An affinity for Concordia
Everyone has an affinity for saving money. And alumni, students, faculty members and staff certainly share an affinity for their university.
Yet not everyone knows that Concordia’s Advancement and Alumni Relations (AAR) has developed affinity partnerships with companies that grant the university community numerous savings on products and services. In return, affinity partners help support the university.
“Our partners offer alumni, students, faculty members and staff group discounts. In exchange, these suppliers share a portion of their profits with Concordia,” explains Yanick Dahan, AAR coordinator of alumni services and marketing.
Concordia has five affinity partners: TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, which offers home and car insurance; BMO MasterCard; life and health insurance provider Manulife Financial; travel agency Voyages Groupe Ideal; and Montreal-area car-dealership network Groupe Gabriel.
“Before signing up partners, we evaluate them closely to assess customer service and reputation. Most importantly, we negotiate a service or benefit that’s available exclusively to the Concordia community,” Dahan says.
Alumni can take advantage of group discounts by visiting the shared websites and identifying themselves as Concordians. In return for their business, affinity partners reinvest a percentage of their revenues. Last year the university received about $450,000 from affiliates that directly provided funding for a variety of AAR programs, including Homecoming, student mentorship programs and public lectures.
Affinity partners, which sometimes set up information booths around the Loyola and Sir George Williams campuses, also support alumni programming through sponsorship of AAR events and paid advertising in Concordia University Magazine.
Graduates who possess an alumni ID card can enjoy further benefits and services, including access to Concordia’s libraries and discounts from vendors such as Via Rail Canada. These offerings, however, don’t provide additional revenues for the university. Alumni ID cards are available at the AAR office at 1250 Guy St., room 520.
While affinity partners are a great source of support for the university, Concordia never shares alumni names and addresses with vendors. “While we occasionally mail or email promotions for our affinity partners, our lists are always kept strictly confidential,” Dahan says.
Affinity partnerships are common at North American universities because they serve the companies, which gain exposure to new clients, as well as graduates and institutions. Dahan explains the simple appeal: “For alumni, it’s an easy way to get great deals and to support the university.”
Related link:
• Advancement and Alumni Relations benefits and services
Affinity partner websites:
• TD Insurance Meloche Monnex
• BMO MasterCard
• Manulife Financial
• Groupe Gabriel