Ways to Give
Phonathon FAQs
Why does the Phonathon call SUNYIT Alumni, Parents, and Friends?
The Phonathon is the single most effective way to reach the largest number of people in the shortest period of time. It is one area within Annual Giving that provides the SUNYIT with an opportunity to communicate personally with alumni, parents, and friends throughout the year. The main goals of each call are to keep everyone connected with current students, to promote events on campus, to thank donors and to increase annual support.
The Phonathon program calls twice a year. Once in the fall and once in the spring. The money raised supports the most critical and immediate needs on campus. They often include: scholarships, academic programs, the library, athletics, faculty recruitment, operations and special projects. Alumni, parents, and friends may designate their gifts to any established fund they choose.
Who makes the Phonathon calls?
The callers at the SUNYIT Phonathon are comprised of SUNYIT students. Through calling, students can directly connect with this special group of individuals as well as help raise the much needed funds that will have a direct benefit to them and the rest of their fellow students.
Why are Phonathon calls made during the evenings and weekends?
Most of those that we call tend to be home in the evenings and on the weekends. This also allows for our student callers to balance their jobs around their class schedules.
SUNYIT can only use large donations; how could my gift make a difference?
Your belief in SUNYIT shows by the simple fact that you're contributing, and that's what helps keep our programs strong. Also, the alumni participation rate is so important because it is one of the measures used by U.S. News and World Report to rank institutions. The reasoning behind its inclusion is that financial contributions reflect graduates' satisfaction with their university. By keeping SUNYIT's ranking up, you're making current students, as well as yourself, more marketable in the job market by adding value to the SUNYIT degree!
Is it safe to give credit card information over the phone to Phonathon?
The reason we place gifts on credit cards is because it helps maximize your gift! By placing a gift on a credit card, it helps to cut down on the administrative and processing costs of sending you a pledge packet that would include the envelope, letter, return envelope, and postage both ways.
We completely understand concerns about credit card security. Your credit card information is not stored or saved anywhere after it is processed so you will be asked for this information again every year.
If you are ever concerned about giving your credit card to someone claiming to be calling from the SUNYIT Phonathon, there are a few things you can do to be safe:
- Ask to speak with the Phonathon Manager who can personally take your credit card information.
- Ask the caller for a SUNYIT phone number to call us back at.
- Donate online or ask for us to mail you a pledge form.
I like to decide an amount after receiving a pledge letter in the mail; why does Phonathon need to know a specific amount over the phone?
SUNYIT starts planning its budget for funding needs in advance. By agreeing to a specified minimum amount now, it helps determine how much money will be received so that allocation of funds can begin immediately! You may always increase the amount you wish to give at a later date. Specifying an amount is also encouraging to our students as it confirms that you are serious about supporting SUNYIT and allows them to see the progression on achieving our phonathon goals.
