphones, Trumpets, Piccolos, and Clarinets, thanks to nearly $400,000 in gifts from generous donors in 2020 and 2021. This is the first time in the history of the HMB that students perform on game day trumpets, piccolos, and clarinets.

• Establishment of the Lou Crist Legacy Fund, with a seed gift of $125,000 from Lou and Jan Crist and family, to be used for program enhancements in the Hawkeye Marching Band.

• Creation of the John F. Allen Appreciation Awards, $100,000 in scholarships dispersed among each member of the Hawkeye Marching Band in Fall 2023.