Sara Daum recognized for fundraising excellence

Sara Daum, Director of Philanthropic Engagement Strategy, was recently acknowledged with the CU Foundation’s McCord Excellence in Fundraising Award. She received the award during the CU Advancement All Hands Retreat on August 13. 

Since joining UCCS in 2022, Sara has transformed the university’s approach to annual giving through her strategic vision, collaborative spirit and meticulous attention to detail. That includes the creation of two major campaigns in the 2025 fiscal year — Carry the Light, UCCS’s first annual giving day, and CU Food Fight, a friendly and impactful competition with CU Denver to support students facing food insecurity. 

Both campaigns exceeded expectations and strengthened the culture of philanthropy across campus.

“My work here has always been driven by the opportunity to invest in our collective success, which is made easy by a team who is committed to doing things the right way and for the right reasons,” Sara said. “I’m especially proud of the holistic way we support UCCS students through our work, helping to ensure they have everything they need to build a beautiful future for themselves, their families, and ultimately this community.”

According to Sara’s nomination, her leadership style blends integrity, collaboration and a willingness to listen and learn. She is intentional about bringing the right people to the table, valuing their expertise and building consensus to achieve the best possible outcomes. Her ability to take complex initiatives, from portfolio management transitions to new fundraising strategies, and turn them into actionable plans has earned her the trust of colleagues across CU.

Named in honor of the late Charles McCord who led the CU Foundation from 1981 to 2000, the award recognizes employees who exemplify creativity, entrepreneurship, integrity, collegiality, loyalty and vision. An advancement professional from each campus and the central advancement office received recognition.