Women at Play Fundraiser Event

Athletics Development Frontier has reported previously about how schools are cultivating female donors and engaging their former female athletes.  Kent State recently received a large gift from former associate athletics director, Judy Devine, and several universities use football clinics dedicated to women to build excitement for their football programs.  At the University of Northern Iowa, the Panther Scholarship Club is using Comedy as their medium to attract female donors and support the nine women’s athletics teams on campus.

On Friday, January 29, the athletics department will host an evening event at the local Joker’s Comedy Club in Cedar Falls Iowa featuring comedian Rex Havens.  The event, which includes a VIP reception, a silent auction, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and spirits, and a night of guaranteed laughs, is put on entirely to support women’s athletics at UNI.  Tickets, which cost $40 ($45 at the door), are available to the public and all proceeds from the event go to the Women at Play Endowment, the UNI female student-athlete scholarship fund.

The night’s events are a fantastic example of creativity within a development department and a unique attempt at growing a female donor base.  With six years of history, the Women at Play Fundraiser Event does not show any signs of slowing.

Rob Norris