Trojans from 21 states and Canada came together to almost triple Troy University’s Giving Tuesday goal – providing scholarships and emergency relief to students.
“The generosity of the Trojan Nation knows no limits, and time and again they rise and respond to the needs of the University and its members,” said Walter Givhan, Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Economic Development. “It makes one proud to stand with all Trojans and give as we did on Giving Tuesday.”
Giving Tuesday, celebrated this year on May 5, is a global day of giving celebrated by all non-profits to encourage people to give back to organizations that have a special meaning to them. Troy University has participated in a Fall Giving Day program but never the Spring Giving Day Tuesday.
“It was a first-time event for our donors, and we had no idea what the reaction would be but knew our Troy Trojans are loyal and want to help when there is a need,” said Becky Watson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Development. She said they established a goal of $25,000 in 24 hours and the Troy community answered. Some $70,744 was given by 197 donors.
Donors could donate to any number of Troy University Foundation initiatives including the COVID-19 Emergency Fund set up to assist members of the TROY family experiencing financial hardship due to unexpected expenses related with transitioning to online learning, tuition assistance, rent, utilities, food, and other costs. Giving Tuesday supporters donated more than $16,500 to the fund that, to date, has provided emergency assistance to 245 students.
Another initiative was Online Tuition Scholarships, awarding scholarships of $1,000 this fall to help students struggling with paying online tuition. Sixteen scholarships were funded by Giving Tuesday donors, as well as additional gifts for general scholarship support, the Annual Fund, Athletics, Alumni and gifts to support academic programs within the units and colleges.
“These donations will begin changing lives today. This outpouring of support will help ease financial hardship for those hit hardest by the coronavirus, fund scholarships for students in need, support faculty and staff initiatives and so much more,” Givhan said.
