New $1 Million Momentum Challenge launched
A group of alumni, parents, and friends, inspired by the leadership and generosity of Susan Kettering Williamson '59, have stepped forward and offered a collective gift of $1 million toward Skidmore's highest needs if 12,500 other alumni, parents, and friends make a gift of any size to the College by May 31, 2011. The goal of "The $1 Million Momentum Challenge"is to increase the number of donors giving to Skidmore - continuing the message of the Williamson Challenge: that every gift matters.
Michael Casey, vice president for advancement, said, "This new challenge reaffirms one of our community's great strengths and that is the willingness of many individuals to work together for a common cause. These donors understand that Skidmore will only succeed if everyone steps forward to do her or his part. They know that we can all be philanthropists and that the important thing is not necessarily the amount someone gives but rather the act of giving itself. It is a truly wonderful part of our communal DNA."
Last year, Susan Kettering Williamson '59offered to add $1 million to her own gift if 10,000 alumni, parents, and friendsmade a gift of any size to Skidmore by May 31, 2010. The community responded in strong fashion as more than 11,000 individuals rose to the Challenge, raising the alumni participation rate over 38 percent.
The new challenge, if successful, will raise the alumni participation rate to 40 percent. External audiences often use alumni giving rates as a key indicator of alumni engagement and loyalty.
To help donors follow the Momentum, the College has a Web site and a Facebook page.
Alumni, parents, and friends of the College are urged to make a gift and help spread the word about the Momentum Challenge. Anyone willing to volunteer as a class agent to help spread the word should e-mail Paul Budlong, director of the annual fund.
