Big Give 1st-Ever for Maryland's Community College Students
LA PLATA, Md.—In an unprecedented show of support for the state's community colleges during a one-day online giving event, the College of Southern Maryland placed first among Maryland's 16 colleges with more than $23,000 given by 223 donors on Nov. 14.
"The outpouring of support across the state for all 16 community colleges with more than $62,000 given in total during the 24-hour Big Give demonstrates that our funders, partners and community truly believe in investing in education. The 659 donors across the state who took the time to invest in their community college, and particularly to the 223 partners for CSM, have my deepest appreciation," said CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried.
Responding to the student loan debt crisis and the need to raise funds for accessibility and degree completion, CSM united with Maryland's community colleges in the unique online event to raise funds and support, using social media tools for the more than half-million students they collectively educate each year.
"We cannot thank our Big Give donors and supporters enough. Their generosity and support made CSM No. 1 among community colleges in Maryland," said CSM Vice President of Advancement Michelle Goodwin. "All of Maryland's community college students came out as winners in this event, with more than $62,000 raised for all 16 of Maryland's community colleges. It is a real testament to our colleges and their respective foundations that we stand strong together to advocate for our students and we are looking forward to re-uniting next year in our second Big Give."
CSM finished first with $23,014 raised in 24 hours. "It is truly amazing! Every single donation was critical, and through the generosity of our community more scholarships will be available to CSM students, programs will be able to purchase much-needed equipment, and the CSM experience will be enhanced for the students, faculty and future attendees. We are so thankful for each person who is making 'CSM Strong for a Stronger Southern Maryland,'" Goodwin said.
CSM's online donors were able to support a variety of projects, including Student Life and Athletics, Workforce Development, STEM, Scholarships for Academic Degree Completion, CSM Adjunct Faculty Scholarships, Men's Soccer, Softball, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Lacrosse, National Society for Minorities in Hospitality, Theater Club, Black Student Union, CyberSecurity Club, Talons VEX Robotics, La Plata Student Association, Women's Volleyball, College Leaders of Southern Maryland and BACCHUS.
Donations were made online at mdbiggive.razoo.com through Razoo, a Washington, D.C.-based company that has helped thousands of nonprofits raise funds nationwide including CSM which participated with Washington, D.C. metropolitan non-profits as part of the Give to the Max challenge last fall.
Incentives for giving on Nov. 14 were provided by Big Give sponsors such as: Discovery Communications, Blackbaud, Maryland Chamber of Commerce, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO), Marrick Homes, University of Maryland Men's Lacrosse Team, Chesapeake Bayhawks Lacrosse Team, Maryland Association of Community Colleges, The Gazette Newspapers, Maryland Independent, Calvert Recorder and St. Mary's Enterprise.
For information about CSMs projects and scholarship opportunities, visit http://www.csmd.edu/Foundation.