A message from the Advancement Officer
By Elizabeth “Izzy” Reel ’21, ’25MLD
As a donor for SMWC, you know that every gift made to The Woods is valued and deeply appreciated. Throughout the years, though, many ask what the difference is between restricted and unrestricted giving. Restricted giving goes towards a specific cause, project, scholarship, fund, etc. These gifts ensure a long-lasting life for various initiatives. Unrestricted gifts mean that they don’t go to a designated cause or fund. Perhaps you’re asking, does my unrestricted gift really make a difference? The answer is YES. Although your gift might not be designated to a certain area, gifts to the Woods Fund make an everlasting impact at SMWC. Check out a few ways your unrestricted gift makes a difference at The Woods.
1. Student Scholarships
A gift to the Woods Fund can provide a student a life-changing opportunity – to earn a values-based degree with a catholic and liberal arts foundation. Let’s face it, college can be expensive. However, your gift to the Woods Fund could alleviate a student’s stress to encourage their abilities to aspire higher.
2. Urgent Needs
Sometimes unexpected opportunities or challenges arise—a sudden community crisis, a chance to pilot a new initiative or an urgent maintenance issue on our facilities. Unrestricted gifts give us the freedom to respond quickly and effectively without waiting for specific funds to be approved or allocated.
3. Supporting Core Operations
It may look unimportant, but rather than looking at it as “paying for the light bill,” remember that it all traces back to our main focus – educating students to effect positive change in the world. When you make a gift to the Woods Fund, you’re not assisting with behind the scenes costs – you’re enhancing a student’s Woods journey.
4. Fueling Growth and Innovation
When you make a gift to the Woods Fund, you’re fostering a culture of philanthropy while driving the hope for the future of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Your gift to the Woods Fund allows SMWC to experiment with new programs, take risks and truly meet students where they are as they earn their degree.
5. Leaving a Legacy
When you trust us with an unrestricted gift, you empower our leadership to allocate resources where they are needed most, maximizing the overall effectiveness of every dollar you give. Your generosity enables us to be agile, strategic and mission-focused. It allows us to meet the moment and work towards the miles we have to go while continuing the legacy Saint Mother Theodore Guerin started.
As a proud alum from the Class of 2021, and most recently the Class of 2025, I invite you to join me in making a difference in the lives of current Woods students. You can make your gift by going to giving.smwc.edu. Thank you for your continued support in the mission of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Your gift to the Woods Fund matters, no matter the amount. To make a gift to the Woods Fund, you can:
- To make your gift, visit giving.smwc.edu
- To fulfill your pledge, visit giving.smwc.edu or call 888-769-0013