Our Crowdfunding Groups
WHAT IS THE CLASS GIFT?
Each year, graduating Longhorns at The University of Texas at Austin make an impact by giving to the “Class Gift” to support future Longhorns. Students can choose to give back to one of the highlighted funds — or any of the people, places, and pursuits that have supported them while at UT.
As an added bonus, your donation to the Class Gift from March 1 – May 11 will be DOUBLED up to $30,000 thanks to the Office of the President!
WHAT CAN I SUPPORT?
Leave a Legacy: Each class of MBAs since 1996 has given a gift to benefit the students that come after them. Many of the gifts given by previous classes have been enjoyed by your class in these past two years. This year, we will be participating in the 2024 Class Gift campaign to raise funds that will support the MBA Student Experience for classes to come as part of your legacy campaign.
The importance of the Class Gift campaign for the Class of 2024 is to participate in whatever way is comfortable for you. Whether you donate $20.24, $25 or $100, the important thing is to support the legacy of your class for those that will follow you, as your predecessors did for you. The idea of the Leave a Legacy campaign, founded by the Texas MBA Class of 1996, is students giving a gift that will benefit those students that come after them. Leaving the place better than they found it…
YOUR IMPACT
In 1996, GBC President, Jason Watkins, MBA ‘96, saw a need. Classmates were awkwardly getting dressed for their important interviews in the business school bathrooms. It was chaos. If only there were dedicated interview changing rooms for MBAs to use. Jason had an idea and went to the dean of the business school and said “Give me $200 worth of pizza and I’ll get you $20,000 for the MBA program to build a changing room for future MBAs to use.” …and the Leave a Legacy tradition was born. Jason’s class raised $26,000 with 43% participation. Next came suit lockers, then study rooms, then Carpenter…and the rest is history.
From the first gift from the class of 1996, MBA classes have continuously contributed to the ongoing development of the school to benefit the classes that follow.
Because of that first idea in 1996, students have spearheaded projects to help support classmates, such as providing stipends for case competition travel, supporting interns in social impact and entrepreneurship, funding the Women in Business Leadership Symposium, curating Graduate Business Council Community events for the entire MBA student community to name a few. The impact is for students by students in an effort to leave the Texas McCombs MBA Program better than when they first arrived on campus.
WHY GIVE BACK?
When you give to the Class Gift …
WHAT’S THAT ABOUT A TOWER PIN?
The first 1,000 students who give $20.24 or more to the Class Gift will receive a special Class of 2024 Tower pin to honor their commitment to making UT a stronger campus for all Longhorns.
Also, students who sign up to be ambassadors and receive five or more $20.24 donations through their unique ambassador link will receive a gold philanthropic graduation cord to recognize their dedication to Texas ‘24!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I become an ambassador?
Anyone can be an ambassador! Once you sign up, you’ll be provided a toolkit to help you share information about the Class Gift with your friends, family and on social media. Sign up today!
How do I receive the commemorative Class Gift Tower pin?
The first 1,000 students who donate $20.24 or more will receive a Class Gift Tower pin. You can wear it during commencement, on your backpack or anywhere else you want to show off your burnt-orange pride!
How do I receive the philanthropic cord?
Ambassadors who generate 5 or more gifts through their ambassador link will receive a graduation cord to recognize their impact.
How much am I being asked to give?
While the recommended donation is $20.24, you can participate in a special campus tradition with a gift of just $5 to an area that means the most to you.
I’m a parent of a Texas ’24 graduate. Can I donate?
Absolutely! We’ll ask for more information when you make your gift to make sure your Longhorn receives their commemorative Class Gift Tower pin before graduation.
I’m an underclassman at UT. Why should I donate?
It’s never too early to start your tradition of giving at UT!
