A Grateful Day of Giving

Gallaudet participated in GivingTuesday, the annual global day of giving, on November 28, 2023 and more than $22,000 was raised for the University. More than half of the donations went to the Necessity of Now (NOW) campaign.

NOW will fund the creation of an equitable outdoor learning space on Gallaudet’s campus called the Louise B. Miller Pathways and Gardens: A Legacy to Black Deaf Children as well as student scholarships, research, and programming at our Center for Black Deaf Studies.

Institutional Advancement staff hosted three GivingTuesday stations on campus during the day with NOW information and swag. Athletics held an intramural event in the evening which featured another GivingTuesday station. 

Gallaudet’s Student Body Government and Graduate Student Association gave generously to the NOW campaign. SBG gave $5,000 and GSA gave $3,000. SBG’s donation reaches the matching gift threshold and their name will be listed on the donor recognition wall in the forthcoming Pathways and Gardens, along with all other matching donors. 

All NOW gifts and pledges of $5,000 and above that are paid off by December 2025 will be matched dollar for dollar by an anonymous alumni donor.

“We all agreed that it was crucial that undergraduate students partake in the campaign to endorse positive change happening on our campus and to the community,” said SBG President Cynthia Ortega. “SBG believes that this campaign is important for Gallaudet because we all should strive for changes that have significant potential in making our Gallaudet campus more inclusive to the student body. This is also a great way for SBG to be included in a fight for equality and inclusion.”  

GSA President Dacey Curtis hopes their donation will inspire other students and student groups to give to NOW. 

“Even small contributions matter a lot, and now is the time to make positive changes,” said Dacey. “GSA thinks this campaign is really important for Gallaudet because it deals with urgent needs and helps make the whole community better. They understand that when everyone comes together to support it, they can create a positive and meaningful environment. This ensures that Gallaudet keeps doing well and meets the changing needs of students and the broader community, providing the necessary support for everyone.”