Official Launch of Insider Inbox
Ben Graves, Founder/CEO (left) and Grant Varner, Head of Sales (right) met in stealth with 150 AD's, head coach's & donors for nearly a year.
The Problem: Navigating the Growing Revenue Gap in College Athletics
August 22nd, 2024 - The shift to a revenue share model between athletes and institutions has significantly widened the financial gap in college athletics. While this new model empowers athletes, it also places immense pressure on athletic departments to find new revenue streams. This growing financial strain threatens the sustainability of the status quo of college athletics
Adding to this challenge is the increasing donor fatigue and confusion, as revealed in our interviews with over 150 major donors, AD, coaches and more. These donors are overwhelmed by frequent requests yet still seek meaningful engagement. Insider Inbox is our solution, designed to address these challenges by offering the top 20% of donors what they value most: exclusive insider access. Insider Inbox enables athletic programs to deepen relationships with their most crucial supporters and secure the necessary funds to thrive in this new era.
NCAA/Conference Distributions make up 28% of FBS revenue, with donor contributions at 22%. Engaging top donors is crucial to addressing the growing revenue gap.
The Revenue Challenge: Breaking Down the Numbers
As illustrated in the image, NCAA/Conference Distributions now account for 28% of FBS revenue, making it the largest single revenue stream. Close behind are donor contributions, which represent 22% of total revenues. Focusing on these top donors is essential to filling the revenue gap widened by NIL policies and growing financial demands.
Donor Fatigue: A Growing Concern
Donors are increasingly fatigued and confused by the constant demands placed on them. Our interviews with over 150 major donors revealed a clear trend: while they remain passionate about supporting their favorite programs, they are overwhelmed by the complexity and frequency of giving requests. The rise of the "mega donor" has only intensified this dynamic, with the top 20% of donors now contributing to 80% or more of total donations. In some programs, just 5% of sup porters account for up to 95% of donations. Insider Inbox is specifically designed to alleviate this fatigue by providing meaningful, ongoing engagement that keeps donors connected without overwhelming them. By focusing on these key contributors, athletic programs can ensure continued support and bridge the widening revenue-expenditure gap.
Impact on Non-Revenue and Olympic Sports
The growing revenue gap disproportionately affects non-revenue and Olympic sports, which are often the first to feel the financial squeeze. As funding tightens, these programs risk being sidelined or cut altogether. Insider Inbox helps to protect these vital programs by enabling athletic departments to maximize donor contributions, ensuring that all sports—regardless of revenue generation—can thrive.
Meeting the Demand for Insider Access
Head coaches are already providing insider access through locker room visits, team travel, banquets, and virtual calls. While effective, these methods are time- consuming. Insider Inbox streamlines this process, allowing coaches to deliver exclusive content and updates to top donors in just two minutes per week. You can think of us as "Cameo meets Teamworks but for donor engagement," providing personalized, behind-the-scenes access that satisfies donor cravings while allowing coaches to maintain focus on leading their teams.
Why Ben & Grant
After successfully selling RecruitSuite to Teamworks in 2021, Ben Graves, CEO and Founder of Insider Inbox, recognized the growing need for personalized communication within college athletics. His experience at RecruitSuite emphasized the critical role of tailored engagement in building strong supporter relationships. Grant Varner, Head of Sales at Insider Inbox, brings a wealth of experience from his time at Oracle Eloqua, where he met with hundreds of collegiate athletics departments to refine and enhance their marketing strategies. Together, Ben and Grant have crafted Insider Inbox to revolutionize donor engagement and support athletic departments in navigating this new financial landscape.
Looking Ahead
As we launch Insider Inbox, weʼre excited to announce several strategic partnerships, including a landmark 3-year agreement with a Power Four athletics department.
By focusing on the top 20% of donors, athletic departments can secure the funding and support necessary to succeed in todayʼs rapidly evolving landscape.
For more information on how Insider Inbox can revolutionize your donor engagement strategy, visit InsiderInbox.co or follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates.
