April 27, 2009

GW SENIORS GIVE BACK IN RECORD NUMBERS

Alumni Match Supports Senior Class Gift Fundraising

Senior David Anderson knew he would face an uphill battle this year. Anderson, the 2009 Senior Class Gift coordinator, was looking to improve on last year's class fundraising, when a record 25% of seniors donated to help raise more than $26,000 for the GW Spirit Fund.

On April 22, Anderson and other members of the Senior Class Gift Committee presented Nelson Carbonell, SEAS BS '85, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees and chairman of the board's advancement committee, with a check for $53,333.86 from this year's graduating class. The 2009 committee not only doubled last year's fundraising, but they already have eclipsed the 26% senior giving mark.

Anderson believes part of the credit goes to GW alumni. To help build a culture of philanthropy among students and young alumni, the co-chairs of the Luther Rice Society, Alan Lafer, CCAS BA '77, and Laurie Lowe, CCAS BA '92, GWSB MTA '96, pledged $15,000 to match donations to the Senior Class Gift.

"The one-to-one match by Alan and Laurie is an essential piece of our campaign this year," said Anderson. "Even if a senior can only give a small amount, they know that their gift will have double the impact, which has pushed seniors to support the things they care about most with as much as they can afford.  It has also been a central point in demonstrating to seniors the importance that alumni play in University life."

"I was attracted to the idea of engaging students to give back as a way of acknowledging the value of the education they received," explained Lowe. "The strength and reputation of the University is communicated by its graduates. Improving alumni support is quite simply the most accessible way I can help improve what GW provides to incoming students."

The Class of 2009 not only surpassed last year's fundraising, but also has outperformed alumni in terms of giving percentage--10% of GW graduates gave to the University in fiscal year 2008. With graduation around the corner and seniors able to give through June 30, Anderson is confident the Class of 2009 can reach the 33% participation mark.

"I'm really thrilled by the excitement this has generated," said Lafer. "We want to develop a strong base for future growth in annual giving and philanthropy and want current students to know there are alumni out there that care about them. This matching grant it shows my commitment to current students; it's up to them to continue the tradition."

More information about the 2009 Senior Class Gift is available at http://www.gwu.edu/~srclass/. 

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