Alumni Associations Can Boost Engagement By Offering Exclusive Benefits

University alumni associations have long existed to foster lasting relationships with their graduates, sharing the success of the institution and organizing events with the hope that alumni will want to give back.

Of course, over the decades, alumni associations have expanded to become highly trusted sources of information on all things, producing more than newsletters and dinners. Yet according to the 2020 Voluntary Alumni Engagement in Support of Education (VAESE) Survey, most alumni organizations give themselves poor grades for member engagement.

• 90% of alumni professionals admit they “need to do more” to attract and engage their young alumni. (VAESE)
• 70% of organizations say their top goal is to increase alumni engagement, yet 27% of those admit to having no dedicated strategy to boost engagement. (the 27% is self-reported, so the real number is likely to be significantly higher) (VAESE )

What we’ve learned is that associations have higher rates of alumni engagement when they offer exclusive benefits for their members. Young alumni especially may be proud of their alma maters and grateful for their experiences, but when asked to pay association dues they’ll think, “What can you do for me?”

One answer can be, “Help you save time and money.”

Alumni associations can cultivate large memberships and it’s no secret that organizations with large memberships appeal to businesses. This “power in numbers” can be leveraged by associations to secure special access to products and services for their members. Businesses, eager to reach a captive audience, also provide associations with financial incentives for selecting them as a preferred or exclusive provider. Win-win.

Think of a product we all need: insurance. Anyone opening their auto insurance bill recently has seen their monthly premiums skyrocket as insurance carriers cope with record damage from storms, supply chain issues, thefts and inflation. What if alumni associations could connect their members with viable insurance alternatives to help members get the coverage they need?

Associations can provide added value to their members through a strategic partnership with VIU by HUB. A digital insurance brokerage platform, VIU offers the opportunity to shop for and buy personal insurance coverage – auto, home, condo, rental, life, pet – through a variety of carriers in a digital-first experience, supported by personalized live agent interactions and trusted advice. VIU’s platform can be integrated seamlessly into the systems of partners providing their members with a streamlined customer experience and helping to generate additional revenue to support association growth. And the partnership doesn’t end there. The VIU team continues to engage, manage and optimize the program alongside the partner well beyond the initial launch to ensure ongoing success and provides their members access to licensed insurance agents to answer any questions.

When alumni associations offer members support throughout their life’s journey, whether by saving them money on insurance or travel, arranging virtual networking sessions or providing volunteer opportunities, they’re more likely to stay engaged, renew their memberships and donate.

The more you give, the more you get. For a deeper dive into how a strategic partnership with VIU by HUB can help your alumni association, download our complimentary eBook. https://ow.ly/MJ9O50MVplz