What We Do
The Communications, Events, Donor Relations & Stewardship (CEDRS) team serves as an in-house creative agency that develops and implements strategies—in partnership with Institute stakeholders and aligned with MIT’s mission and values—to support donor engagement, fundraising, and stewardship while showcasing and building the MIT story of philanthropy.
Communications
Communications connects alumni and friends to MIT’s vision, impact, and exceptional community through comprehensive, multichannel content strategies and persuasive messaging that convey the MIT story of philanthropy. RD print and digital communications—including Spectrum, Gift Planning at MIT, and the Better World website—highlight MIT’s strengths, inspire donors through compelling stories and persuasive proposals, and amplify fundraising content via Institute partners to ensure it reaches the widest possible audience.
Design and Marketing
Design and Marketing advances MIT fundraising by creating audience-centered, data-driven, integrated marketing strategies that utilize print collateral, digital channels, and event experiences to inspire alumni and friends to give to the Institute. Aligned with MIT master branding, RD design is engaging, innovative, and accessible to current and prospective donors. RD marketing campaigns focus on donor cultivation and stewardship to inspire ongoing philanthropic support of the Institute. Digital marketing expands RD’s reach through our websites and social media channels.
Events
Events produces a robust mix of event experiences to support MIT fundraising priorities by fostering engagement with current and prospective donors managed by RD. Events are offered either in person or virtually. These include core, recurring RD events for donor cultivation and stewardship as well as small-scale, ad hoc, and bespoke events such as roundtables, salons, campus visits, and ceremonial gift agreement signings involving MIT faculty and senior leaders.
Donor Engagement and Stewardship
Donor Engagement and Stewardship engages and sustains donor constituencies to secure the pipeline of philanthropic support for MIT fundraising initiatives. Informed by data analysis and specialized research, stewardship and recognition activities—including individualized stewardship plans for leadership and principal gift donors—offer meaningful and timely information, access, and experiences that foster donors’ long-term connections with and ongoing support of the Institute; incorporate and elevate industry best practices; and provide tools and training for the MIT advancement community to ensure consistent stewardship outreach and engaging donor experiences.
