Penn State New Kensington, in conjunction with other Penn State campuses, is participating in a University-wide philanthropy initiative on Friday, Nov. 15. The third annual Penn State Day of Philanthropy is intended to raise awareness of private giving’s impact on the University and its students.
“These are challenging fiscal times for Penn State and for the New Kensington campus,” said Chancellor Kevin Snider. “Higher education is not supported at the same percentage as it was when many of us were in school. Our ability to continue being accessible is going to depend on scholarships, fellowships, paid internships and other programs designed to help struggling students through the burden of paying for higher education.“
Alumni and friends are encouraged to support the campus by giving online. By designating Penn State New Kensington, a donor's gift benefits the Future Fund at the campus. The Future Fund holds unrestricted gifts that are essential to the continued success of the campus. These funds provide flexible resources to address the campus’ most pressing needs and to create opportunities. This money is applied to areas with the greatest need, like student aid and academic initiatives.
Penn State Day of Philanthropy coincides with National Philanthropy Day, an annual event to acknowledge the role nonprofit and charity organizations play in the lives of individuals and communities. “National Philanthropy Day is a day intended to encourage individuals to support organizations that have a positive influence on their lives or communities,” said Rodney P. Kirsch, senior vice president for development and alumni relations. “So on Nov. 15, we ask Penn State alumni and friends to think about how the University has influenced their lives and to make a gift to ensure those same opportunities are available for future generations.”
Penn State Day of Philanthropy is a part of For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students, which is directed toward a shared vision of Penn State as the most comprehensive, student-centered research university in America. The campaign’s top priority is keeping a Penn State degree affordable for students and families. The For the Future campaign is the most ambitious effort of its kind in Penn State’s history, with the goal of securing $2 billion by 2014.
With less than seven months remaining, the campus is in the final stretch of the seven-year campaign. The campus goal of $3 million is well within reach, and Donna Speer, director of development, has called for the “Big Push” to get the campus past the established mark.
As of Nov. 1, the campus has received gifts and pledges totaling $2.612 million since the campaign began in July 2007. New Kensington has reached 87 percent of its goal. Overall, the University-wide campaign has raised $1.94 billion of its $2 billion goal.
“The campaign is about students and the community,” said Snider. “Our donors aren’t just making the dream of a Penn State degree a reality for students; they are also investing in the future of the Alle-Kiski Valley and Western Pennsylvania.”
For more information about the campus campaign, contact Donna Speer at 724-334-6057 or dms46@psu.edu.
For more information on the event or to give online, visit www.NOV15.psu.edu.