The George Washington University will hold its first official Giving Day on April 7 in conjunction with the university’s ongoing bicentennial celebration, giving GW community members an opportunity to support student financial aid, university infrastructure and other areas of need. And the first $200,000 donated to scholarships will be matched by an anonymous donor—one among many community members who have chosen not only to make generous philanthropic gifts but also to multiply their fundraising for the GW causes they believe in.
In fact, anyone using the Giving Day donation platform—which goes live on Giving Day itself—will be able both to designate their philanthropic targets and to create challenges of their own that their own communities can join.
“We hope the platform will encourage members of the GW community to connect and have fun creating their own giving challenges,” said Donna Arbide, vice president of development and alumni relations. “Amplifying gifts this way is yet another mark of the GW community’s tremendous generosity and unique spirit.”
Scott and Missy Schiller, whose son Will is part of the GW class of 2022, are one family committed to a #GWGivingDay challenge of their own. The Schillers will double any Giving Day donations to the Store, GW’s free student-run food pantry, up to $10,000.
“The school has given so much to our son, both academically and personally, that we want to be able to say thank you in some way beyond tuition,” Ms. Schiller said. “Especially now, in the world, the need to help others is heightened.”
And as the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed new challenges on learners while exacerbating existing inequities, the Schillers said this Giving Day represents a particularly important moment to support students with the most need.
“Nobody should go hungry, but especially not a student,” Mr. Schiller said. “It should not be on their list of concerns.”
More than a dozen donors from across GW’s schools and affinity communities already have committed similar matches to programs they support, from specific areas of scholarship to school athletics. Ms. Arbide hopes many more will follow suit as Giving Day goes live.
“Donations of all sizes can and do make a concrete difference in the lives of our students and, through them, improve our community and our world,” she said. “That Giving Day is also a way for our families, alumni, faculty, staff and friends to connect with one another is a bonus. There’s no greater way to celebrate GW’s 200th birthday than by investing in our collective future.”
To hear more stories from students impacted by philanthropy and learn how you can help, please visit http://givingday.gwu.edu/
