Participation goals surpassed in Westminster’s 2020 Giving Tuesday campaign

Alumni and friends of Westminster College responded to the nationwide Giving Tuesday challenge this year by generously donating to the New Wilmington, Pa., institution, surpassing last year’s successful campaign.

In a two-week challenge ending on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 1, potential donors were offered six different student-impact projects or funds to support through the crowdfunding platform GiveCampus.

By the end of Giving Tuesday, a total of 440 individuals—Westminster alumni, employees, parents, students and friends—had come together to support Westminster, surpassing the 370-donor goal, and raising $136,541, an increase of more than $76,000 from 2019’s campaign.

Participation goals were exceeded for each of the six projects, with the majority of donors contributing to the unrestricted Wherever Needed Most Fund, which can help anywhere, including the Westminster Scholarship Fund.

Other funding options included the Internship Fund, the Student Emergency Fund, the Student Food Pantry Fund, the Hoyt Science Lab Equipment Fund and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programming Fund.

Of the 440 donors, 86% were alumni and the GiveCampus platform allowed alumni to cheer on their alma mater by offering challenges and matches for classmates and other donors. Top alumni classes represented, based on participation, included the Class of 2017 in first place, the Class of 2012 in second place and the Class of 1973 in third place.

“We are so thankful for the generosity of those who contributed to our Giving Tuesday campaign,” said Kara Montgomery, senior director of alumni engagement. “These gifts have a direct impact on our students and help Westminster thrive.  The fact that they were made during such a challenging time, globally, is even more encouraging and speaks to the dedication of our alumni and friends.”

Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past eight years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity.

This year, the Giving Tuesday organization reported an unprecedented showing of giving, kindness and connection by millions of people worldwide. The GivingTuesday Data Commons estimates that 34.8 million people participated in GivingTuesday 2020, a 29% increase over 2019.

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