The Citadel Foundation hosts second annual Giving Day to celebrate Corps Day, March 20

March 19, 2019March 19, 2019 Campus Life Featured

$250,000 challenge awarded if college reaches 1,500 donors in 24 hours

As Corps Day approaches, all members of The Citadel family will get a chance to showcase their Citadel pride by supporting The Citadel’s Giving Day tomorrow.

Conducted online primarily through social media, the fundraising event will take place for 24 hours on March 20, the 176^th anniversary of the first cadets reporting to the college.

If the goal of 1,500 donors is met by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Giving Day, the school will unlock a generous $250,000 challenge gift issued by The Citadel Foundation’s Board of Directors. Gifts of any amount from alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of the college will count toward the goal.

“The Citadel has made it possible for me to receive an amazing education, and The Citadel Foundation has made my experience as a cadet even greater because I will not have to graduate with the overwhelming weight of student debt on my shoulders,” said mechanical engineering major Cadet Peyton Campbell, a junior in Mike Company. “Thank you for your generous donations that have allowed me to have these wonderful opportunities as a cadet and to develop as a leader.”

The success of Giving Day relies on participants pushing out the campaign to their personal social networks to build momentum and gather support, organizers said. Participants have been asked to use the hashtag #JoinTheMarch when they share news of Giving Day to encourage others to give.

“Giving Day helps The Citadel provide exceptional educational opportunities to cadets,” said Jonathan Kresken, ’87, The Citadel Foundation’s vice president for legacy, class reunion and annual giving. “Private dollars given to The Citadel truly bridge the gap between tuition revenues and the actual cost of a Citadel education, ensuring students have access to a first-rate education in principled leadership.”

“More than anything, this is a participation campaign,” said Kresken, “so our goal is measured in donors rather than dollars. Getting people engaged in giving back is the ultimate goal.”

To learn more about Giving Day, please visit https://foundation.citadel.edu/givingday and plan to make a gift on Wednesday March 20.