Challenges and Matches

CHALLENGE MET! International alumni challenge: Our Grinnell community is spread across the world!  Maggie Bian ’09 encourages donors from outside of the United States to support Grinnellians! Once we have 50 international donors, Maggie will give $10,000 to the Professor Andrew Hsieh Career Exploration Fund for international internships. 

CHALLENGE MET! 50 States/D.C. Challenge: Grinnellians live near and far, but their love for the College is forever strong! Once we have at least one donor from each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., Neeta Sirur ’80 will give $50,000 to the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

MATCH MET! For Parents of Current Students or Alumni: Members of the Parents and Families Leadership Council will give $100 to the College in recognition of each of the first 450 donors who are parents of either current students or alumni. Your gift can help the College receive up to an additional $45,000 to benefit students and scholarships. 

CHALLENGE MET! Athletics Challenge: Craig Junio ’90 encourages you to support Grinnell athletics! To honor Grinnell’s 400 student-athletes, when 400 donors make a gift to a specific athletics team or to the athletics department as a whole, Craig will give $30,000 to Grinnell athletics.

MATCH MET! Just for Young Alumni Classes (2022-2012): Maijid Moujaled ’14 and Ham Serunjogi ’16 are matching gifts up to $7,000! Give to the area of the College (club, department, sports team, etc.) most important to you, and your gift will be doubled dollar-for-dollar For example, if you donate $5 to Scholarships and Financial Aid, Maijid and Ham will do the same, resulting in $10 to support students’ access to a Grinnell education. 

Just for Students: Maijid Moujaled ’14 and Ham Serunjogi ’16 are offering matching gift dollars up to $3,000! Give to the area of the College (club, department, sports team, etc.) most important to you, and your gift will be doubled dollar-for-dollar. For example, if you donate $5 to Scholarships and Financial Aid, Maijid and Ham will do the same, resulting in $10 to support students’ access to a Grinnell education.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Scarlet & Give Back Day?
To celebrate Grinnell College through philanthropy, Scarlet & Give Back Day was introduced in 2015 as a 24 hour giving day. This year’s event will run for 36 hours from 5:00 a.m. CT on Wednesday, April 19 through 5:00 p.m. CT on Thursday, April 20. Since its inception, Scarlet & Give Back Day has inspired more than 15,000 donors to support the College community with gifts totaling nearly $6.5 million. With your help, we will make this year’s Scarlet & Give Back Day another resounding success! 

Why should I participate?
Scarlet & Give Back Day is an opportunity to build community and create unity amongst alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents and friends. Gifts — of all sizes — provide much-needed support for the individualized programs and outstanding academic opportunities provided to students every day.  This year, your gift will go even further because an anonymous donor is offering a dollar-for-dollar match for every gift up to a total match of $500,000.

How and when should I give to get the Scarlet & Give Back Day match?
Between now and April 20, your gift will count toward the matching gift. To make your gift:

• Online use this page right now or anytime before 5 p.m. CT on April 20. Now accepting Venmo!
• Mail a check payable to Grinnell College, which must be received by April 20. Mail to Grinnell College, Annual Giving/Scarlet & Give Back Day, 733 Broad Street, Grinnell, IA 50112. 
• Make a stock transfer or donor advised gift that the College receives by 5 p.m. CT on April 20. Please email annualgiving@grinnell.edu to let us know you have initiated a gift. Gifts must be received by 5 p.m. CT on April 20.
• Call the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at 866-850-1846 on Wednesday, April 19 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT) or Thursday, April 20 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT).

Can I direct my gift to an area important to me? Will it count toward the matching gift?
Yes, you may direct your gift to any area of the College important to you! All matching funds will support the matching gift donors’ funds of choice. To give to a fund not listed, use the "general" GIVE NOW button at the top of the page, select "Other," and write in your gift designation.

How can I help spread the word about Scarlet & Give Back Day?
Be an advocate! We’d love to have your assistance spreading the word about this year’s Scarlet & Give Back Day. It's quick and easy! Learn more here!

I still have a question. How can I get in touch?
Please contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at 866-850-1846 or send us an email at annualgiving@grinnell.edu.