GVSU Day of Giving allows community members to give where it matters most to them

March 20 marks Grand Valley’s second Day of Giving. Lakers are encouraged to support funds across campus, including scholarships, academic programs, research, arts and more. 

Community members can increase the impact of their gifts through challenges, matching gifts, and the official Day of Giving video game, Louie Kart . Explore possible funds, matching and challenge gifts and track campaign progress on the Day of Giving website .

Gifts from Laker community members allowed Bibi Maria, a graduate student who is majoring in criminal justice, to secure housing during extreme circumstances. "I was almost homeless and didn’t know where to go,” Maria said.

Maria reached out to the Padnos International Center for help. As a result, she was able to secure permanent housing after receiving money from the Dean of Students Emergency Fund, which offers strategic support for students facing one-time financial hardships that, if not met, could cause a negative impact on their education.

Maria said the emergency fund lifted a weight from her shoulders. In February, she gave a presentation on the use of artificial intelligence in the criminal justice field at a conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. Maria said, “Because of the help I received from the international office and the emergency fund, I’ve been able to concentrate on my studies.”

Thanks to a generous gift from Len Van Popering ’92, gifts to the Dean of Students Emergency Fund will be matched up to $2,500 during Day of Giving. 

Laura Aikens, vice president for University Development, said when a community comes together, its collective generosity creates lasting change. 

"Every gift, no matter the size, helps provide students with critical resources, and last year our community showed up in truly meaningful ways on Day of Giving," Aikens said. "We can’t wait to see what kind of a difference we can make again this year."

Day of Giving celebrations:

• Students, faculty and staff can stop by Day of Giving cross-campus celebrations from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, in the Kirkhof Center lobby, Seidman Center lobby and the Cook-DeVos Center for Health. Stop by to enjoy games, food, GVSU giveaways and more. 
• The community is invited to stop at the GVSU Laker Store on Monroe from 4:30-6:30 p.m. for GVSU giveaways and the chance to shop for a cause; 10% of proceeds on March 20 will go toward the GVSU Access Fund. 
• The GVSU Young Alumni Council is hosting a Young Alumni Happy Hour on March 20 at Long Road Distillers from 5:30-7:30 p.m.  

– Annie Petitt is a student writer for University Communications.