Who is included in the "1,000 Women"?

We invite all women within the Mercersburg family to lead this charge—alumnae, current and past parents, faculty, and staff. If you identify as a member of the Mercersburg women's community, your voice and your gift belong here.

Can a current student participate? 

Yes, they are more than welcome to, but we will not be asking them directly to give. 

Is there a minimum gift amount to be counted in the 1,000?

No. This is a participation-based challenge. Whether you give $5 or $5,000, you are counted equally as one of the women who made the Alumnae Commons possible.

Can I pledge now and pay it later?

Yes, but to be recognized as a part of the 1,000-donors, the gift must be received before the March 8, 2027, deadline.

If I’m not a woman+, can I still give?

Yes, you may make a gift in honor or in memory of your wife, your daughter, your granddaughter, or even a woman who made your Mercersburg journey possible. You can make your gift on the Give Campus site. If you’re interested in giving via check, stock, wire transfer, or in another way, you can view the other ways to give at www.mercersburg.edu/ways-to-give. Please note their name for donor recognition display purposes. 

If I have already given to the 2026 Annual Fund, do I count in the 1,000 Women Challenge?

Thank you for your gift to the 2026 Annual Fund! The 1,000 Women Challenge begins on March 27, 2026 and is designated for the Alumnae Commons. For this reason, we ask that you make a gift specifically to the Women in Focus: 1,000 Women Challenge (March 27, 2026 – March 8, 2027).

What is the With Full Hearts Campaign?

With Full Hearts: Carrying Mercersburg Forward is the school’s eighth comprehensive fundraising campaign that will officially launch in July 2027. The funding priorities fall into three categories: People, Program, and Place. 

• People: investing in Mercersburg’s greatest asset. Ensuring that talent thrives, ideas flourish, and community endures.
• Program: Programmatic endowments to support academics, arts, athletics, student life, community engagement, and wellness as well as the civic engagement curriculum to foster public engagement skill.
• Place: Elevating the spaces that frame our work and shape our community including, amongst other needs, a dining hall renovation and a new center for science and innovation.

For specific questions about the With Full Hearts funding priorities, please contact John Richardson, chief advancement officer, at richardsonj@mercersburg.edu or 717-328-6109.

If I already gave to the With Full Hearts campaign, do I count?

The 1,000 Women Challenge begins on March 27, 2026 and is designated for the Alumnae Commons. For this reason, we ask that you make a gift specifically to the Women in Focus: 1,000 Women Challenge (March 27, 2026 – March 8, 2027).

How will the donors be recognized?

Every woman who gives a gift of any size as part of this challenge will be recognized equally within the new Alumnae Commons. One list of the 1,000 female philanthropists who boldly stood together to build the future.

Why will it be called the “Alumnae Commons” if you’re asking all women to participate in the challenge?

The naming of the Alumnae Commons at Ford Hall will be a tribute to the long and storied history of the women who have passed through our gates—from the pioneers of the early co-ed years to the leaders of today. While the name honors the permanent legacy of our alumnae, The 1,000 Women Challenge is about the collective power of the entire Mercersburg sisterhood. We are asking every woman who cares about our school—alumnae, current and past parents, faculty, staff, and friends—to join us because it takes a full community to “nourish” the next generation. This space serves our entire community, and it was intentionally designed to serve our students, who are our future alumni. The spirit of the whole community is celebrated in this space. 

I thought the renovations for Ford Dining Hall were already completed; why is this challenge focused on this space? 

While the newly renovated dining space was opened in February 2026, we are still actively fundraising for this project. As of March 2026, we’ve successfully raised $6 million for the project, and we need to raise another $5 million. This renovation project is a priority of the With Full Hearts campaign. 

Why does the challenge end on International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day (March 8) celebrates the social, economic, and philanthropic impact of women globally. It is the perfect "finish line" to celebrate 1,000 Mercersburg women achieving a $10 million milestone together.