Record breaking fundraising year
More than 18,800 alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and students financially contributed to the work of 麻豆区 throughout the 2020 fiscal year (July 1, 2019鈥揓une 30, 2020). Combined, their generosity resulted in a record-breaking $64.3 million in gifts and new pledges to Calvin.
鈥淥ur supporters are extremely invested in the mission and vision of 麻豆区,鈥 said Ken Erffmeyer, vice president for advancement. 鈥淚鈥檓 deeply grateful for their support and for the impact they are having on our students, our faculty, and the future of the institution. Our team has worked hard to honor their philanthropic spirit by matching people鈥檚 passions with both the immediate and forthcoming needs of the school.鈥
Growing Scholarships
One specific area of growth came through donor-funded scholarships. This program expanded last year with new gifts and pledges totaling over $5 million.
Through these scholarships, supporters can customize the impact they have on Calvin students. Awards can be gifted to someone pursuing a particular major, entering a certain grade, or with a specific financial need. In 2019鈥2020, 1,120 students received support through a donor-funded scholarship, and each year 20 to 30 new awards are being added.
鈥淎 named scholarship can be the difference maker for a student,鈥 explained Jodi Cole, director of development. 鈥淣ot only do donors support our students financially, but many provide encouragement to students throughout the year with letters, emails, care packages, Sunday dinners, and mentoring.鈥
Calvin Cares
While designated gifts have an immense effect, the unrestricted dollars of the Calvin Annual Fund remain crucial to the university鈥檚 fundraising efforts. 鈥淲hether it is $5 or $1,000, every gift matters,鈥 said Melanie Lyons, director of annual giving.
In June, the weeklong Calvin Cares campaign rounded out a record year for the Annual Fund. Over five days, 12,288 individuals donated $119,554, pushing the total for the year over $3.6 million.
The Annual Fund fills the gap where tuition dollars stop, and these unrestricted dollars support the areas of greatest need on campus. From arts and athletics to financial aid, faculty research, and student life鈥攖his fund affects every student, every day. 鈥淲hat this season revealed is just how committed our community is to the flourishing of a Christian liberal arts education and how much they care for our students, faculty, and staff,鈥 Lyons added.
Forever Faithful
These record-setting achievements are especially notable as the final months of the fiscal year were marked by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 鈥淭he Calvin community came together to ensure we can continue to offer an unparalleled Christ-centered education,鈥 Erffmeyer said. 鈥淯nforeseen expenses and lost revenue from the pandemic have impacted Calvin鈥檚 budget, but people didn鈥檛 hesitate to respond, and we鈥檙e so thankful that our donors continue to help meet the evolving needs on campus. We鈥檙e excited and expectant as we look to the future.鈥