Best of CASE District IV Award
 

Institution: University of Arkansas

Title of entry: University of Arkansas FundRAZOR: Maxine Miller Legacy Fund

About this entry: In May 2023, the Maxine Miller Legacy Fund set a new crowdfunding record by hitting 100% of its goal in just eight days, making it the most successful campaign ever on FundRAZOR, the official crowdfunding platform at the University of Arkansas (home of the Razorbacks). The Maxine Miller Legacy Fund was established in the name and memory of Maxine Miller, a groundbreaking business leader and pillar in the Northwest Arkansas community. As a 24-year-old single woman in 1950, Miller established Maxine's Tap Room, which remains a beloved location to university students and alumni. The fund, which supports scholarships, undergraduate research travel, graduate conference travel and mentor expenses in the university’s gender studies program, initially began about a year prior to the FundRAZOR by faculty and staff in the program, but it experienced little engagement. Staff in the Office of Engagement noticed a local article promoting the fund and approached the project leaders, believing it could be a good fit for a crowdfunding project due to the possibility of high peer-to-peer outreach, leveraging the networks of the project leaders, and the unique connection to the community. The campaign ran over the month of May to correspond with what would have been Maxine Miller’s 99th birthday. The messaging focused on celebrating her legacy and impact in the local community, and encouraged people to make a gift in her memory. With a stated goal of raising $10,000 in May, the campaign raised nearly $35,000 - 348% of the initial goal.