Demographic Data Policy

As a part of Butler’s Strategic Priority 5, Butler University is committed to fostering a vibrant community in which people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences are included. To help us achieve this goal, Butler University Advancement asks our donors to voluntarily provide demographic information when making a gift.

While we know anecdotally that we have a diverse community of alumni, donors, and friends, we do not have a full demographic picture. Collecting this information helps us advance Butler’s strategic priority to “create an intentionally diverse, inclusive, and equitable learning and working environment” and fulfill its mission to “create and foster a collaborative, stimulating intellectual learning environment… and enrich communities and prepare all learners to lead meaningful lives.”

In pursuit of these goals, we use demographic data in the following ways:

• Demographic data such as race/ethnicity, gender identification, and pronouns ensures that we are appropriately and respectfully addressing donors in print/digital communications, at University-sponsored events, and elsewhere.
• This data also assists us in communicating with alumni and donors about Butler’s affinity communities (i.e., the Black Alumni Association, Latinx Alumni Association, and LGBT Alumni Association), scholarship opportunities (i.e., the Black Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship), and other funding initiatives (i.e., the Hub for Black Affairs and Community Engagement).
• This data helps us in encouraging diverse applicant pools for Butler Community steering committees and other volunteer opportunities, so that current students see themselves reflected in our alumni and community groups.
• This data also aids in cultivating a connection and a sense of belonging for a diverse body of students, faculty and staff by connecting alumni and donors with students from historically underrepresented groups for the purpose of mentorship programs, internships, and other experiences.
• This data enables us to identify and develop giving initiatives in support of historically underrepresented groups.

Providing this demographic information is voluntary. All demographic information is private–for more information on how Butler University Advancement stores and uses donor information, please review our Donor Privacy Policy. Please contact University Advancement at 317-940-9469 or gifts@butler.edu if you would like to speak with someone about how and why we collect demographic information.