The George Washington University will hold its second official Giving Day on Wednesday, expanding a tradition that last year raised $970,000 from over 2,100 donors. In anticipation, more than 50 community members have already committed to match donations made that day to support student financial aid, university infrastructure and other areas of need--including trustee Ave Tucker, B.B.A. '77, who will match up to $350,000 in community donations made Wednesday.
GW Alumni Association President Christine Brown-Quinn, M.B.A. ’92, and her husband, Tom, primarily chose to donate because student support is important to them. Student aid and access is crucial to building the smartest, healthiest possible community at GW and beyond, Brown-Quinn said. In fact, trying to maintain a vibrant, world-changing academic community while limiting access only to students who can pay the full price of admission would be like “trying to build a car but leaving off a couple of wheels,” she said.
Brown-Quinn and Quinn also liked the way Giving Day temporarily narrows philanthropic focus to a limited set of solvable problems. And they liked the way the matching donation format encourages community participation and even, perhaps, a little healthy competition.
“I like that it’s something we’re doing together as a community,” she said. “Let’s have some fun around this—let’s cheer each other on and let’s also challenge each other.”
Their gift will be part of two important matches—$25,000 as part of the GWAA Executive Board match to inspire more donors to give and $25,000 as part of the match from the GW School of Business Dean’s Board of Advisors, of which she is a member. If raised, the total $50,000 sum will go toward graduate student aid in the School of Business.
“The business school is crucial in terms of shaping future leaders,” Brown-Quinn said. “We need a student body with different experiences, one that is diverse geographically, socioeconomically, ethnically, in terms of neurodiversity—across the board. That’s how you foster innovation and entrepreneurship.”
Simon Lee, M.S. ’05, is a School of Engineering and Applied Sciences alumnus. He and his wife Anna, who also are matching donors this year, are the parents of three more GW graduates: Julie Lee, M.S. ’05; Michelle Lee, B.S. ’05, M.S. ’08; and Philip Lee, M.S. ’06.
“For me, education is a lifelong process and a cornerstone of society,” Mr. Lee said. “When I give to student scholarships, I believe I am investing in the leaders of the future who will continue the tradition of giving.”
Michelle Rubin, B.A. ’91, chair of the GW Athletics Advisory Council and another member of the GWAA Executive Committee, will match donations up to $5,000, with the final donation going toward GW athletic initiatives. Like Brown-Quinn, she appreciates the way Giving Day harnesses GW’s competitive and philanthropic spirit.
“I'm honored to be able to be a part of engaging our community around our current student-athletes—to see the competitive nature of our alumni, parents and friends across the world still burning as bright as ever is thrilling to watch,” she said. “A display of discipline and excellence continues through the generosity of the thousands of donors who continue to make a commitment to all of our GW student-athletes. That’s what Giving Day is all about.”
The window for creating matching gifts is still open. Anyone using the Giving Day donation platform, which goes live April 6, will be able both to designate where their donations go and to create challenges of their own at whatever scale they and their communities want to take on. GW also will hold a Giving Day celebration in Kogan Plaza from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, when students, faculty and staff can make a gift, grab a snack, play games and connect with each other.
“Any size of donation can and does make a concrete difference in the lives of our students and, through them, improves our community and our world,” Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Donna Arbide said. “That Giving Day helps our families, alumni, faculty, staff and friends connect and reconnect with one another is a bonus.”
To hear more stories from students impacted by philanthropy and learn how you can help, please visit http://givingday.gwu.edu/.
