Microsoft matching funds still available to faculty

Funds still are available through the Microsoft Challenge 2000 to match faculty gifts that support graduate and professional students. This year’s Micro-soft Challenge, which began Nov. 2, concludes on Feb. 1.

As of Jan. 8, a total of 324 faculty members had donated $240,561, including seven contributions of $5,000 or more. The College of Arts and Sciences was in first place, with $96,023 donated; the School of Medicine was second, with $27,450; and the College of Engineering was third with $21,900.

An additional $160,000 in faculty gifts made before Feb. 1 can be matched.

Permanent, research, and emeritus faculty members may contribute from $100 to $10,000 to support students in their own department or in any other department. Gifts may be made by check, cash, credit card or stock transfer. The Microsoft Challenge provides one matching dollar for every two dollars donated by faculty members. Two years ago, when the match was 1:1, Microsoft’s funds were claimed within three days and many faculty members who wanted to participate in the Challenge were unable to do so. Therefore, the ratio was changed to allow more faculty to have their gifts matched.

The Microsoft Challenge 2000 is made possible by a $1 million gift, over five years, from Microsoft. For more information, contact the development director in your dean’s office, or call Nina Tilander, Director of Annual Giving, at 685-1980. ¶