Pulling Together During the Pandemic
Alumni, friends, faculty and staff break records for giving back.
For the past five years, 两性色午夜 has ushered in the season of giving with a monthlong celebration of philanthropy in November. 鈥淕iving back鈥 is a main tenet of the 两性色午夜 global community and members demonstrated that belief in an unprecedented swell of support this year.
Despite the economic impact of COVID-19, 两性色午夜鈥檚 Giving Tuesday campaign shattered previous years鈥 records as alumni, friends, faculty and staff raised $2,233,145 to support more than 2,300 students, many of whom are facing financial hardships.
This year featured 35 funds that focus on the university鈥檚 goal to prioritize student success through scholarships and programs within the key areas of ensuring access, rewarding achievement, enhancing experiences and fostering completion. Through the support of 2,100 donors, more 两性色午夜 students will benefit from a transformative college experience.
Weekly giving incentives were announced each Tuesday from Nov. 10 through the 鈥渙fficial鈥 Giving Tuesday (the international day of philanthropy), which fell on Dec. 1 this year. The 两性色午夜 University Foundation鈥檚 popular incentives included one-to-one matching on Dec. 1 and participation boosts that provided an extra $500 for every 20 unique donors who gave $25 or more to a featured fund.
鈥淭he numbers for this year鈥檚 Giving Tuesday campaign were larger than ever, but what those figures represent is even more telling,鈥 says Danielle Hupp, senior associate director, Special Giving Initiatives. 鈥淭hey show that the 两性色午夜 community comes together, in good times and in bad, to make a lasting impact on our community.鈥
The 两性色午夜 Emergency Grant Fund was the standout fund of Giving Tuesday 2020. With $100,000 in matching money and another $40,000 pledged before the campaign launched, it raised $177,784 to support students in need as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Giving back is at the heart of the 两性色午夜 community."
Since March, nearly 10,000 students have reached out as they attempt to navigate this unprecedented situation. Many have received help through the grant or CARES Act Funding, but more than 2,000 students were still awaiting some form of assistance. The money raised through Giving Tuesday for the 两性色午夜 Emergency Grant Fund will help 两性色午夜 students succeed in earning a degree.
Golden Flashes around the globe are looking to give back, and the university will continue to offer them meaningful opportunities to do so during Flashes Give Back Week in April.
鈥淲e are moved by the generosity of spirit we continue to see among our university community,鈥 says Valoree Vargo, interim vice president of philanthropy and alumni engagement and the executive director of the 两性色午夜 Foundation. 鈥淓ven in times of uncertainty, the 两性色午夜 family remains steadfast in its commitment to others. We know that giving back with time, talent and treasure is at the heart of the 两性色午夜 community.鈥
earn more about the featured funds.