Make a difference for the School of Dentistry

WVU Day of Giving returns March 20. Prior to the 24-hour marathon event, School of Dentistry leadership identifies three areas where philanthropic support could make a significant difference. As we request support to help our students and school go above and go beyond in 2024, we encourage those who are undecided as to what they should support to consider a gift toward the School of Dentistry General Scholarship Fund (2S123).

Your gift increases leadership gifts

Emphasizing the importance of scholarships to ease the financial burden for students, Dr. Stephen Pachuta, alumnus and dean, has pledged a generous gift as participation in Day of Giving grows. Once the School of Dentistry General Scholarship Fund reaches $5,000 in donations, it will unlock a $2,500 gift from Dean Pachuta. Each time an additional $5,000 is reached through collective donations, an additional $2,500 will be unlocked with the Dean giving a total of $10,000 for the scholarship fund.

Additionally, the first 15 gifts to the School of Dentistry General Scholarship Fund will unlock $5,000 from WVU Chancellor and Executive Dean for Health Sciences Dr. Clay Marsh and his wife, Gail.

Other areas to support

Two additional areas where your investment can have great reward include:

• Facilities Fund 2W686: We enjoy welcoming friends and alumni back home. The School’s reception area, urgent care and student hallway have undergone renovations to create modern spaces that impress visitors and graduates. As support grows and the next phases become a reality, we look forward to hosting visitors to see the transformation for themselves.

• Dental Century Fund 2U045: There is no worse feeling than to be insufficiently prepared for the unexpected. In higher education and patient care, we expect the unexpected and are grateful to have resources to address needs as they arise.

Looking for additional ideas? Contact Director of Development Karen Coombs at kcoombs@wvuf.org or 304-216-3784 (call or text) with questions.

Timing is everything

The benefit of the 24-hour marathon fundraiser is that the time of day you choose to make a gift can put us in the spotlight among WVU programs and boost support for the school, making the most of your hard-earned dollars. Through social media challenges, money matches and leaderboard standings on WVU Day of Giving, we can make even MORE of your gift.

If you participate in any of the following challenges on March 20 and the School of Dentistry comes out on top, it unlocks that supplemental support. You’ve made us Day of Giving winners in the past, and these are some of the challenges where we think you can make us winners again!

• 7:00 a.m. Most Gifts Challenge: We all know that most oral health care professionals are early risers. Start your day by making your gift from 7-8 a.m., and the school can earn bonus dollars.

• 12:00 p.m. First-time Donor Challenge: Is this your first time giving? Take a lunch break and make your gift while you take time from your busy day to catch your breath.

• 5:00 p.m. Recurring Gifts Challenge: Make your gift by breaking it up into monthly or quarterly payments and, again, you can help the School earn bonus dollars. If you set up a recurring monthly payment last year and are able to do so again this year, set up the payment at the end of your day from 5-6 p.m.

• Most Faculty and Staff Gifts Challenge: Give any time throughout the day and the unit with the most faculty and staff members participating can again help to earn bonus dollars. Want to have your gift deducted through payroll deduction? That qualifies as a recurring gift that will count in each of the challenge categories.

Day of Giving FAQs

You can easily participate online and find FAQs through the WVUF Day of Giving website. Visit dayofgiving.wvu.edu/dentistry  to support the School of Dentistry funds, programs and scholarships you choose on March 20.

Let’s Go!