Graham School Fundraising Brochure
Connecting a legacy of learning with a call to secure its future
Project Summary
A fundraising brochure supporting the University of Chicago Graham School’s Basic Program of Liberal Education for Adults. The initiative sought to raise $5.25 million in endowment funds to support instructors, expand scholarships, strengthen the student experience, and improve the program’s long-term financial sustainability.
My Role
Creative Director / Senior Graphic Designer
The Challenge
The brochure needed to communicate a detailed fundraising plan while connecting with the community’s personal investment in the program. Readers needed to understand both the financial need and what their support would help preserve: exceptional instructors, meaningful relationships, and a longstanding tradition of lifelong learning.
The central challenge was balancing urgency with confidence, making the operating deficit clear while presenting a credible path toward a sustainable future.
The Creative Approach
A traditional visual style reflected the program’s history and resonated with its older audience. Pillar-shaped infographics organized the fundraising priorities and allocations, reinforcing the idea of building a strong foundation for the program’s future. Contemporary and historical photography connected readers with the people and legacy their gifts would support, while prominently featured “Why I Give” testimonials brought personal meaning to the appeal. Bold statements such as “This is your community” emphasized belonging and shared responsibility, and a clear callout of the operating deficit underscored the need for action.