Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Matching Challenge

The Need

Data collected about student financial need at Evergreen indicate that there is much more we can do to support our students in spite of their ability to pay. For instance, the average “need” amount for our students has increased. The average loan debt our graduates take away has increased. The cost of tuition is rising and family income is becoming increasingly volatile. In addition, there are other factors that influence our students as they struggle to succeed in college. Many students may not be prepared for college when they arrive. For instance, we’ve found that students who are the first in their families to pursue degrees are more likely to drop out than the average Evergreen student.

The Challenge

Evergreen has a long tradition of serving a diverse population of students, including many who are the first in their families to attend college, and many in financial distress or with few economic resources. “The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Evergreen share a commitment to college access and success, a commitment that is ever more critical for students and society. This investment represents a vote of confidence in Evergreen's nationally recognized model for teaching and learning and its ongoing work to support students from the widest range of backgrounds in completing their degrees today, tomorrow and long into the future. The Gates Foundation is a mindful, deliberate investor in creating positive change in the world and we are delighted to partner with the foundation in this visionary effort.” - Thomas L. Purce, President, The Evergreen State College

The Goal

Over the next three years, the Gates Foundation will match gifts to support endowed scholarship funds at Evergreen for students in need who are at risk of dropping out dollar for dollar. Our goal is to raise $1.5 million by March 30, 2014 and in doing so create a $3 million endowed fund.

How you can help

By supporting an endowed scholarship, you will help more students attain degrees. In doing so, you will help meet the needs of our students today, tomorrow and in the long-run. As you know, Evergreen alumni make positive contributions to their surrounding communities after graduation, so the impact of your investment will reach far in the future and broadly into the community.

• You can make a gift of any size to support an endowment fund and your gift will be matched. Give today.
• You can endow a named scholarship fund for as little as $13,500, half the usual cost.
• You can give at a higher level and establish a scholarship fund that will fund a larger proportion of the cost of attending Evergreen.

No matter how large or small, your gift to support endowed scholarship funds for students in need and at risk of dropping out will be matched dollar for dollar. Please consider giving as much as you can. This is an incredible opportunity for you and for our students. Please help us reach our goal of raising $1.5 million by March 2014 by contacting us to talk about your options today.