On this episode of Talking Tactics, host Day chats with Stormie Harless and Reggie Hayes of Ball State University about one of the quirkiest—and most successful—Giving Day campaigns we've ever seen: letting donors name a goose. Yes, you read that right. This creative, low-cost tactic more than tripled gifts to the Ball State Fund, turning a fun gimmick into a strategic fundraising win. Learn how a "goose gang," Canva templates, and clever messaging made all the difference—and why sometimes a little silliness can have serious results.

Guest Names:
Stormie Harless, Senior Director of Annual Giving & Foundation Communications, Ball State University
Reggie Hayes, Assistant Director of Digital Engagement, Ball State University

Guest Socials:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stormieharless/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/reggiehayes/

Guest Bios: Stormie Harless has been at Ball State for over eight years and currently serves as the Senior Director of Annual Giving & Foundation Communications. She leads the university’s digital and annual giving teams, managing everything from web and social to blogs, emails, and fundraising campaigns.

Reggie Hayes graduated from Ball State University in 2019 and has worked on Stormie’s digital team at the Foundation for over 2 years as Assistant Director of Digital Engagement. The bulk of his responsibilities with the Foundation include creating content for the Ball State Alumni Association and Ball State University Foundation socials, newsletters, blog posts, and other external communication pieces.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Safaniya Stevenson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/safaniyastevenson/ 

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Talking Tactics is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.