Faculty & Staff Campaign 2026-2027
Your work truly is the pulse that keeps our campuses going. Because of you, every student can find their passions and pursue their dreams.
Throughout the year, you can show students you care in one more way. By participating in the annual Faculty & Staff Campaign, you can support scholarships, internships, study abroad experiences, and other parts of Grand Valley that inspire you. Together, our financial support is one more way we show our commitment to the students we serve.
Thank you for making last year's campaign a success!
Faculty and staff participation during the 2025-2026 Faculty and Staff Campaign reached 38%–up from 35% the previous year! Your advocacy truly makes a difference.
You can help us start this year's campaign of strong by making your gift now. Also, check out the final results of last year's campaign and where your department ended up!
Thank you for everything you do to support Grand Valley students, both inside and outside the classroom. We're looking forward to another great year!
A Proud Tradition of Giving
Faculty and staff giving at GVSU is a tradition more than four decades strong. The first formal campaign was launched in 1983 by Mary Seeger, a dedicated staff member who believed in the impact of employee philanthropy. Mary not only led the inaugural effort but continued to champion the cause well into her retirement as an integral member of the advisory cabinet for the Faculty & Staff Campaign.
Historically, our faculty and staff set the gold standard for university giving – help us keep this tradition alive!
Your Participation Matters
One of the most rewarding aspects of working at Grand Valley is the sense of community. The Faculty & Staff Campaign is not about the size of your gift – it's about the power of coming together. When you participate, you join a collective effort that demonstrates our shared commitment to the university’s mission and values.
Participation at any level sends a compelling message to students, alumni, and external donors: we believe in what we do here. It signals a vibrant, unified campus culture and often inspires larger gifts from individuals and organizations who want to support a community that invests in itself.
How and Where to Give
Payroll Deduction
Setting up a payroll deduction makes giving back even easier. You can customize how much and how often you want to give, starting at just $1 per pay period.
Endowed Funds
Currently, gifts made to endowed funds by full-time faculty or staff members qualify for a match from the university. Qualifying gifts are automatically matched at the end of the fiscal year and transferred into the endowed fund.
Major Campaigns
We host several major campaigns throughout the year – make your gift during ANY of these campaigns and it counts towards the Faculty & Staff Campaign. These are opportunities for your gift to make double the impact! Upcoming campaigns include:
Student Philanthropy Week
October 5-12, 2026
Giving Tuesday
December 1, 2026
Day of Giving
March 25, 2027
Not Sure Where to Start?
Find a fund that supports your specific interests or learn more about the university's giving priorities and highest areas of need.
Get More Involved!
Volunteer as a Campaign Champion
More than 90 faculty and staff members step up each year to serve as ambassadors, helping spread awareness and build momentum among their colleagues.
These volunteers, known as Campaign Champions, play a vital role in encouraging participation. They promote support for university scholarships, innovative programs, and capital projects that enhance the Grand Valley experience for everyone.
If you’re passionate about fostering a culture of philanthropy on campus, consider becoming a Campaign Champion. It’s a meaningful way to support what matters and to inspire others in your area to do the same.
Other Ways to Get Involved
Questions?
If you have any questions about the campaign, please contact Katrina Begrow.
Katrina Begrow '18
Annual Giving Manager, Campus Philanthropy
[email protected]