It’s that time of year again. Until midnight this evening, students and supporters alike will have the opportunity to participate in Houghton’s largest capital campaign of the year, the One Day Giving Challenge.
In past years, successful One Day Giving Challenges have brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars for student scholarships, building projects, and other important initiatives. What’s different about this year? “The stakes have been raised,” said Karl Sisson, Houghton’s Vice President for Advancement and External Relations. That means there are more money and prizes in the mix—and more chances to make a difference in the lives of fellow students.
“Last year we had a dollar-for-dollar matching challenge for the Student Scholarship Fund that went up to $185,000,” Sisson said,” and we ended up raising over $500,000 for the Scholarship Fund.” At the time of writing, the 2018 dollar-for-dollar matching challenge sat at $245,000, edging out last year’s challenge by $60,000. All gifts made to the Scholarship Fund go directly into student financial awards.
Don’t think you’ll be able to manage more than a dollar? According to Sisson, even the smallest gifts are still quite valuable. “We have another $200,000 in gifts that will be made to something other to the Student Scholarship Fund” if 1883 donors make a gift during the 24-hour period, Sisson explained. If successfully raised, most of those additional funds will be dedicated to IMPACT campaign projects like the Paine Science Center capital fund and various endowments. “In addition,” Sisson added, “a new $25,000 endowed scholarship will be created in the name of the alumni class with the greatest number of donors on Friday.”
This year, however, current students and parents will have an exciting extra incentive to donate to the scholarship fund. “President Mullen and her husband, Dr. Mills, are issuing a challenge to current students and parents,” Sisson said. “For any amount that is donated by a current student or parent, they’re going to make a $15 gift to the Student Scholarship Fund. There is no ceiling to that commitment. We’re hoping to raise several thousand dollars just because students are actively participating in the challenge,” Sisson added.
The Student Government Association, together with a variety of student leaders from across campus, will be turning the main floor of the Campus Center into a One Day Giving Challenge headquarters—or, as Sisson said, “basically a party.” According to Sisson, the event will feature “a ton of giveaways and gifts.” He specified that “students will be able to get everything from Mountain Dew to gift cards to Poblano’s cash” for making a donation of any amount. “It’s going to be a really fun atmosphere.”
“It starts midnight on Friday morning and goes until midnight on Saturday morning,” Sisson said. “Last year we raised over $800,000 total over 24 hours. We definitely have the ability to eclipse that this year.”
The event offers a valuable opportunity for students to support their classmates and friends, even if they only have a few dollars to spare. “The Student Scholarship Fund goes right back into students, so that is our priority,” Sisson shared. “What we need students to do is to advocate and encourage others,” Sisson urged. “We’d like them to encourage their friends, parents, and grandparents to help reach these pretty lofty goals we have set this year.” Students who wish to donate can navigate to www.houghton.edu/makeagift.