Brock University is participating in the global Giving Tuesday movement Tuesday, Nov. 30, joining thousands of not-for-profit organizations in encouraging people to volunteer and donate to charitable causes.

Faculty, staff, alumni, friends and members of the local Niagara community are asked to donate to Brock University’s Giving Tuesday initiative in support of student success, aimed at enhancing the student learning experience and making a meaningful difference in the lives of Brock students.

Biotechnology graduate student Frank Betancourt Montoya (BSc ’17) knows first-hand the impact donors can have and says he is thankful to past and current supporters for their generosity in helping students  become resilient and engaged community members.

“By continuing to invest in student success at Brock, generous donors motivate and inspire me and my classmates to get the most out of our education and give back to the community,” he said.

Financial contributions to Brock can help fund scholarships and bursaries; enhance collaborative learning, teaching and research spaces; and support mental health services and emergency programming during a time when more students than ever require assistance.

Thanks to an anonymous donor, the first $5,000 raised on Giving Tuesday will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling a donor’s impact and empowering the transformational educational experience Brock is known for.

Madeline Boucinha, a fourth-year Concurrent Education student, was able to attend Brock because of donor-supported student awards.

“My education was made possible by the generosity of donors, and I am inspired to provide that same support to future students some day,” she said.

Brock Director of Development Sonia Dupte said Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to share some of the holiday shopping savings from Black Friday and Cyber Monday — and a way for the Brock and Niagara communities to rally together to demonstrate their support for a local university.

“Philanthropy has played a key role in Brock’s history, starting with the University’s founding by supportive residents who raised funds to make a local university possible,” she said. “I’m hopeful that Brock faculty, staff and alumni, and our Niagara neighbours, will continue this culture of philanthropy by supporting Brock students.”

Additional ways to support the University’s Giving Tuesday campaign include helping spread the word about Giving Tuesday through personal social media platforms and sharing an inspiring message with current Brock students, such as kind words, advice, Brock memories or words of encouragement. An ambassador toolkit and an online form to share messages are both found on Brock’s Giving Tuesday website.

To learn more about Giving Tuesday at Brock, including donating online, visit brocku.ca/giving-tuesday