FUNDING A FUTURE FOR 16¢ A DAY
By Dave Robertson, mba – FLC Alumni Association President
No group has been hit harder by the current economic squeeze than college-bound students in need of financial aid. Student loan programs have been sharply curtailed or eliminated, many parents are out of work, and part-time jobs normally available to college students are in short supply. At a time when much of the burden for funding academic scholarships and student stipends has shifted to alumni-funded programs, many of those being asked to give are facing financial challenges as well. By varying degrees, we’re all in the same boat.
The solution, however, is surprisingly simple. Rather than ask current alumni donors to give more money, we are asking a significantly larger number of potential donors to contribute a significantly smaller amount of money. . .16¢ a day as a matter of fact. A $5 donation will be collected monthly via electronic credit or debit card charge.
“The Fort Lewis 16 cent’r allows the law of large numbers to do its magic,” said Joe Mauro, Alumni Association Vice President. “A minimal monthly investment by an engaged alumni base will provide the Alumni Association with the funds necessary for much-needed scholarships for present and future Fort Lewis College students. These scholarships really do mean the difference between attending the Fort or not for many students and their families. I have been using this method of giving for years and it’s painless and for a great cause!”
Becoming a 16 ¢ent’r is easy:
I. Click www.fortlewis.edu/foundation
II. Click the ‘Make a Gift Online’ button at the top of the webpage.
III. Select ‘recurring gift’, then choose the length of time you wish to participate (selecting ‘perpetual monthly’ will spread your gift out monthly over a two year period or until your credit card expires – whichever comes first).
IV. Enter a monthly gift amount (minimum of $5 per month).
V. Select 16 Cent’r from the drop down menu, then select your desired fund in the 2nd drop down menu and follow the prompts – and you have just contributed to the success of current and future FLC students! Thank you!
According to Heather Knight (‘07), Alumni Association Board member, “When considering whether to participate in this campaign, I reached into my pocket, took out sixteen cents in change, and looked at it. Then I asked myself… based on the life experiences gained from my time on campus and the knowledge and practical skills I found in my business administration degree course work, is it worth sixteen cents a day to pass those opportunities on to others? For those who wish to duplicate this exercise, I’m certain you’ll reach the same conclusion.”
Author’s Note: For FLC alum with mathematics degrees, the daily contribution is 16.4384¢.