Huge Outpouring for Crowdfunding Supporting Students
December 10, 2020
In the seven months since Webster University’s crowdfunding platform launched, we
have raised an amazing $275,954 to support the community at Webster University.
The first two funds created in June supported students and staff financially impacted by the initial COVID-19 disruption and a large number of students who work as front-line responders while continuing their studies and juggling the extra burdens of the pandemic. These two funds alone raised over $130,000 in just two months to help ensure that our fellow Gorloks could return to classes in the fall.
Read more: recipients of Front-Line Responder Funds, in their own words:
Diverse Range of Supporters and Gifts
These funds have been supported by a cross section of alumni, friends, parents, faculty, staff and students. In total, by early December there were over 600 gifts generously given to six different funds, including over $16,000 of gifts from over 120 Webster alumni. Many of these donors have given for the first time.
As Chancellor Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble said, “Crowdfunding is an immediate way for members of our community to join with others to meet specific needs that are important to them. It allows everyone to provide just-in-time funds to address just-in-time needs.”
Currently there is one active, evergreen fund open for donations: Gifts to the Chancellor’s Vision Fund support a wide array of initiatives such as academic transition support for entering freshmen and transfer students, special programs for student veterans, online tutoring, student support technologies, and study abroad research scholarships.
More Funding Opportunities in 2021
If you would like to donate to a crowdfunding effort, watch webstergives.webster.edu in January when new funds to support student scholarships, athletic program needs, and other causes will launch.