When she’s not in class, Amanda Conforto, AS ’07, spends a lot of time talking on the phone about UD, but she’s not socializing with friends and family—at least, not her own friends and family.

Instead, Conforto is one of 150 students who staff the Fund for Delaware, a telephone outreach and fundraising program designed to keep alumni, parents and friends informed about the University, keep contact records up-to-date, answer questions and seek financial support for UD. The program was established in 1982.

“Forty-eight percent of the funding needed to run the University for one year comes from private support,” Conforto, a psychology major, says. “Alumni may not realize the impact of their gift, and contacting them by phone allows us to share this information with them.

“Sometimes, we are the only connection an individual has with UD during the course of a year, and it’s important to share all the great things happening around campus. We also get a lot of questions, especially from parents, and are able to answer or direct them to the correct department or individual. It feels good to help.”

The fall campaign began Sept. 13 and ends in mid-December. Calling will resume during Winter Session and continue into the spring. Students make calls on Sunday afternoons and from 6-9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.
“This is not just a fundraising program,” Heather Barron, associate director of University development, says. “We are building and fostering relationships by keeping individuals connected with UD. It’s also important to maintain contact with our alumni and parents to keep our records up-to-date. With more than 134,000 alumni, that can be a hard task.”

Those who then choose to make a donation may direct their contributions to scholarships, colleges, libraries, student organizations, athletic or community service programs, building and construction or any of the many other University resources and programs.

Barron calls the Fund for Delaware workers “bright and enthusiastic students who are earning money to help pay for their educational expenses” while also gaining “résumé-building job experience.” Students selected to work in the program are trained to know about activities and programs going on at the University, including current initiatives and the financial needs and priorities of each college, Barron says, adding that the callers are eager to share that information. They also offer parents and alumni the chance to ask questions.

Parents often report that any concerns they had about their children were alleviated by hearing from the callers about their own experiences as students, Barron says.

“The point of making the call is to show that UD cares,” student caller Christine Dierickx, AS ’08, says. “I’m sure they get a lot of mail from us, but a phone call is a more personal way to tell them about UD, especially from a current student’s perspective.”