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More than 700 Allegheny College supporters joined in making gifts on Dec. 1 for GivingTuesday, generating $308,523.94, including $120,000 in matching gifts from the Board of Trustees that will directly benefit Allegheny students in need through the Gator Success Grant program. Other areas of support included scholarships, the COVID-19 Emergency Fund, athletics, and academic programs.

The Gator Success Grant program provides Allegheny students with support ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars to address unanticipated financial needs. Students have received funds for computer replacement, emergency travel home, unexpected medical expenses, internship expenses, and other urgent needs. Ten additional students were able to graduate on time, thanks to the grants they received in 2020. More than 150 Allegheny students have received additional assistance through the Gator Success Grant program.

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement that was launched in 2012. To encourage support on GivingTuesday, the College’s Board of Trustees pledged to make an additional $200 contribution for each of the first 500 donors — up to $100,000 — on the day. When the initial goal was surpassed at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Board of Trustees issued a second challenge that brought an additional $20,000 in matching funds when 200 more individuals contributed before midnight.

“Allegheny is committed to helping students stay on the path to graduation, especially given the unexpected challenges many have faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Allegheny Vice President for Institutional Advancement Matt Stinson. “We are grateful for generous donors who stepped forward to make Allegheny students a priority and show them the extraordinary power and care of the Gator community around the world.”

This year marked the College’s inaugural GivingTuesday effort. In all, 709 GivingTuesday donors made gifts ranging from $5 to $20,000. Supporters included Allegheny alumni from almost every class ranging from the Class of 1944 to the Class of 2020, parents of current students and alumni, College employees, and other supporters.

When making their gifts, many donors included notes about why they were inspired to contribute. One graduate shared a memory from 50 years ago when she was beginning her Allegheny education: “I don’t have to imagine what it’s like to face an emergency need. I myself received $400 in such emergency grant money at the end of my first trimester in 1970. I remain appreciative!”

A 2002 graduate said that she made her gift in memory of her mother, a high school English teacher who recommended Allegheny to many of her students. “She saw the quality of my own education there and was in turn responsible for contributing to a new generation of Gators,” the alumna wrote.

Added a 2018 graduate: “I am SO excited to be able to donate to a program like the Gator Success Grants program! Allegheny students have definitely needed something like it for a while, and I hope it helps make life a little easier and less stressful for them!”

Visit the GivingTuesday website to watch a video message of appreciation from a few members of the Board of Trustees.