Each December, the Ford School takes part in a global day of philanthropy known as Giving Tuesday. Following the traditional gift buying days of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is meant to serve as a reminder that, amidst the holiday season, there are ways to show support and care for our community that don't come in wrapping paper.
While collegiate philanthropy is often thought of as something done only by those who have their names on a building, giving days are proof that this school is built around a community of peers. They are a testament to the belief that when large groups of caring individuals come together, they can bring about real and immediate change.
What has often made Giving Tuesday extra special for us at the Ford School is that we tend to use it as an opportunity to fundraise for the departments that don't always have an opportunity center stage. This year, the Ford School spent the day highlighting the impact of the Leadership Initiative, and specifically the leadership coaching sessions they provide. Our goal for the day was to raise $3,000 so that leadership coaches could expand their hours and offer their services to our new cohort of Online MPA students. By the time the clock struck midnight and the day came to a close, we had raised nearly $4,000 from over two dozen donors!
At face value, it can feel like a small goal at a university as large as ours. But what makes the Ford School so special is not the impact that we can achieve with immense wealth, but rather the immense impact we can bring about with just our determination, intellect, and the support of our community. In making this one opportunity available to more students, we're making further progress in providing them with the strategic thinking and strong communication skills necessary to enact positive change in their classrooms and in communities all across the globe.
On a personal level, days like this are such a great reminder of all the talent and knowledge that reside within Weill Hall. While I may work at a university, I am not an educator, I am not a student, nor am I a researcher. But days like Giving Tuesday, along with U-M's Giving Blueday (happening this year on March 18th!), provide me with the opportunity to work alongside people who are. These projects require weeks of work in partnership with the people who make this school so wonderful and I could not feel more privileged to do so. Whether they be students, faculty, or staff the development office is fortunate to have so many great partners across the school who bring fantastic insight and enthusiasm to our work.
It is often said that decisions are made by those who show up and speak out. That process begins with having leaders with competence and confidence. As we reflect on Giving Tuesday and look towards Giving Blueday, it fills me with hope knowing Ford School donors understand this vision and are eager to show up and support the work that we all do.
Written by: Evan Taylor, leadership annual gift officer at the Ford School. He graduated from Michigan in 2021 with a BA in political science.
