Make Your Impact Now
Join our student giving community!
At IUP, we look out for one another. When you give, you’re not just donating—you’re making an impact. Your gift can help a student stay in school, chase a dream, or get through a financially tough time.
Every gift, no matter the amount, makes a real difference for students at IUP. It might help someone earn a scholarship, attend a conference that shapes their future, or find the encouragement to keep going on their academic journey.
That’s what it means to be a Hawk: lifting each other up and making sure everyone has the chance to succeed.
Together, we have strength in numbers.
Student Philanthropy Badges
Be a philanthropist at IUP, and earn digital badges along the way!
Students who earn all 3 badges will receive philanthropy cords in their graduating semester to wear for commencement as a symbol of their philanthropic actions.
Philanthropy Explorer Badge
This badge marks the beginning of a student’s philanthropic journey at IUP.
Recipients of this badge must:
- Attend or participate in an IUP philanthropy-focused event (e.g., Thank a Donor Day, IUP Giving Day, Philanthropy Cup).
First-Time Donor Badge
The First-Time Donor badge celebrates a student’s first act of giving as an IUP donor. It symbolizes a commitment to paying it forward and investing in the future of peers and the campus community.
Recipients of this badge must:
- Make a gift of any amount to an IUP fund of your choice (e.g., scholarship, student club, athletics, academic department).
Philanthropy in Action Badge
This badge recognizes students who move beyond a single act of giving to actively support and encourage a culture of philanthropy at IUP.
Recipients of this badge must:
- Complete the requirements and receive both Philanthropy Explorer and First-Time Donor badges
- Participate in a second giving opportunity
AND one of the following:
-
- Join the Student Giving Committee
- Attend or volunteer at another philanthropy event
- Share why you give
- Writing a thank-you card
- Submitting a donor wall quote or photo
Join the Student Giving Committee!
The Student Giving Committee is made up of students who believe in the power of generosity. SGC members help share stories, organize events, and show how every gift helps create new opportunities for Hawks on campus.
Interested in joining? Find SGC on Lounge, or email student-philanthropy@iup.edu to learn more.
Collaborate with SGC
There are opportunities throughout the year to work with SGC on campaigns and events for awareness. Reach out via email to get started!
- The IUP Philanthropy Cup: a campus-wide competition that challenges student organizations to raise awareness and support for the Student Assistance Fund while developing leadership, teamwork, and fundraising skills. Organizations compete for prize funding, recognition, and awards while making a meaningful impact on fellow students facing unexpected financial hardships.
Stay Connected
Keep up with news stories, events, challenges, and other updates throughout the year.
- Instagram: @iupstudentsgive
- Lounge: Student Giving Committee
Student Donor Spotlight
IUP Ambassadors
During IUP’s 2024 Month of Giving, the IUP Ambassadors made a generous donation of $800 to the IUP Food Pantry from their 2024 Homecoming float contest winnings!
In fall 2023, they won first-prize in the Homecoming float contest and began the tradition of donating their winnings to the IUP Food Pantry and Help Center.
The IUP Ambassadors works to represent the best of IUP by building relationships with prospective students, current students, alumni, and friends of IUP. One of their many goals is to make students aware of their roles and the importance of practicing philanthropy at IUP.
Alumni Donor Spotlight
Colonel Stephen Abel ’73
Colonel Stephen Abel is a 1973 alumnus and a 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. He retired as a US Army colonel after a 27-year military career. Colonel Abel remains a loyal supporter of IUP Veterans Program and the Military and Veterans Resource Center.
Col. Abel has always been an advocate for student giving. For more than five years, Col. Abel has provided a match for student giving to increase student participation in making gifts to IUP. This means that Col. Abel has generously agreed to match student gifts of $5 with $10!
Col. Abel believes that students can make a significant impact—even by making smaller gifts.
Follow Colonel Stephen Abel's example and start to give back, today.