Ever Onward - Prelude.Agency

The Ask

To develop and execute a comprehensive strategy to launch the largest capital campaign in KU’s history, ensuring it resonated with diverse audiences, increased engagement, and exceeded fundraising goals.

Defining the Vision

To achieve the ambitious goals of the Ever Onward campaign, we focused on creating a unified strategy and message that reflected the transformative impact of giving to KU. By emphasizing storytelling and aligning creative elements with the campaign’s bold vision, we sought to inspire alumni and donors to invest in the future of the university.

The Approach

A cohesive campaign strategy and execution across multiple touchpoints.

Crafting the Message

The messaging for Ever Onward captured the essence of KU’s mission and aspirations. By highlighting the tangible impact of donations—from funding innovative cancer research to supporting student scholarships—we created a narrative that connected emotionally with donors while emphasizing the campaign’s transformative goals.

Designing a Bold Campaign

The campaign’s visual identity combined elegance with energy, using dynamic layouts, vibrant imagery, and typography that reflected KU’s enduring legacy. The design system was applied across a range of materials, including digital assets, event collateral, and a dedicated campaign website.

Building the Digital Platform

The Ever Onward website became the campaign’s digital home, designed to inspire engagement and simplify the giving process. The site featured compelling storytelling, clear calls to action, and a seamless user experience, ensuring it resonated with donors of all levels.

Revealing the Campaign with Impact

The campaign launched with a high-energy kick-off event attended by over 650 alumni and supporters. Featuring impactful visuals, a dynamic program, and video storytelling, the event successfully unveiled the campaign’s mission and galvanized attendees to take action.

The Impact

The Ever Onward campaign launched with a wave of excitement and engagement. The kickoff event set the tone for the campaign’s success, and to date, it has raised 85% of its $2.5 billion goal—well ahead of schedule and on track to exceed expectations. The campaign’s design, messaging, and digital platform have driven increased engagement and donations, cementing its impact on the University of Kansas for years to come.