University Community Supports #GivingTuesday

The global day of giving is a philanthropic kick-off to the holiday season and a chance to support GW.

December 2, 2013

Giving Tuesday

By Brittney Dunkins

The George Washington University community will round out the Black Friday shopping rush and the Cyber Monday tech frenzy with the second annual #GivingTuesday on Dec. 3, a global day of service, philanthropy and giving.

Students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff are encouraged to find ways to contribute to the university through service and donations.

“We hope to increase awareness of philanthropy and the impact that donors have among the GW community,” Associate Director of Annual Giving David Anderson said. “Whether it’s scholarships, academic departments, programs or service initiatives on campus, philanthropy has made and continues to make a difference.”

Launched in 2012 by the United Nations Foundation and 92Y, #GivingTuesday has grown to include more than 5,000 partners across the world. These partners, including the White House and a host of other nonprofit and for-profit entities, seek to mobilize communities to support nonprofit organizations and charities.

GW students are encouraged to give back by volunteering and spreading the word through social media, and members of the senior class are encouraged to designate their senior class gift in honor of #GivingTuesday. Faculty and staff across the university can show their support by making a gift of any size to the department, program or initiative of their choice.

“The GW experience, both in and out of the classroom, is made possible in part by philanthropy,” Assistant Director of Annual Giving Cynthia Figueroa said. “As a network of more than 250,000 alumni around the world and thousands of faculty, staff and students on campus, we are all part of this community, and #GivingTuesday is the perfect time to give back.”

Throughout the day on Tuesday, members of the Colonial Ambassadors, the Senior Class Gift Committee and other #GivingTuesday ambassadors will lead the on-campus celebration, highlighting the many #OnlyatGW moments that are made possible through giving, including the Alternative Breaks Program and other initiatives.

Alumnus Wesley Callahan, B.S. ’11, believes #GivingTuesday is a chance to reflect on the GW experience.

“I see my time at GW as one of the most important periods in my life and an experience that I can continue as an alumnus whether through career networking nights with seniors, attending basketball games or donating a little bit of every paycheck to scholarships and student aid,” Mr. Callahan said. “A culture of philanthropy is built into GW, and I can only hope that through my support and the support of the thousands of alumni and members of the university community, we can continue to provide new and better opportunities to students from around the world.”

Alumna Betsy Smith, B.B.A. ’09, agreed, adding that #GivingTuesday is not only a chance to give but a chance to get involved.

“I'm glad #GivingTuesday reminds all of us alumni to take action,” Ms. Smith said. “I had a fantastic undergraduate experience at GW, so I'm excited to have the opportunity to say thanks over social media and through a personal contribution.”