This Giving Tuesday, the entire Trent University community is coming together to undertake and #CrushtheCollegeChallenge, aiming to raise $75,000 in 25 hours – the University’s most ambitious single-day fundraising campaign – all in support of Trent’s college system.

“We felt that this was the right time to launch this initiative. The college communities are an essential part of the Trent experience. More than residence buildings, the colleges promote learning, embrace diversity, and lead to friendships that last a lifetime,” said Julie Davis, vice-president of External Relations & Advancement.

Launching at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 27, the #CrushtheCollegeChallenge campaign will seek to raise $15,000 in support of each of Trent University’s five current colleges – Traill College, Otonabee College, Gzowski College, Lady Eaton College, and Champlain College. Alumni who continue to fiercely identify with their college from their own transformational experiences at Trent will play a key role in the campaign, as will current students, staff and faculty. Funds will also be raised in support of Trent’s growing Durham Greater Toronto Area campus and in honour of former colleges, Peter Robinson and Julian Blackburn.

“The college heads, faculty, staff, and alumni have been an integral part of this ambitious project. The students will also be celebrating College Spirit Day on Giving Tuesday showing their college pride. Our alumni are so immensely passionate about their colleges, and it’s wonderful to see this outpouring of support. This is truly a team effort,” said Lee Hays ’98, director of Alumni Affairs.

Joining in on the Giving Tuesday campaign, the President’s Office has issued a challenge to all Trent alumni. The college that reaches its goal first will receive an additional $5,000, and the college with the greatest percentage of alumni giving will also receive an additional $5,000.

As part of Trent’s Unleash the Potential: $50 Million Campaign, the money raised for each college through this one-day challenge will go toward building endowments to provide a sustainable, perpetual, dependable source of funds for use by the college head, wherever additional funds would make a direct, impactful and immediate difference in the lives of students.

The college community promotes learning, embraces diversity, and leads to skills and friendships that last a lifetime. It is a place for formal and informal connections between students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Involvement in college life helps students develop skills that are considered desirable by employers and that lead to a healthy lifestyle long after graduation. Also, the collegiate support services such as the academic advisor program help students to navigate academic pathways and assist in developing career aspirations.

Trent is calling on the entire community to join and help #CrushtheCollegeChallenge this #GivingTuesdayCA, make a gift to support a single college, or all colleges at Trent, and help build on the transformative student experience for which Trent is known.  Donations can be made online at trentu.ca/give or by calling 1-877-MY-TRENT.

Starting as a Canadian initiative, Giving Tuesday has become a global day of giving back after Black Friday and Cyber Monday.