With the launch of its 2019 Giving Tuesday campaign on Nov. 1, Kent State University has again transformed a one-day fundraising initiative into a monthlong giving campaign to support student scholarships, expanded programs, study away initiatives and modern facilities. Today, Kent State President Todd Diacon made a “groovy” announcement on behalf of the Kent State University Foundation. Watch the video here. On Dec. 3, the global Giving Tuesday, the foundation has pledged $100,000 to match gifts one-to-one up to $1,000 each, and these matching dollars can apply to any foundation fund in the university network.
This year’s Giving Tuesday campaign has attracted more early support than ever before with dozens of donors providing matching dollars for more than 40 featured funds. In fact, one fund has even attracted celebrity attention. The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation has generously pledged $10,000 to match all gifts to the Male Empowerment Network (M.E.N.) Fund. This fund provides support in the academic, professional, personal and social development of male-identifying students of color at Kent State. Steve Harvey is a Kent State alumnus.
Members of the Kent State Board of Trustees and Foundation Board have also pledged their private support to inspire others to give. These dollars will be used for new completion incentives, providing a bonus $400 for funds that meet their stated goal and closing the gap for funds that are within $300 of their fundraising goal when the campaign ends at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
“Seeing the continued support for our Giving Tuesday initiative is moving because of the meaningful impact it has in many different areas throughout our university,” said Stephen Sokany, vice president for institutional advancement at Kent State and executive director of the Kent State University Foundation. “This demonstrates – in a very tangible way – that when our Kent State family and friends come together, we can be a force for good in our communities, our nation and around the world. Our donors recognize the potential of the students here, and their generosity helps us continue to exceed expectations as a leader in higher education.”
There are more than 40 featured giving options during this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign, and each one has a matching gift available so donors can double the impact that their gift makes. The campaign includes a crowdfunding feature, allowing students, faculty, staff and other supporters to create individual peer-to-peer fundraising pages for the cause of their choice. Plus, for every 15 unique donors who give $25 or more to one of the featured funds, the Kent State University Foundation will award a $500 participation boost.
The Giving Tuesday initiative also provides exposure for distinctive funds at Kent State, including the May 4 Scholarship fund. This fund seeks to honor the memories of Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer and William Schroeder. The goal is to build the scholarship fund large enough to endow four scholarships, one in the name of each student who perished on May 4, 1970. In turn, these scholarships will be awarded to students in the new School of Peace and Conflict Studies.
The impact generated by Kent State’s Giving Tuesday celebration not only supports collegiate students, but it also reaches young students in surrounding communities. The Rising Scholars Program on each Regional Campus combines mentorship from Kent State students with assistance from local communities to aid middle school students. Beginning in the seventh grade, students have a support system to prepare them for life after high school. Students who commit to the program have access to a fully funded college education at a Kent State Regional Campus after graduation.
“We call Giving Tuesday our most generous annual tradition because our supporters throughout the world come together to raise funds that directly affect our students,” said Danielle Hupp, senior associate director with Kent State’s Special Giving Initiatives. “Through this campaign, we can highlight the countless opportunities that make Kent State distinctive while empowering our donors to give to the fund that matters most to them. They might think they are providing books for a semester or a study away experience for a summer – and they are. But they are also providing transformative experiences that impact our students for a lifetime.”
Kent State’s Giving Tuesday celebration began Nov. 1 and will run through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Information on all the Giving Tuesday initiatives and the presidential announcement video can be found at www.kent.edu/givingtuesday.
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Media Contacts:
Danielle Hupp, drhupp@kent.edu, 330-672-9507
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797