FAQ
Q. What is Giving Day?
#CanisiusGivingDay 2020 is the college's fifth annual 24-hour giving campaign, which aims to inspire Griffs to come together, show their pride in alma mater, and provide essential funding to support current and future students. This annual event shines a spotlight on giving at Canisius and creates a sense of energy around philanthropy.
Q. Is there a minimum or maximum donation I can make on Giving Day?
No – gifts of all sizes are encouraged. Our goal focuses on participation because gifts of many come together to support the transformational Canisius experience for every student in a big way.
Q. Why does Canisius care about my participation?
The collective generosity of many multiplies to provide valuable dollars for scholarships, academic and athletic excellence and programs that strengthen the college's Jesuit mission. In addition, the added donors on Giving Day will continue to help increase the overall giving participation rate, which effects the college's ranking in key recruitment publications such as U.S. News & World Report. Giving participation is a marker of alumni satisfaction. The higher the rankings, the more valuable the degree – so all Griffs – past, present and future – benefit when more give back.
Q. Can I participate in #CanisiusGivingDay 2020 if I did not graduate from Canisius?
Yes! Students, parents, faculty/staff, and friends are encouraged to support the college on Giving Day. When prompted in the giving form, you select the role you most closely affiliate with. The gifts of many come together to support the transformational Canisius experience for every student in a big way.
Q. Where does my Giving Day gift go?
Supporters are encouraged to support Canisius Fund 150, the college’s sesquicentennial fundraising campaign. The Canisius Fund is a key source of expendable income and one of the college’s best resources to address emerging opportunities and respond to unanticipated needs and challenges of students, like scholarship support. You also have the opportunity to designate your gift to the area on campus that means the most to you.
Q. Will my Giving Day gift – if made in advance of 4.22.20 – help populate the leaderboards?
Yes! Gifts made in advance of Giving Day through canisiusgivingday.com (and in response to Giving Day mailings) will be displayed on the leaderboard when is goes live at 12:00 a.m. on April 22, 2020.
Q. Is my payment secure?
Absolutely - Canisius College Giving Day is facilitated by GiveGab, a company who has partnered with Stripe, a PCI Service Provider Level 1 (the most stringent level of certification possible) to process all gifts made through canisiusgivingday.com. Read through Stripe's security documentation online.
Q. Can I send a gift by mail or phone?
Yes. However, due to the tight period of Giving Day, only gifts made online, by phone or in response to Giving Day mailings count toward overall totals and competitions. If you would like to make a gift by phone on April 22, please call (716) 888-2712 or 1-800-201-4952.
Q. Is my Canisius College Giving Day contribution tax deductible?
Yes, your gift is entirely tax deductible. You will receive an email confirmation that may serve as your receipt for tax purposes.
Q. Does it cost anything to give through Giving Day? How much of my donation will Canisius receive?
There is a 3% processing fee and a 2.2% (+ $.30) bank fee for donations made using all major credit cards. You have the option to cover these costs in addition to your gift. If you choose not to do so, the cost will be absorbed through the college’s administrative budget, leaving 100% of your gift to support students and to remain tax-deductible.
Q. What if I already made a gift to Canisius this year?
Thank you for being part of the amazing Canisius College donor family! We appreciate your commitment and encourage you to make an additional gift of any size on April 22 to help unlock the 2020 Giving Day Donor Challenge (if 2,100 donors make a gift on #CanisiusGivingDay, the college will receive a $150,000 gift in support of Canisius Fund 150 from an anonymous donor)!
We also need your help to promote Giving Day to others by encouraging former classmates, friends, and family to join you in making a gift. We have created sample email and social media posts to help you do this more easily, which are located in the Ambassador Toolkit on the site.
Q. Can I help promote Giving Day?
Please do! We encourage you to share the images and messages that are located in the Ambassador Toolkit. Send an email to classmates, post on your Facebook page, tweet, blog, yell, put signs on your lawn. It's all encouraged!
Q. Can I use my employer's matching gifts funds?
Yes! We strongly encourage you to take advantage of your employer's generosity to enhance the impact of your support at Canisius. To see if your company offers this benefit or to learn more about your company's guidelines, visit our matching gift portal.
Q. How will the donation be reported on my credit card?
Gifts made on Canisius Giving Day will appear on donors' credit cards as GIVEGAB Canisius College.
Q. Who do I contact with questions about Giving Day?
GivingDay@canisius.edu | 716-888-2712