Goucher’s faculty and staff work tirelessly. And now there’s a chance to further demonstrate their investment in the college by giving financially.
“When I go to people and ask them for money, one of the first questions I get is ‘What about faculty and staff? Do they believe in the mission?’” according to Goucher President José Antonio Bowen. He’s on a mission to show they do, with a matching gift to motivate.
Alumnae/i giving is factored into U.S. News & World Report ranking, which prospective students use to choose which school they’ll attend. And potential donors look to the staff and faculty giving rates. “We have a poor record here, and that’s a national trend,” Bowen said. “But, we’ve made significant progress.” The current participation rate stands at 25 percent—more than doubling last year’s rate, with 146 donors out of an estimated 580 employees of the college—and we hope to achieve a 50 percent rate before the year is over.
For this fiscal year, faculty has had 45 donors, a 31 percent participation rate, and staff has had 101 donors, a 23 percent participation rate.
Bowen will match all gifts to the college from the faculty and staff—up to $10,000—with a gift to the Faculty & Staff Development & Travel Fund. Gifts of $10 and more will be counted toward the match. “You can show people you believe in what you do, and it’s about participation, not the size of the gift,” he said.
Provost Marc Roy said most of the money in the Faculty & Staff Development & Travel Fund that Bowen is supporting is spent on faculty attending conferences to present their research, but also to help faculty launch new research projects and staff pursue professional development.
But, if a donor’s heart lies with the library, Dance Department, leaderships programs, or anything else, he or she can specify that in the form. “You can donate to whatever you believe in,” said Amy Bloomberg, director of annual giving and donor relations. “We try to make it easy through payroll deduction and online giving.”
The campaign will run through the end of the fiscal year, ending on Tuesday, June 30. “Hopefully, you’ll make me pay,” Bowen said. “I think our students deserve it.”
Click here to make a gift.