EVERY GOOD STORY
NEEDS AN ARC
FUELING THE SPARK:
Inspiring Stewardship, Innovation,
and Impact with Utah State University
Utah State University (USU) has long demonstrated a deep commitment to exceptional stewardship, donor engagement, and alumni outreach driven by the generosity and loyalty of its supporters. Building on the success of our collaborative efforts—including the 2022 Create Your Aggie Impact Campaign Launch Event, the 2023 Campaign Event in Washington, D.C., the 2024 Campaign Event in Salt Lake City, and the 2025 Reach and Rise Athletics Campaign Event—The ARC Collaborative (ARCC) is excited to unveil The ARC of Gratitude, a suite of services that celebrates donor generosity with story, spirit, and sincerity. This suite of stewardship services is designed to strengthen and sustain these vital relationships.
Through creative engagement, personalized recognition, and cutting-edge technology, ARCC can partner with the USU Foundation to continue advancing its Culture for Philanthropy—ensuring that donors at every level feel valued, appreciated, and connected to the meaningful impact of their giving.
How The ARC Collaborative Bridges the Gap
As institutions like USU continue to expand their philanthropic efforts, they often face the challenge of managing an increasing volume of stewardship and engagement needs. ARCC serves as a trusted partner and valued extension of internal teams helping to fill resource gaps and ensure that every supporter, regardless of giving level, receives the attention, care, and recognition they deserve.
Grounded in a deep understanding of the philanthropic journey and the Donor Commitment Continuum, this concept brief outlines tailored strategies and services that complement and enhance USU’s stewardship plans. Alongside these strategies, we will provide specific examples and creative concepts to illustrate how these approaches can be implemented, helping the USU Foundation team continue to inspire generosity and build lasting, impactful connections across its donor community.
IT’S TIME TO GET PERSONAL
Donors don’t give with the expectation of receiving a gift; they give because they care deeply and want to feel connected to something greater than themselves.
At The ARC Collaborative, we work hand in hand with institutional partners to dream, design, and deliver bespoke expressions of appreciation that transcend the traditional. From commissioned art pieces that symbolize their ripple effect of giving, to handcrafted keepsakes that tell their personal story, to immersive experiences that bring donors closer to the university and initiatives they’ve helped shape—each creation is designed with care, creativity, and purpose.
These gifts do more than acknowledge generosity; they embody it. They serve as living narratives of gratitude—reminders of how individual commitment fuels collective progress. Thoughtfully conceived and beautifully executed, they reinforce the donor’s enduring connection to the institution while continuing to inspire others to give, engage, and believe in what’s possible.
Every gesture of gratitude should feel as distinctive as the person it honors—an intentional reflection of their journey, their values, and the lives they’ve touched.
CASE STUDY #1:
From Dream TO REALITY
This personalized coffee table book was created for each transformational donor who named a space within the new University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Designed as both a keepsake and a tribute, the book celebrates the extraordinary generosity that helped bring the hospital from vision to reality. Through vivid photography, compelling narrative, and thoughtful design, it tells the story of how hope, healing, and community came together to create a world-class facility for children and families across Iowa and beyond.
Three dynamic pop-up features capture pivotal moments in the hospital’s construction, adding a sense of wonder and dimension to the story of its creation. Each edition is custom-tailored to the individual donor, with personalized layouts that highlight their named space and recognize the unique role they and their family played in shaping this milestone project. More than a token of thanks, the book stands as a living testament to their impact—a tangible expression of gratitude that connects their generosity to every life touched within the hospital’s walls.
CASE STUDY #2:
STEADY AS THEY GO
A custom-illustrated children’s book was created in a timeless fairy tale style to celebrate the 60th wedding anniversary of two of the hospital’s most loyal and generous benefactors.
Blending whimsy and warmth, the book reimagines the couple’s life together as an enchanting story filled with love, laughter, and lasting impact. Through original illustrations and thoughtful storytelling, their journey unfolds like a modern-day fairy tale, capturing milestones from their early days on campus to the lifelong connection they have maintained with their beloved alma mater and the children’s hospital they continue to champion.
Each page is rich with symbolism and sentiment, weaving in meaningful details that reflect their shared values, generosity, and the joy they have brought to others through decades of giving. More than a commemorative gift, the book serves as both a heartfelt tribute and a legacy piece. It is a creative expression of gratitude that honors their enduring partnership, celebrates their story, and inspires future generations to continue their tradition of generosity and care.
SPARKS
OF STEWARDSHIP
At ARC Collaborative, we believe that meaningful stewardship is both an art and a strategy—one that honors generosity, tells stories of impact, and inspires continued connection. The solutions we’re introducing are designed to move beyond traditional acknowledgment and toward innovative, creative experiences that cultivate genuine, lasting engagement. Each offering represents a spark of strategic stewardship—demonstrating what’s possible when good ideas are guided by intention, collaboration, and thoughtful execution. Together, these sparks bring stewardship to life in ways that deepen relationships, celebrate commitment, and create the conditions for sustained and inspired giving.
SPARK #1
Legacy in Focus: Honoring a Journey of Generosity
Before your next event, develop a short documentary or written profile that captures the heart of your honoree’s philanthropic journey: their motivations, milestones, and the lives they’ve touched along the way. This story can be brought to life digitally through a beautifully produced short film or interactive online feature, and in print through an elegant, keepsake profile or booklet to be shared at events or with family and friends.
More than a tribute, this approach preserves the honoree’s legacy in a way that is both personal and enduring, celebrating their generosity while inspiring others to follow their example. By blending digital storytelling with tangible, lasting materials, you create a multidimensional experience that connects emotion, impact, and inspiration for years to come.
SPARK #2
The Giving Lens: Immersive Stories of ImpacT
Bring donors closer to the heart of your campus through interactive and emotional experiences that bridge distance with connection. One example is the use of customized virtual reality glasses to transport donors into the places where “their generosity makes an impact—inside research labs, classrooms, studios, and campus spaces. Through guided, story-driven video tours hosted by students, faculty, and university leaders, donors can explore the life and energy of campus as if they were there in person. This experience creates a powerful sense of belonging and reinforces the tangible outcomes of their giving, deepening their connection to the people and programs they support.
SPARK #3
PHILANTHROPY SUMMIT:
A Curated Journey of Engagement and Inspiration
The Philanthropy Summit is a signature experience designed to celebrate and showcase the transformative power of giving at the university. Through immersive storytelling and engaging experiences, the event highlights the people, programs, and places most profoundly shaped by donor generosity demonstrating how philanthropy continues to drive innovation, discovery, and impact across campus.
Curated for a select group of visionary donors and key prospects ready to take their next step in giving, this exclusive gathering combines inspiring storytelling with innovative technology to create a deeply personal and memorable experience. The program unfolds as a progressive journey across campus, guiding guests through multiple impact locations—labs, learning spaces, performance venues, and community hubs—each revealing a unique story of transformation and progress.
Throughout the Summit, guests will enjoy numerous opportunities to connect and socialize with one another as well as with university leadership, faculty, students, and staff. These conversations create meaningful connections, foster a sense of community, and reinforce the shared commitment to the university’s mission and future.
To extend the experience beyond the event, a dedicated video team will document the Summit, capturing its energy, stories, and key moments. A post-event recap video will then be shared with attendees, allowing them to revisit the experience and share it with their families and other potential supporters.
Guests will also receive a thoughtfully curated swag bag featuring university-branded materials and story-driven content that express gratitude and celebrate the tangible outcomes of philanthropy.
The Philanthropy Summit is more than an event: it’s an experience that celebrates impact, inspires engagement, and strengthens the community of supporters who make it all possible.
SPARK #4
CUSTOMIZED DONOR REPORTS
Bring your donors’ generosity to life with personalized stewardship reports that go far beyond the numbers. Each report captures the unique story of a donor’s impact, featuring tailored metrics, moving testimonials from beneficiaries, and vibrant visuals that illustrate the tangible outcomes of their generosity.
Over time, these annual volumes form a personal library of legacy—a collection that documents the ongoing story of compassion, innovation, and impact. Together, they stand as a lasting tribute to the donor’s enduring partnership in advancing children’s health and shaping a brighter future for generations to come.
CASE STUDY #3:
IMPACT 18
Each year, a stunning full-color, hardcover book is created to honor the transformational lead donor of the Children’s Hospital—a keepsake that beautifully chronicles the profound impact of their generosity. More than a report, this volume serves as a visual and emotional journey through the lives touched by their support.
The pages come alive with powerful stories of healing and hope, vivid photography, and personal reflections from patients, families, and caregivers whose lives were changed. Alongside these heartfelt narratives, the book highlights the innovative programs, breakthrough research, and vital areas of care made possible through the donor’s contributions.
SPARK #5
StoryCraft: Where Generosity Finds Its Voice
Ignite the power of personal narrative through immersive storytelling experiences that bring together donors, beneficiaries, and the USU community. These interactive workshops invite participants to uncover the heart behind their giving, transforming impact into story and generosity into legacy.
Guided by expert facilitators, donors are inspired to shape and share their own stories of purpose, exploring the emotions and motivations that fuel their philanthropy. At the same time, beneficiaries lend their voices to reveal the real, human impact of that generosity, creating a tapestry of shared experience and transformation.
Each exchange becomes more than a moment: it becomes a living record of connection and compassion. Through video capture and creative documentation, these stories evolve into powerful legacy content that can inspire future campaigns, celebrate milestones, and amplify the university’s mission for years to come.
The result is a deeply human dialogue that builds empathy, strengthens relationships, and celebrates the extraordinary ways giving shapes lives on both sides of the story.
The Legacy Libraries initiative transforms donor recognition into a living, breathing experience celebrating the visionaries whose generosity has shaped an institutions enduring culture of excellence and philanthropy.
Through thoughtfully curated digital and physical archives, these libraries preserve the stories, milestones, and impact an institutions most influential donors. Each narrative becomes part of a “Hall of Fame for Philanthropy”— a place where gratitude, legacy, and inspiration converge.
More than an archive, the Legacy Libraries are designed to come alive across the institution. These digital collections can be featured on honor walls, social media, and interactive kiosks at events and venues throughout campus allowing the spirit of giving to be seen, felt, and celebrated by all. Development officers can also integrate these stories into donor conversations, using them to reinforce institutional priorities and illustrate the lasting influence of philanthropic partnerships.
By blending storytelling with visibility, the Legacy Libraries create an evolving tapestry of generosity—a resource that not only honors the past but inspires the next generation of benefactors to continue shaping the future.
CASE STUDY #4:
THE GIVERS
Designed in the sophisticated, narrative-rich style of the Hollywood Issue of Vanity Fair, Iowa’s special publication, The Givers blended journalistic storytelling with elegant design to honor and celebrate the extraordinary donors who fueled For Iowa. Forever More: The Campaign for the University of Iowa. With its lush photography, captivating profiles, and refined editorial tone, the piece offered readers an immersive look into the people and passions driving transformational change across the university.
From visionary leaders whose bold investments redefined what was possible, to siblings who collected spare change in memory of a beloved sister lost to cancer, The Givers captured the extraordinary range and depth of generosity within the Hawkeye community. Each story served as a testament to the belief that impact is born not only from great wealth but from great heart.
Through powerful storytelling and evocative imagery, the publication illuminated how acts of giving—large and small—intertwine to shape a stronger, more compassionate future for Iowa. More than a campaign retrospective, The Givers stands as a tribute to the spirit of togetherness that defines the university and a lasting celebration of the people who make progress possible.
SPARK #6
BRIDGES OF CONNECTION: Givers and Lives Transformed
At the heart of every gift lies a story—one that connects generosity with transformation. Bridges of Connection brings those stories to life, uniting donors with the very individuals whose lives have been changed through their support. Whether through live storytelling events or documentary-style video series, these experiences illuminate the direct line between giving and impact.
Each showcase becomes a celebration of possibility:
A patient whose recovery was made possible by a breakthrough treatment funded through donor-backed research.
A first-generation student whose scholarship opened the door to a college education and a future once out of reach.
An artist whose talent reached international audiences because a supporter believed in their potential and covered their journey.
These encounters transform gratitude into shared purpose. Donors witness firsthand how their generosity fuels progress, innovation, and hope while recipients have the chance to express the profound difference that support has made in their lives.
Over time, Bridges of Connection evolves into a living archive of impact—a collection of stories that capture the essence of philanthropy’s cause and effect. Whether presented on stage or through cinematic storytelling, these moments remind us that every act of giving creates a lasting bridge between compassion and change that not only celebrates today’s acts of generosity but also shines a light for future generations of donors.
SPARK #7
Legacy Libraries:
Documenting the Legacy of Giving for Future Generations
Clemson University
University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System
Kings College London
Igniting What Comes Next
Ultimately, The ARC Collaborative’s goal is to help Utah State University foster enduring relationships that extend far beyond transactional giving. Through The ARC of Gratitude, we combine personalized stewardship, creative storytelling, and meaningful engagement to ensure donors feel genuinely valued, heard, and deeply connected to USU’s mission.
Building on our successful partnership with USU, ARCC is proud to present a comprehensive suite of stewardship services designed to elevate donor engagement. By integrating bespoke recognition experiences, narrative-driven communications, and immersive touchpoints, we can deepen connections with USU’s community of supporters ensuring their legacy of generosity continues to inspire for years to come.
We value our partnership and our role in supporting Utah State University as an extension of your exceptional team, helping strengthen your culture for philanthropy. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together in creating engaging, meaningful events, and we’re excited to explore how we can bring that same success to your stewardship
LET’S SPARC SOMETHING TOGETHER.
SETH FRIEDMAN
Email: sfriedman@thearccollaborative.com
Phone: (319) 294-9560
Website: www.thearccollaborative.com
Location: 2037 North Towne Ln NE, Cedar Rapids, IA. 52402