Campus News
Crowdfunding for Aggieland
Texas A&M University recently launched its dedicated crowdfunding platform, Spirit of Giving. Check out its impact and see how you can get involved.
- By Karissa Bayliss ’12 ’15
- Oct. 26, 20214 min read
Surprisingly, despite being one of the major higher education institutions in the state, Texas A&M University is just now entering the crowdfunding space. Crowdfunding, which harnesses the power of a large group of people through social networks to fundraise donations of all sizes, is not a new concept. You’ve likely heard of platforms like GoFundMe or Kickstarter, but perhaps you’ve never thought of how this idea could apply to Texas A&M. Let us introduce “Spirit of Giving,” Texas A&M’s own crowdfunding platform created to help campus leadership and student leaders raise vital funds for special projects, programs and initiatives. After officially launching in November 2020, “Spirit of Giving” is already making a big impact on campus.
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Education Abroad
“The Spirit of Giving crowdfunding program enabled us to quickly launch our initiative. The Aggie Network never disappoints when it comes to supporting our students.”
– Dr. Holly Hudson, Executive Director of Education Abroad
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas A&M was ranked the No. 1 public institution for total number of students participating in international experiences. However, underrepresented groups, including low-income, first-generation college students and minority students, can struggle to even board a plane due to passport expenses. Through Spirit of Giving, donors raised more than $6,000 to cover passport dues for 38 students to take the Aggie Spirit abroad! You can continue to support this project and fund more passports for disadvantaged Aggies at give.am/SOG_EducationAbroad.
Aggie Dance Team
“Spirit of Giving was an incredible opportunity for our program and achieving our goal of going to nationals. Having the support of Aggies near and far meant so much to the girls on the team and helped encourage them during competition.”
– Amy Liefer, Aggie Dance Team Coach
Founded in 1990, the 20-member Aggie Dance Team performs at various Texas A&M athletic events such as home football, volleyball and basketball games, and other campus and local events. For the first time in 20 years, the team traveled to the Dance Team Union National Championship in April 2021 to compete against teams across the country. Through Spirit of Giving, donors contributed more than $8,000 to support expenses for registration, flights, meals and costumes for the competition. The Aggie Dance Team placed first in both of their routines. You can continue to support this project and fund the team’s future success at give.am/SOG_DanceTeam.
The Public Interest Law Fellowship
“Our Spirit of Giving campaign and generous donors helped Law Fellows provide hundreds of hours of service work in unpaid internships while also giving these future Aggie lawyers the means to gain valuable experience and mentorship as they pursued their passions.”
– Evelyn Garcia Lopez ’22, Current Fellowship President
The Public Interest Law Fellowship within the Texas A&M School of Law is a student-run organization that dedicates time and service to raising awareness for public interest work. Deserving law fellows receive stipends so they can work in six-week unpaid internships with nonprofits and government entities in need of their pro bono service. These stipends allow fellows to gain valuable experience while pursuing honorable public interest work to better society and underserved populations. Through the Spirit of Giving platform, donors gave nearly $9,000 to provide stipends to cover living expenses during three student internships. To support further internship stipends, visit give.am/SOG_LawFellows.
Get Involved: The Spirit of Giving website will be updated with new campus projects in February and May 2022. Each project runs for four to six weeks. You can check the site regularly at spiritofgiving.tamu.edu to see how your donation can make a difference.
