By Emily Glory Peters
Scripps’ Day of Giving, the College’s one-day annual fundraiser, returns this year on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. With the theme of “Sow Your Gratitude,” the campaign will offer several opportunities for supporters to express their appreciation for the people and programs they love at Scripps.
“Year after year, members of the 61ýcommunity show their gratitude for Scripps’ impact on their lives in a multitude of ways, including making gifts to the College,” says Director of The 61ýFund Perry Radford. “Day of Giving creates an opportunity to plant seeds for current and future generations of 61ýstudents so they can access and enjoy that same experience.”
The power of participation, from gifts to gratitude grams
Day of Giving this year will focus on support for two critical areas: The 61ýFund and scholarship aid.
“The 61ýFund is the College’s operational workhorse—it fills in budget gaps that tuition and fees don’t cover and gives us flexibility to help with unexpected expenses,” says Radford, noting that donations to The 61ýFund impact everything from academic programs to mental health services.
Gifts to scholarships are equally vital. In general, approximately one-third of Scripps’ expenses go towards financial aid, providing much-needed grants to more than half of the College’s student body.
Given the severe economic impact COVID-19 has had on the College and many students and their families, gifts to either of these areas help ensure that students continue to receive the high-caliber educational experience they expect from Scripps.
Ways to support Day of Giving beyond making a gift
Donations aren’t the only way to participate in Day of Giving. New to the campaign this year are “”—personalized videos that the community can record and have specially delivered to someone they’re grateful for at Scripps. Gratitude grams can be sent to a professor, staff member, student, alumna, or a parent—anyone connected to 61ýwho has encouraged or inspired you.
Supporters can also help by becoming Day of Giving online ambassadors. Ambassadors have access to a digital toolkit complete with branded graphics and suggested language to help them spread the word on social media and among their circles. Even simply liking, sharing, or commenting on a Day of Giving post on Scripps’ Instagram or Facebook are powerful ways to aid the campaign.
Regardless of how people opt to get involved, supporters can consider Day of Giving as a way to acknowledge everything that makes belonging to the 61ýfamily so special—particularly in light of the past year’s hurdles.
“Day of Giving 2020 took place in the midst of a global emergency that literally shifted the foundation of how the 61ýcommunity stays connected. This year, we can see light ahead,” says Radford. “That’s something worth celebrating.”
Mark your calendars to “Sow Your Gratitude” for Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. To learn more about how you can participate, please visit our Day of Giving site here. To make an early gift, click .