Riverdale Country School

Bronx, NY USA
Grades PK -12, Coed Day 

SAMPLE JUDGES' COMMENTS
Riverdale Country Day School highlighted why it's a thought leader in independent education. The variety of stories, both student and faculty, drew you in to learn how Riverdale is evolving to keep pace with the times and blaze a trail forward. The impact of the R+ campaign will allow Riverdale to continue its journey toward producing more globally aware students who learn their doing.

Long (10 minutes) and lovely video with first third giving the history, middle third showing how unique and wonderful Riverdale is today, and ending with the Head's observation that the R+ Campaign (which was only mentioned once, at 5 minutes in) was a success. Would this have been a video for a donor recognition event at the close of a campaign? Otherwise this was as much to promote admissions as fundraising.

TEAM
Lila Locksley, Communications Director
Brian Mihok, Videographer
Michael Flanagan, Visual Designer
Justin Liebergen, Animator
Dominic Randolph, Head of School

Tie for Silver

Cardigan Mountain School

Canaan, NH USA
Grades 6-19, Boys Boarding and Day 

SAMPLE JUDGES' COMMENTS
When I watched this video, I imagined myself sitting at Cardigan's Auction. I thought the video was incredibly inventive. School galas are integral to nonprofit fundraising and no different than a charity gala. This video absolutely captured my attention and would've encouraged me to raise my paddle!

Clever premise, dry sense of humor, and a glowing overview of the school (inside and out) leading to the dramatic conclusion: everyone is at the auction! Made me want to go, too. (Also love the LLBean boots on the astronaut — a nice touch that grounds him in New England!)

A creative astronaut landing at Cardigan Mountain School has us immediately intrigued. As the astronaut explores his new environment, the viewer gets a glimpse of the beautiful campus before realizing that life is gathered across campus. As we run with the astronaut toward humanity, we know that we are heading in the right direction and you want to see what is awaiting you at the "Out of This World" auction!

TEAM
Martin Grant, Assistant Director of Communications
Jessica Pecora, Development Associate

Tie for Silver

King’s Schools

Seattle, WA USA
Preschool-12, Coed Day 

SAMPLE JUDGES' COMMENTS
The value of King's education is highlighted through three compelling individual student stories. Each student took a different path to get to King's and had a unique experience while at King's. The thread tying each story together is the impact that King's teachers have on their students. I loved how each featured student writes a note of thanks and then how the video culminates with red "thank you" envelopes being placed in every teacher's classroom because at King's every teacher makes a positive impact. Creative and powerful. Well done, King's!

TEAM
Sally Ralston, Director of Marketing & Admissions
Erik Egerdahl, Videographer
Joclyn Kirton, Marketing Strategist
Esai Cruz, Videographer

St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School

Alexandria, VA USA
Grades JK-12, Coed Day

SAMPLE JUDGES' COMMENTS
The purpose — raising funds for faculty professional development — is beautifully clear. Excellent integration of off-campus scenes (one teacher's past work, another teacher's field trips) into the video. Nice quality, nice message. Donors really get to see how much their contributions have — and could — energized teachers.

Great tie into teachers work in the classroom and donor paid experiential opportunities to enhance their continued education for the betterment of the students.

TEAM
Mandi Sapp, Assistant Director of Communications, Digital Media and Marketing