The annual giving day is the biggest fundraising day of the year for the College, and the entire K community is invited to come together to provide vital support for the student experience.
On this page you will find:
- Responsibilities
- Messaging Timeline
- Instructions for how to get started
- How to create a gift match or challenge
- Advocacy and social media resources
Day of Gracious Giving is Wednesday, May 7, 2025
While the College has chosen a specific day to celebrate Day of Gracious Giving, the Day of Gracious Living will continue to be chosen by student representatives in the spring, and that date will remain a surprise to the student body, alumni and the campus community.
Advocate Responsibilities
As an Advocate you are supporting the K student journey that leads to unexpected discoveries. By championing this day and the K experience, you are illuminating today and igniting the adventures of tomorrow. As an advocate you will, through social media and/or email, encourage your classmates and K friends to make a gift. We recommend you to offer your gift as a match or challenge to help inspire your peers to give. At the conclusion of the Day of Gracious Giving, we ask that you thank those who gave to the day.
Messaging Timeline
Before the Day of Gracious Giving
The Day of Gracious Giving early giving page will be available starting in early April. During this time, you can share the link. There is a special match opportunity for those who would like to make a Day of Gracious Giving gift early! When 100 people give early, $10,000 to support K’s Highest Priorities will be unlocked.
Given that we now have a scheduled date, we encourage you to wait until May 7, 2025, to place your match or challenge on the platform to inspire your class participation on the day.
On the Day of Gracious Giving
Log in to your GiveCampus account. Once logged in, use the buttons under the video on the main page of the campaign to conveniently share the campaign URL in a on your social media, via text or email to your K friends and classmates.
The URL you pick up from these buttons contains special tracking that is uniquely connected to your account. This feature allows you to view how many times someone clicked on the Day of Gracious Giving link you shared and how many people made a gift as a result of your outreach.
Getting Started
Activating your GiveCampus Account
Kalamazoo College uses the GiveCampus social fundraising platform for the Day of Gracious Giving. We ask that Advocates create an account through GiveCampus. This is the only way we can effectively track the impact of your outreach efforts. Creating an account will allow you to seamlessly share messaging via social media.
Here is how to get started:
Step 1: Sign Up
Go to givecampus.com and click on ‘Sign Up’ in the top right corner of the page. If you already have an account, please move on to step 3.
Step 2: Create an Account:
Please create an account using your email on file with Kalamazoo College. Once you have created an account, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to activate your account and complete the sign-up process. You will be able to share via Facebook, X and LinkedIn after account sign-up.
Step 3: Create a Match or Challenge
Now that you’ve logged into GiveCampus, you can create a matching gift and share the page with others.
Create a Matching Gift or Challenge
Inspire your classmates and K friends by creating a matching gift or challenge. We recommend you make your match or challenge as simple as possible. GiveCampus does not store or save your credit card information.
What is the difference between a match and a challenge?
Matches and challenges differ in that a match will match dollars/donors as they come in, while challenges unlock ONLY IF a certain threshold is reached. The key difference is that challenges are milestone-based (e.g. John Smith will give $5,000 if 300 donors give OR Jane Johnson will give $10,000 if $100,000 is donated) and matches are made on a per-donor or per-dollar basis (e.g. Anna Anderson is matching $20 per donor up to $400 OR Ben Baker is matching $2 per $1 donated up to $1,000). Both matches and challenges can be restricted to specific groups (e.g. affiliation, class year, designation, or a list of donor names).
When setting up your match or challenge, we encourage you to give your entire gift, regardless of whether the terms of your match or challenge are met. Otherwise, we may not receive your gift at all.
Creating a Match
- Click on the orange ‘Offer a Matching Gift’ button.
- Enter the maximum amount you would like to match (e.g., up to $200).
- Select if you want the match to be 1:1 match. Then choose if you would like to make a ‘per dollar’ or ‘per donor’ match. If you click ‘other,’ you can choose to donate $5 (or another amount) for every dollar or donor matched.
- Select when the match should end (e.g. when the campaign is over).
- Be sure to select the affiliation, class year or list of friends your match is intended for. For example, you can choose an affiliation group such as ‘alumni,’ a class year or specific individuals by email. If you do not choose one, the match will be available to everyone who makes a gift.
- Enter your payment information.
- Once the day arrives, encourage your classmates and K friends to join you in supporting the Day of Gracious Giving!
Creating a Challenge
- Click on the orange ‘Offer a Challenge’ button.
- Enter how much you would like to give.
- Choose your milestone: dollars or donors.
- Enter your payment information.
- Once the day arrives, encourage your classmates and K friends to join you in supporting the Day of Gracious Giving!
Questions about creating a match or challenge?
Please contact Laurel Palmer, Director, Kalamazoo College Fund, at lpalmer@kzoo.edu or 269.337.7282.
Other advocacy questions?
Please direct your questions to: Alicia VanNocker, Associate Director, Kalamazoo College Fund, at Alicia.VanNocker@kzoo.edu or 269.337.5959.
Advocacy and Social Media Resources
Where to Find Us!
K’s Social Media
Facebook: @kalamazoocollege
Instagram: @kalamazoocollege
X (formerly Twitter): @kcollege
LinkedIn: Kalamazoo College
Websites
Giving Link: kzoo.edu/dayofgraciousgiving
Day of Gracious Giving Page: kzoo.edu/giving/kcf/day-of-gracious-giving/
Sample Email Messages
The sample email and social media messages below can be copied, pasted and personalized. You are also invited to craft your own personal message to your classmates and other K alumni.
General Awareness Email
Subject Line: Class of XXXX, adventures await! Support new K explorations
Hello <Name> or <Class of XXX>,
The Day of Gracious Giving is May 7, 2025!
Remember how the K-Plan pushed our boundaries and created lasting memories beyond K’s campus? Today’s students are continuing that tradition of exploration in and out of classrooms and communities. Please join me in making a gift to the Kalamazoo College Fund to fuel these experiences. I will personally be offering a match (share your matching gift details here) to everyone in the Class of XXXX.
Whether it’s research, community engagement or stepping into the unknown, you help make these adventures at K possible. This Day of Gracious Giving, let gracious gifts go places and help support scholarships and financial aid, faculty resources and K’s highest priorities.
If you would like to find out more about how your gift supports the College, please visit the Impact Report: kzoo.edu/kcfimpactreport.
If you have any questions, please reach out to me personally or call the Kalamazoo College Fund at 269.337.7236.
Day of Emails
Announcement
Subject Line: Today is the Day of Gracious Giving!
Hello <Name>or<Class of XXX>,
Our trek to the Day of Gracious Giving is complete!
The adventures that we had at Kalamazoo College went far beyond classroom lectures. From eye-opening study abroad trips, to research and collaboration in communities, we experienced transformation at K at every turn.
Now, we can help current students create their own extraordinary journeys. I am offering a match of (share your matching gift details here) to everyone in the Class of XXXX, which means double the impact for supporting K student experiences.
Make your gift before midnight (at your personal GiveCampus link to the giving page) to amplify opportunities for today’s students. Every contribution matters.
Together, we illuminate today and ignite tomorrow.
Lux esto!
Reminder to Give
Subject Line: Today is K’s giving day—double your impact!
Hello <Name>or<Class of XXX>,
Time is running out to fuel the next generation’s adventures!
If you haven’t already, now is the time to make your gift and double your impact with incredible matches and challenges. In addition, I am personally offering a (share your matching gift or challenge details here) to the Class of XXXX.
K has always been about pushing boundaries—exploring new ideas, connecting with communities and creating transformative experiences. Your support is more than a donation, it’s a ticket to someone else’s life-changing journey at K.
Every dollar goes twice as far thanks to the matches, so don’t miss this chance to pay it forward in a major way. If you haven’t done so already, please make your gift online (place your personal GiveCampus link in this message) before midnight tonight or call the Kalamazoo College Fund office to make your gift before 5 p.m. ET.
Thank you!
Sample Social Media Posts
These sample social media messages can be copied, pasted and personalized on your Facebook profile or on your alumni class group on the Day of Gracious Giving. We encourage you to write the messages in your own voice. You can also share Kalamazoo College Facebook page posts on your profile or in your alumni class group.
Tagging your classmates in your Facebook posts is also a great idea.
Announcement
Class of XXXX, our community makes magic happen! Today’s Day of Gracious Giving is about connecting generations of students through shared experiences. As alumni our gifts can help Kalamazoo College students build meaningful connections and lasting impact. Exciting matches and challenges mean your gracious gifts can go even further! In addition, I am personally offering a match of (share your matching gift details here) to everyone in the Class of XXXX. (Include your personal GiveCampus link.)
Reminder to Give
The last chance to give on Day of Gracious Giving is nearing! Your gift could go twice as far today. Every dollar supports incredible student journeys beyond the classroom. Don’t miss out on making a difference before midnight with one of the matches or challenges! (Include your personal GiveCampus link.)
X (formerly Twitter)
Announcement
Today is the Day of Gracious Giving! Support student adventures that connect, inspire and transform K. Matches amplify every gift and I am personally offering a match. (Include your personal GiveCampus link to the giving page.)
Reminder to Give
There are X hours left of the Day of Gracious Giving to power K student connections! Your support matters—give before midnight! (Include your personal GiveCampus link to the giving page.)
Thank You Message (Email and Social Media)
Please remember to share your gratitude with your peers for their contributions.
Sample Message and Post
Thank you for an incredible Day of Gracious Giving! Your generosity has truly made a difference. The incredible support from our K community of XXXX alumni and friends came together to raise $XXX,XXX.
Our class alone raised $XX,XXX to support student experiences and opportunities. Your gift fuels the adventures and transformative moments that define the K experience. From scholarships and financial aid to community explorations and faculty resources, you are helping current students write their own remarkable stories.
Thank you for being part of K’s ongoing journey.
