Through making their own gifts and sharing personal stories, Pack Leaders rally their networks on Day of Giving to support the areas of NC State they care about most, proving that when one person leads, the Pack follows.

Hannah Willoughby’s
Heart for the Pack

Pack Leaders are all manner of alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and friends of the university who use personalized fundraising pages and invite their networks to support causes they care about at NC State. Hannah Willoughby ’13 is a young alumna who now works at the Wolfpack Club. Last year, Willoughby generated 71 gifts from 46 donors through her Pack Leader page. 

“It started with the Senior Class Gift Committee in college, which is passion-based giving, like Day of Giving,” Willoughby said. “It was my first time being involved in giving at the university level.”

The Senior Class Gift Committee encourages support for NC State’s more than one-hundred-year-old tradition, the Senior Campaign, in which new graduates have the opportunity to make a gift of $20.26 or more to a program that they’re passionate about. “NC State is still fresh on your mind,” she said. “I am still around campus. … I have firsthand experience of how all donations can be impactful.”

One of the most celebrated aspects of the Pack Leaders program is that it relies on personal connection – people being able to voice their experience about the school they love.

In her role at the Wolfpack Club, a non-profit that supports NC State athletics, Willoughby processes gifts and works with donors daily, teaching her that successful donor relationships are dependent on listening. “Listening to their interests … can help move the needle to encourage them to give to something they truly care about,” she said. “Following up after a gift is so important to show appreciation for the gift that was made and later expressing what impact it has had on NC State.”

That mindset carries through to her Pack Leader outreach. Instead of outright asking for a gift, Willoughby talks about why NC State matters to her and lets others decide if and how they want to show up. “Give it a go! You really have nothing to lose,” Willoughby reassured. “Sharing your story — and why you are supporting Day of Giving — will encourage others to as well.”

Steve Deaton’s
Story of Support

For Steve Deaton ’79, a longtime donor and NC State University Foundation Board of Directors member, the journey to deeper involvement began when he first encountered students confronting with financial insecurities.

“For me personally, learning that some of our students were struggling with food and housing was the one issue that made it no longer OK to let someone else take care of the problem. I felt compelled to do something,” he said. “In the beginning, I wasn’t sure exactly what that was, but it has evolved into a combination of personal giving and constant advocacy for solutions to these specific problems.” 

Deaton, who is also active with local basic-needs charities in Raleigh, sees strong parallels between community giving and fundraising as a Pack Leader. He was quick to admit that while asking for money can be uncomfortable, he loves talking about NC State. “Leadership in giving is always about some form of, ‘I feel passionate about this and here’s why I think this is a good place to invest my time and money,’” he said. “The objective in both cases is to give others the opportunity to decide for themselves.

“Whenever someone gives to a specific need, they want to know that their money is being put to good use. When a friend or acquaintance is already involved in working on the solution to that need, it gives that person the confidence to give alongside them,” said Deaton. 

To address one of the misconceptions people may have about giving, both Deaton and Willoughby agreed that small donations matter more than people often realize. 

“It’s just not true, especially during Day of Giving,” Willoughby emphasized. “There are a lot of challenges only based on the number of gifts. … By participating in these, colleges can unlock bonus money from big supporters, so all you have to do is make a gift. NC State is the leader in making the great state of North Carolina even greater — and you can be a part of that!” 

Becoming a Pack Leader

After signing up to be a Pack Leader, there are three simple steps. Make your own gift to an area at NC State you care about, share about it on your personal social media pages and why others should join you, and finally inspire others to give through your own personal giving link.

It takes an entire Pack to keep these opportunities strong. Make your mark this Day of Giving on March 25.