Earlier this month on May 3rd, a King County event sponsored by the Seattle Foundation, GiveBIG, prompted communities to make donations to local non-profits. This was part of a national event held on the same day, called Give Local America. Many groups around Seattle participated in this event, donating to various non-profits. Seattle Prep invited alumni and seniors- soon to be alumni- to make donations to the Seattle Prep community on that day.
GiveBIG extended a special invitation for seniors to donate $20.16. Most of the time when Seattle Prep receives a donation the money allocated right away for various needs such as tuition assistance. However, the money that the seniors donated went to a class endowment, which will soon be invested into the stock market. When the donations to that endowment reach $50,000 the money will be awarded to a future student as a scholarship in the name of the Class of 2016.
Not only will this money help a future Panther, but donors also became part of the Young Alumni Society, a new group created by the Alumni Office for people who have graduated within the last ten years. Established in the last year, the Young Alumni Society will provide different benefits to members. Benefits include discounts to alumni events and free admission to Prep home games.
Seniors also had the opportunity to provide input as to what kind of benefits they would find most helpful. Some potential benefits include help with creating a resume, and regular updates about the Prep community. To join students can either make a donation to the class endowment, a different Seattle Prep endowment, or pledge five hours of service to Prep helping in the Alumni Office. This membership lasts one year; to rejoin a new donation or pledge to service is required. On the day of GiveBIG, 80 seniors donated, thus joining the society. The Young Alumni Society is looking to help students and graduates of Prep continue to live out the Grad at Grad and provide support while young graduates navigate the many new experiences that follow in the years after high school.