Yale Alumni Association

The Yale Alumni Association (YAA) serves as the primary body connecting Yale University with its diverse and dynamic alumni network. Encompassing over 190,000 graduates worldwide, the YAA fosters a lifelong relationship between alumni and the university. It orchestrates various programs, events, and initiatives aimed at enriching the personal and professional lives of Yale alumni. Key activities include organizing reunions, regional club events, educational opportunities, career services, and community service endeavors. Additionally, YAA supports numerous affinity groups and shared interest groups that reflect Yale's commitment to inclusivity and diversity. By facilitating meaningful engagement, the Yale Alumni Association plays a pivotal role in sustaining the legacy and ongoing mission of Yale University.

Current opportunities for the YAA include:

1. Class Dues: Current budget model requires classes to solicit dues to help fund reunions and other events, but the participation and total dollars raised have continued to decline over several decades. What are the options for increasing participation and dollars raised or developing alternate business models to support events and programs that engage Yale College alumni through their class organizations?
2. Bringing Campus Events to Alumni: How might the YAA bring the energy of campus events, such as college teas, performances, and faculty talks, to the alumni community? How can they measure return on investment in terms of effectiveness and reach?
3. Making the Transition from Student to Alumni: How can the YAA best prepare students to make the transition to alumni status when they graduate and ensure that they understand the value of being involved with the YAA and its affiliated alumni organizations? How might the approach need to vary depending on whether the YAA is working with a Yale College or a Graduate & Professional audience?
4. Succession Planning and Transitioning for Volunteers: The YAA works with several hundred alumni organizations – Yale College classes, regional clubs, shared interest groups, learning & service organizations – all of which are more or less self-governing. How can staff best guide and encourage volunteer leaders to plan for their succession and to transition to new leadership at the appropriate time?
5. Alumni Benefits: The YAA offers a variety of benefits to alumni affiliates. How can they clarify the benefits and limitations of these so users know what to expect? How current are the YAA offerings compared to peer institutions?
6. Yale Alumni Magazine: Under the leadership of its new editor, YAM is preparing to conduct a large-scale alumni survey to better understand the evolving preferences of its diverse audience. How can a clear understanding of YAM’s reader segments, the competitive landscape, new technologies, and its unique value proposition improve the quality and effectiveness of the forthcoming survey?