Franklin College’s 2023 Annual Day of Giving Announced

Franklin College will host its eleventh annual Day of Giving Challenge, #GivetoGRIZ, on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.

The money raised will support the Franklin Fund, which gives the college the opportunity to direct funds to parts of the budget that call for critical, immediate support. Donors may also choose to direct their gifts to a specific area of the college, such as student scholarships and financial support, engaged learning, diversity, equity and inclusion or faculty and programmatic support.

“All gifts have a significant impact because they allow us to match our ambitions with our goals, and our goals with resources for our students,” said Dana Cummings, vice president for institutional advancement. “GivetoGRIZ provides us with a unique opportunity to create a day filled with exciting events. It’s going to be a fun day to be a GRIZ.”

The goal is to raise $225,000 to support the college’s highest priorities through the Franklin Fund, with at least 1,000 donors making a gift on April 12.

Those wishing to give during #GivetoGRIZ will find the URL to do so via the college’s website, www.FranklinCollege.edu, and social media platforms during the 24-hour fundraising event.

The college is planning to use social media, especially Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, to market this 24-hour fundraising effort, as well as email and other college communication formats. Regional events will be in Franklin and Indianapolis, with other informal gatherings online and across the country. Alumni who are planning to host a gathering are encouraged to register their event with Jill Bode, director of annual giving and stewardship, at [email protected] so they can receive Grizzly swag and support.

There are multiple in-person events planned, including coffee with college faculty and staff at Main and Madison Market Café in Franklin and a campus-wide video shoot including students, faculty and staff.

Other events include an appearance on KORN Country radio (100.3 FM) by President Kerry Prather; lunch with Pulliam School of Journalism faculty members John Krull and Joel Cramer (Zoom); and a prime-time release on the college’s social media channels and Franklin College Connect of the campus-wide video featuring students, faculty and staff as well as iconic shots of campus and special guest appearances.

All events are open to the public and available for registration at alumni.franklincollege.edu/events. Prizes will be awarded throughout the day to donors.

The one-day giving challenge began in 2013 with a successful effort, earning the Division of Institutional Advancement a Silver Award in their district from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Each year the college has met and exceeded its goal. Last year was the most successful #GivetoGRIZ to date for the college, raising $298,840 from 1,228 donors.

Elwood Staffing and RepuCare are sponsors of the campaign. Those having questions about the one-day challenge or sponsorship opportunities may contact Lee Ann Jourdan, assistant vice president for alumni engagement and annual giving, by phone at (317) 738-8755 or email at [email protected].

Founded in 1834, Franklin College is a residential liberal arts and sciences institution located 20 minutes south of Indianapolis. Franklin offers a wide array of undergraduate majors as well as master’s degree programs in Physician Assistant Studies and Athletic Training. The unique curriculum merges classroom instruction with immersive experiences, research opportunities and study away programs. Students participate in 21 NCAA Division III sports, esports, Greek life, musical and theatre productions and more than 40 student organizations. As the first college in Indiana to become coeducational with the admission of women, Franklin welcomes diversity of thought, belief and person into a community that values equity and inclusion. Franklin College maintains a voluntary association with the American Baptist Churches USA. For more information, visit www.FranklinCollege.edu. Find Franklin College on Facebook and follow @FranklinCollege on Twitter.