Story 10 - Fun in Fundraising
“Good evening, Mary. This is Nichole calling from NHRRF. How are you this evening? (pause) Tonight I’m here with alumni and friends participating in the annual Fonathon.”
Throughout our history, operating funds have come from a variety of sources: private funding, workshops, consulting, grants, corporate donations, parental assistance, Husker Hoops, Late Night, Fall Kick-Off, sales of Priceless People books, endowments established through the University of Nebraska Foundation, and countless fundraisers over the years. Maybe the most well-known fundraiser was the “Foundation Fonathon.”
The Foundation Fonathon or as many of us recall, the Phone-a-thon, lasted nearly three decades. Board member, Dorothy McKee, was credited to starting the annual fundraiser. In 1982, the first Fonathon was held and raised $5,000. In 2001, then referred to as the Phon-a-thon raised over $16,000. Many alumni and donors will remember making and receiving calls from counselors during the fall semester. The Phone-a-thon was held in many locations in Lincoln through the years and counselors will recall signing up for a shift to make calls, usually during the fall semester, over a period of a few days. Some years, alumni recall, Vals pizza was rewarded after calls were completed.
Today, NHRI continues to raise funds primarily through online fundraising during annual events such as: UNL’s Glow Big Red in February, Give to Lincoln Day, and NHRI’s Annual event, Fall Kick-off. In honor of NHRI’s 75th Anniversary, the Legacy Giving Fund was established at the University of Nebraska Foundation. NHRI continues to appreciate each and every donor that has invested in developing the greatest resource: the human resource. We invite you to join us for Glow Big Red this year and share your story of how NHRI has made an impact on your life.
