Day of Giving: Why Your Gift for Diversity and Equity Matters

For those who do the work of diversity, equity and inclusion, whether daily at our jobs, weekly as a volunteer, between classes as a student intern or whenever we can as a participant or supporter, we understand how funding can mean the difference between helping or not helping someone in need.

It’s a daily reality that we live with, a compromise we’ve come to understand. We reason and rationalize, knowing that to help some is better than to help none, and we can never help all.

Yet it is often difficult to ask for donations for many reasons.

In a society where some must fight for the same basic rights that others take for granted, to ask for more than that is uncomfortable. Yet, the very programs we create to help safeguard those needs must have funding to exist and that funding is in no way guaranteed in today’s uncertain climate.

And so, we ask those who support the work we do to consider supporting our funds on NC State’s Day of Giving, which will happen on Sep. 16, 2020.

Donors this Day of Giving can support the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity by making a donation to one of the following funds via the Day of Giving website:

Diversity and Equity Fund

We aim to use funds coming into the Diversity and Equity Fund to support diversity, equity and inclusion across the university, including pipeline programs that can help high school students from underrepresented groups succeed at NC State.

African American Cultural Center Enrichment Fund

African American Cultural Center Director Angela Gay says her first priority is funding for the preservation of knowledge, history and culture, specifically for “the library and gallery spaces, including necessary maintenance and upkeep of the spaces as well as the provision of resources specifically focused on the African diaspora and contemporary visions of Blackness.” 

She adds that the pandemic has created a need for the financial support of Black students, current and recently graduated, who are negatively financially impacted by the COVID-19.

GLBT Center Enrichment Fund 

GLBT Center Director Jonathan McCorey has also seen that the pandemic has created a need for resources for alumni of the center who may be struggling post-graduation.

He also knows there is a need for funding emergency assistance for students who may be experiencing hardships due to a withdrawal of family support because of a GLBT identity.

And funding could also help students who would not otherwise be able to attend conferences as a valuable part of their education.

Multicultural Student Affairs Enhancement Fund

Director Nashia Whittenburg says, “We are focusing on raising funds for the Latinx Endowment Scholarship. Funds would be used to support student academics, access to books and technology needed to be successful in class, and integrated learning experiences that intentionally connect academics to intersectional identities and culture.”

Friends of the Women’s Center Fund

Director Lisa LaBarbera-Mascote says that donations to this fund help support the Women’s Center space and community. “That could mean undesignated programming dollars for events like Feminist Friday, additional resources for our center library as well as funds that go towards support of student travel to conferences such as the National Conference for College Women Student leaders.”

Dr. Frances Graham Womxn of Color Leadership Fund

This fund, also administered through the Women’s Center, supports programming, community development, and opportunities for women of color at NC State, including leadership development opportunities, building an intentional community and participation in the annual Womxn of Color Retreat.

The Survivor Fund 

The Women’s Center cannot do lifesaving interpersonal violence (IPV) advocacy work without the help of donors. Every dollar raised for the Survivor Fund goes directly to students. As such, your donation can have a huge impact on a survivor’s healing and recovery. For example:

• $25 provides emergency transportation to a rape crisis center;
• $100 helps cover costs to change locks on a survivor’s home to help them feel safer;
• $500 helps offset a survivor’s medical, counseling and legal expenses.

The Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity thanks you for your support.

• Read more: Special Day of Giving to Support Diversity and Inclusion (Aug. 21, 2020)