Young Alumni Kenyon Fund Challenge

GAMBIER, Ohio (April 1, 2011)

Newly announced, the Young Alumni Kenyon Fund Challenge applies to graduates in the classes of '08, '09, '10 and the very soon-to-be grads of the Class of 2011.

Rules are simple: The class tallying the largest participation rate in the Kenyon Fund wins. No gift is too small.

And yes, there is a slight twist to that prize.

It comes in the form of a $50,000 needs-based scholarship to be awarded in the name of the winning class to an incoming Kenyon student in the Class of 2015.

"This challenge is for our young alumni, but really all of Kenyon wins. Alumni win by the satisfaction of supporting their alma mater and helping someone who needs it," said Shawn Dailey, Kenyon's director of annual giving.

The four graduating classes were selected for the challenge because they all were on The Hill together at one point and now they can help welcome a new arrival.

Even modest donations help the Kenyon Fund.

"Younger alumni sometimes think that rather than give five bucks right after they graduate, they think they should wait until they can give $50 or $100.

"Support at any level is appreciated, and now for these classes it counts toward the challenge," Dailey said.

Every gift helps, he said, "because outside groups use that participation figure-that percent of alumni who give to the college-as a means of judging the college."

Philanthropic foundations review that percentage when making grants, and so do financial rating agencies when they calculate a college's financial stability.

Money for the one-year scholarship comes from Kenyon's trustees. The College will continue funding the scholarship for the remainder of the recipient's Kenyon years.

Donations made since last July 1 to the Kenyon Fund will count in the class participation rate. The winning class will be announced in early May.

To donate online, visit http://gift.kenyon.edu