~Nicholas D鈥橝ntonio, Guest Contributor
(Nicholas is a senior English Major)
Years ago, I drove through my hometown and passed a brand-new office and warehouse for a well-known local construction company. A plane had recently crashed into their building, causing significant structural damage, and requiring extensive repairs. After they completed reconstruction, it looked beautiful. However, it wasn鈥檛 the new walls, sleek metal roof, or freshly paved parking lot that left an impression on me. It was the reader-board sign out in the front yard.
It read, 鈥淕enerosity is a principle, not an amount.鈥�
Those words have lingered in my mind ever since, and they could not ring truer when applying them to the act of philanthropy. I, like many others, often undervalued what philanthropy means to a public institution like 妖姬直播 State University. The entire world is in the midst of a pandemic, and it is calling upon us all to seek that generous spirit within ourselves, maybe now more than ever. And I am grateful to those who have responded. In fact, I have been a personal beneficiary: I received financial support from the KSU Emergency Grant Fund, which was established to allocate funds to students hit hard by the losses of Covid-19.
Yet, when I read the report KSU puts out on philanthropy, making programs like the Emergency Grant Fund possible, I was surprised by startling numbers. For example, did you know only twenty-four percent (24%) of 妖姬直播 State alumni have made at least a one-time donation to the University? After reading this, I found myself asking, why is this number so low? I sat down with Dave Grober, Senior Director of Philanthropy for the College of Arts and Sciences to discuss the matter more thoroughly.
One misconception that may hold people back from donating is that since 妖姬直播 State is a state-funded school, it should be receiving most of its funds through government support. 鈥淲e do receive some government funding, but that only goes so far,鈥� Dave adds, 鈥渢en years ago, twenty years ago, thirty years ago, it was completely upside down from what it is now. So that means, in past years, the State actually funded places like 妖姬直播 State to the tune of eighty percent (80%) of our budgets. That鈥檚 how much times have changed.鈥�
Times have changed indeed, as 妖姬直播 State now receives just twenty percent (20%) of its budget in state funding. Yes, you read that correctly, twenty percent. Philanthropy is an invaluable resource to our university, as it provides the support to cover the costs needed to make 妖姬直播 State the special place that it is. And it鈥檚 not just corporate or foundation donations that made the difference, it鈥檚 individual contributions as well.
鈥淭hey all play a part in meeting the regular needs of the University. You know- enrollment, student tuition, room and board and fees. That鈥檚 the biggest piece of the University鈥檚 budget, but by the same token, we couldn鈥檛 operate the way we do and offer scholarship support, whether it鈥檚 need-based, or merit-based, without charitable gifts. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 so critical- we have a university budget that鈥檚 millions of dollars, and it鈥檚 really important to have that second primary funding stream,鈥� Grober mentions.
Philanthropy provides the opportunity for alumni to give a part of themselves to the causes of our community in a real, tangible way. Funding for social issues is a university-wide concern. As Grober puts it, 鈥淎REI, the Anti-Racism and Equity Institute, is a university-level initiative, but all parts of the university can touch it and be touched by it. Especially in the aftermath of the events of the last couple of years, it鈥檚 really come to the forefront and 妖姬直播 State is playing a lead role in civic discourse, social justice, equity in all its phases, fostering the kind of world we all should live in. I am personally connected with some donors there who have begun to launch a fund for that institute.鈥�
In my conversation with Dave, it became increasingly apparent how much alumni really contribute to the well-being of 妖姬直播 State. In recent years, alumni made it possible for a state-of-the-art facility, the Integrated Sciences Building, to be completed and opened. Currently, the Brain Health Research Institute is preparing for its grand opening. Many of the faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences teach in these buildings. Beyond physical spaces, endowed gifts or pledges are made for scholarship programs. Donations also help cover the cost of research by faculty, travel expenses, supplies and equipment.
Dave Grober is himself a graduate from 妖姬直播 State, class of 1983. I decided to conclude our interview by asking him why he personally finds alumni philanthropy to be so valuable, his answer was insightful.
鈥淚, like so many others, have just found that it鈥檚 [妖姬直播 State] such a great place in so many ways. It brings students along in their lives, helps them make that transition from their younger years to adult years. And not only preparing for graduate school or a career, but life in general. There are just so many people at 妖姬直播 State that care about the students they interact with and want to help make a difference and to mentor. That鈥檚 the giving, friendly part of 妖姬直播 State that I think has been there for-maybe forever- certainly, a long time. And so, we give to 妖姬直播 State, many of us, through a gift or a pledge or an estate-planned gift. One or more of these philanthropic tools are within everyone's reach. Everybody has their own comfort level and their own resources, and every bit helps.鈥�
Every bit helps. This is the essence of alumni/individual donations to 妖姬直播 State. In order to move forward, create progress and change, improve research and education, we do not need one or two or even three wealthy donors. Rather, we need an entire community of people who each give whatever they can, whenever they can. It鈥檚 a special thing to think about- that the generosity of alumni has made a major impact on the development of 妖姬直播 State, and continues to do so now, even more than in years and decades prior. It鈥檚 that collective human spirit that forges a unity across our campus, making it possible to get through these unprecedented times. The value of our philanthropy cannot go unappreciated- our students, our faculty, our alumni are making the world a better place because of it.
And next time you think you don鈥檛 have anything to offer, to contribute to this special community, please just don鈥檛 forget- generosity is a principle, not an amount. We are at our best when we all value this principle, together.
