![Charlie quickly found himself at home in Lissner room 312, claiming many spots around Friesen’s room as well as the living room for his naps. It didn’t take long after he was approved as an ESA to claim the minimal space in the dorm as his territory. “Within 30 minutes of us [moving into] the dorm, [Charlie] was sleeping,” Friesen said.](https://bethelclarion.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-10-at-9.20.19-PM-1200x892.png)
How Bethel’s one-day giving campaign pays it forward to future Royals.
by Christine Ramstad
October 14 marked Bethel’s ROAR (Raising Our Alumni Rate) Day: a one-day fundraising campaign that uses donations to give back and provide opportunities to future Royals. This provides students and alumni with the opportunity to celebrate all things Bethel.” Kristin Seely, Bethel senior and Supervisor of Royal Legacy, said.
Erin Van Sickle, Student Alumni Programming Coordinator, was able to shed led on what was what ROAR Day means for students.
“The most important takeaway for current students from ROAR day is an understanding of how BU is financed and how alumni have always stepped in to provide for current students,” she said. “Bethel is a non-profit business, which means that each year, they set tuition at a discounted rate, making sure to only take in what they absolutely need.” After ROAR Day, the Office of University Advancement works to receive donations from Bethel’s alumni and friends so that current students can be provided with as many programs and opportunities as possible without having to pay out-of-pocket for them. ROAR Day celebrates the role of donors in bridging the gap between what tuition covers and the money needed to run the Bethel University as the students experience it.
This Year’s Recap
This year’s ROAR day received 426 gifts totaling $73,123. The class of 2013 gave 23 gifts making it the top giving class, followed by the class of 2014 with 21 gifts and the class of 2018 with 18 gifts. A new record was set on the amount of money raised in one day by students from the Royal Legacy Scholarship: an endowed scholarship that goes to future Royals in need. However, less dollars were given in matching gifts in comparison to last years grand total.
2014
AMOUNT RAISED: $51K + MATCHING GIFTS: $50K = OVER $100K
2015
AMOUNT RAISED: 53K + MATCHING GIFTS: 20K = OVER $73K
What Students Should Know
Any gift from a Bethel student is matched by the Bethel Foundation, which doubles the impact. Bethel students who have completed a minimum of 30 credits are considered alumni and their gift counts towards the Alumni Participation Rate: a number analyzed by scholarship agencies and grant foundations. The higher this number, the more financial opportunities for future members of the Bethel community.
How it Works: Matching Gifts
Bethel community members and donors contribute money known as a ‘matching gift’: money that is ‘unlocked’ throughout the day as alumni and student gifts hit dollar goals. “This extra incentive helps us double the impact we raise on the day of to support our school” Van Sickle said.