Members of the classes of 2004 through 2013 have once again made Vanderbilt history by rising to the university’s challenge specifically for graduates of the last decade—the GOLD Challenge 2.0—and helping to secure another $100,000 gift to Opportunity Vanderbilt. Opportunity Vanderbilt is the university’s initiative to replace all need-based undergraduate student loans with scholarship and grant assistance.
Last year, more than 3,000 graduates of the last decade participated in the first-ever GOLD Challenge by giving back to areas across Vanderbilt and successfully securing a $100,000 challenge gift from an anonymous supporter to Opportunity Vanderbilt.
The donor was so impressed with the young alumni community that in March of this year, he issued the GOLD Challenge 2.0. The donor pledged to make an additional $100,000 gift to Opportunity Vanderbilt if 3,300 graduates of the last decade made a gift of any amount, to any area of the university.
The response was overwhelming, with more than 3,300 young alumni rising to the challenge and lending their financial support to areas across Vanderbilt. The number of young alumni making a gift this fiscal year breaks the giving participation record for graduates of the last decade that was set during last year’s GOLD Challenge.
“Our young alumni never cease to amaze us,” said Assistant Vice Chancellor of Annual Giving Kyle McGowan. “For the second year in a row, a record number of them have shown their generosity and commitment to their alma mater by giving back financially. We are thankful for their gifts—which are directly impacting Vanderbilt’s mission—and for the example they continue to set for the entire alumni community.”
Sabre Rucker, a member of the Class of 2015 who currently benefits from an Opportunity Vanderbilt scholarship, is also grateful to the alumni who made the GOLD Challenge 2.0 a success.
“I am so thankful and inspired by the efforts of Vanderbilt’s young alumni community,” said Rucker. “A Vanderbilt education would not have been possible for me had it not been for philanthropic contributions like theirs. Because of them, even more students like me will be able to experience all Vanderbilt has to offer.”
To learn more about the GOLD Challenge 2.0, visit vu.edu/gold. To learn more about Opportunity Vanderbilt, visit giving.vanderbilt.edu/oppvu.
Contact: Nicole Smith, (615) 343-1415
nicole.smith@vanderbilt.edu