Myths About Giving: True or False?

1) My one gift won’t make that much difference.
False. We often say that every gift counts no matter the size, and it’s really true. Alumni participation is one of the most important measures for collegiate rankings and foundation gifts, as both consider the level of participation evidence of quality and institutional vitality. Last year 23.62% of alumni participated in giving!

2) Tuition and school loans pay for education—Grove City doesn’t need my donation.
False. Did you know that tuition dollars do not cover the entire cost of a Grove City College experience? We rely on private donations—not federal or state funding—to fill the gap. That said, we realize that many of our alumni are in the process of paying off school loans, and that is why we concentrate on alumni participation in giving at whatever gift level is comfortable.

3) The College keeps asking me for money every single year.
True.  We are truly excited to have received gifts from more than 1,290 new donors this year, but the programs that are funded by Full Circle need support every year. Also, for us to increase our alumni participation, we need everyone who gave last year to give again. If you’ve already come on board as a donor—we thank you, and gratefully ask you to continue your support each and every year. Also, keep in mind that the College operates on a fiscal—not a calendar—year, meaning that gifts are recognized from July 1 of one year through June 30 of the next.

4) Since I can’t give a lot, I shouldn’t give until I can make a larger gift.
False. Alumni participation is based on a gift of any size—no matter how large or small. Last year there were over 4,700 people who made gifts of 100 dollars or less. What a huge impact small gifts can make! 

5) Grove City is already rich, thanks to J. Howard Pew.
True and False. Many people still believe that the Pew interests continue to shower money on the College. Here are the facts: From 1894 to 1971, father J. Newton and son J. Howard, Class of 1900, gave millions to Grove City and brought other industrialists into the College circle. It was a platform of capital plus their stewardship principles (still followed today) that without question was the single most important factor of success and growth in the history of the College.

Any gifts the College received from the Pew family after Mr. Pew’s death in 1971 came from The Pew Charitable Trusts and have been designated for special projects, not endowment funds. Today, the Pew Charitable Trusts have many other interests, and while we are thankful for their periodic help, Pew giving represents a small percentage of the gifts made to the College.

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