Support Your Graduates and They'll Support You

An alumni newsletter is a great way to keep alums in touch. Of course, creating a newsletter costs money. Rather than appealing outright for cash, create a newsletter environment that makes former students want to contribute. Keep the news accurate and timely. Include a lot of personal articles to lend a human face to the college or university. Perhaps adding a nostalgia section -- old photos, top ten lists for a certain year, etc. -- will give students the extra push to donate to the newsletter fund.