~Nicholas D’Antonio, Guest Contributor
(Nicholas is a senior English Major)
Years ago, I drove through my hometown and passed a brand-new office and warehouse for a well-known local construction company. A plane had recently crashed into their building, causing significant structural damage, and requiring extensive repairs. After they completed reconstruction, it looked beautiful. However, it wasn’t the new walls, sleek metal roof, or freshly paved parking lot that left an impression on me. It was the reader-board sign out in the front yard.
It read, “Generosity is a principle, not an amount.”
Those words have lingered in my mind ever since, and they could not ring truer when applying them to the act of philanthropy. I, like many others, often undervalued what philanthropy means to a public institution like Kent State University. The entire world is in the midst of a pandemic, and it is calling upon us all to seek that generous spirit within ourselves, maybe now more than ever. And I am grateful to those who have responded. In fact, I have been a personal beneficiary: I received financial support from the KSU Emergency Grant Fund, which was established to allocate funds to students hit hard by the losses of Covid-19.
Yet, when I read the report KSU puts out on philanthropy, making programs like the Emergency Grant Fund possible, I was surprised by startling numbers. For example, did you know only twenty-four percent (24%) of Kent State alumni have made at least a one-time donation to the University? After reading this, I found myself asking, why is this number so low? I sat down with Dave Grober, Senior Director of Philanthropy for the College of Arts and Sciences to discuss the matter more thoroughly.
One misconception that may hold people back from donating is that since Kent State is a state-funded school, it should be receiving most of its funds through government support. “We do receive some government funding, but that only goes so far,” Dave adds, “ten years ago, twenty years ago, thirty years ago, it was completely upside down from what it is now. So that means, in past years, the State actually funded places like Kent State to the tune of eighty percent (80%) of our budgets. That’s how much times have changed.”
Times have changed indeed, as Kent State now receives just twenty percent (20%) of its budget in state funding. Yes, you read that correctly, twenty percent. Philanthropy is an invaluable resource to our university, as it provides the support to cover the costs needed to make Kent State the special place that it is. And it’s not just corporate or foundation donations that made the difference, it’s individual contributions as well.
“They all play a part in meeting the regular needs of the University. You know- enrollment, student tuition, room and board and fees. That’s the biggest piece of the University’s budget, but by the same token, we couldn’t operate the way we do and offer scholarship support, whether it’s need-based, or merit-based, without charitable gifts. That’s why it’s so critical- we have a university budget that’s millions of dollars, and it’s really important to have that second primary funding stream,” Grober mentions.
Philanthropy provides the opportunity for alumni to give a part of themselves to the causes of our community in a real, tangible way. Funding for social issues is a university-wide concern. As Grober puts it, “AREI, the Anti-Racism and Equity Institute, is a university-level initiative, but all parts of the university can touch it and be touched by it. Especially in the aftermath of the events of the last couple of years, it’s really come to the forefront and Kent State is playing a lead role in civic discourse, social justice, equity in all its phases, fostering the kind of world we all should live in. I am personally connected with some donors there who have begun to launch a fund for that institute.”
In my conversation with Dave, it became increasingly apparent how much alumni really contribute to the well-being of Kent State. In recent years, alumni made it possible for a state-of-the-art facility, the Integrated Sciences Building, to be completed and opened. Currently, the Brain Health Research Institute is preparing for its grand opening. Many of the faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences teach in these buildings. Beyond physical spaces, endowed gifts or pledges are made for scholarship programs. Donations also help cover the cost of research by faculty, travel expenses, supplies and equipment.
Dave Grober is himself a graduate from Kent State, class of 1983. I decided to conclude our interview by asking him why he personally finds alumni philanthropy to be so valuable, his answer was insightful.
“I, like so many others, have just found that it’s [Kent State] such a great place in so many ways. It brings students along in their lives, helps them make that transition from their younger years to adult years. And not only preparing for graduate school or a career, but life in general. There are just so many people at Kent State that care about the students they interact with and want to help make a difference and to mentor. That’s the giving, friendly part of Kent State that I think has been there for-maybe forever- certainly, a long time. And so, we give to Kent State, many of us, through a gift or a pledge or an estate-planned gift. One or more of these philanthropic tools are within everyone's reach. Everybody has their own comfort level and their own resources, and every bit helps.”
Every bit helps. This is the essence of alumni/individual donations to Kent State. In order to move forward, create progress and change, improve research and education, we do not need one or two or even three wealthy donors. Rather, we need an entire community of people who each give whatever they can, whenever they can. It’s a special thing to think about- that the generosity of alumni has made a major impact on the development of Kent State, and continues to do so now, even more than in years and decades prior. It’s that collective human spirit that forges a unity across our campus, making it possible to get through these unprecedented times. The value of our philanthropy cannot go unappreciated- our students, our faculty, our alumni are making the world a better place because of it.
And next time you think you don’t have anything to offer, to contribute to this special community, please just don’t forget- generosity is a principle, not an amount. We are at our best when we all value this principle, together.