#GiveCentral celebrates 10 years of impact and inspiration

Each spring, the Central Washington University community connects across programs and passions in the spirit of giving back during our annual campus-wide day of giving. On April 23, #GiveCentral celebrated “10 Years Strong” with an inspiring show of Wildcat generosity and pride.  

For the past decade, #GiveCentral has grown into more than a day of giving; it has become a tradition rooted in community and shared purpose. That spirit was evident this year as 605 unique donors invested in student futures. All told, CWU alumni, students, faculty, staff, families, and friends came together to raise more than $140,000 across 42 campus projects.

That funding will bolster academic scholarships, programmatic resources, and emergency aid that ensure learning opportunities and hands-on experiences that strengthen student career paths. Donors stepped up to support areas that personally resonated, from pathways to student art exhibitions to stocking up the Wildcat Pantry so no student studies hungry, and many more.

“As #GiveCentral marked its tenth year, it’s exciting to see how it continues to evolve,” said Robin Burck, Associate Director of Marketing and Annual Giving. “We are not just growing overall funds raised, we’re deepening engagement by creating opportunities for the entire Wildcat community to connect personally with the impact of giving.”

This year, #GiveCentral took an even more collaborative and connective approach with “Direct the Dollars,” an in-person, student-focused campus event. The activity encouraged students to explore the significance of philanthropy in their own community. With an initial commitment of $5,000 from the CWU Alumni Association and CWU Foundation boards, students were invited to sign up for $50 tokens to invest in projects that mattered most to them.

Students engaged with program leaders at the SURC, where rows of tables showcased program materials, information, and interactive experiences that brought each mission to life.

Within 30 minutes, every initial token had been donated while a growing line of students hoping to participate stretched around the SURC plaza. Surprised and encouraged at the response, the boards provided an additional $5,000 worth of tokens. In total, 200 students plunked tokens into project baskets. Through “Direct the Dollars,” students not only saw the power of giving in real time, they expanded their awareness of the diverse, influential work of their CWU peers.  

Momentum throughout the campaign was fueled by 24 matches and challenges totaling more than $54,000, encouraging donors to maximize their gift. These opportunities helped amplify giving across all 42 initiatives, creating excitement and a sense of shared success throughout the day.

“I want to thank our campus partners who participated in #GiveCentral this year and showed up in a big way to advocate for their projects at the in-person event,” Burck said. “I’m also incredibly grateful to the many donors who supported this year’s campaign and made an impact across CWU, and to our Alumni and Foundation Boards, whose leadership and generosity made Direct the Dollars possible.”

As #GiveCentral celebrates a decade of success, the overarching meaning has become increasingly significant. It’s not just about monetary milestones; it is about belief — in students, in opportunity, and in the power of a community coming together to create change.