The Gerber Grand Challenge in Philanthropy is a commitment made by alumnus Murry Gerber '75 for $40 million endowed financial aid for high-achieving students from low income backgrounds.
The Gerber Grand Challenge then fuels Augustana Possible. For fall 2023, 183 students were recipients of Augustana Possible grants. Many are the first in their families to attend college.
The commitment by Murry Gerber requires the college to find other donors interested in support of today’s and tomorrow’s Augustana students. Murry committed his $40 million, and the commitment outlines the gift as a dollar-for-dollar match until the full match has been achieved.
For more information, contact Jon Enslin.
How your donation benefits students. Click for full size.
Gerber Grand Challenge progress
As of June 2024
Frequently asked questions
Q: How can I participate in this challenge?
A: All you need to do is contribute to a current, eligible scholarship or create a new endowed scholarship, and your contribution will be matched to the same scholarship.
Q: What existing scholarships are eligible?
A: Augustana has more than 700 endowed scholarships, many of which are eligible for matching through this program.
Q: How can I create a new endowed scholarship?
A: A commitment of $12,500, payable over five years, will be matched to meet the college’s minimum threshold of $25,000 for an endowed scholarship. Scholarships must include financial need as a criteria.
Q: I would like to support students in a particular major. How can I do that?
A: A commitment of $25,000, payable over five years, will be matched to meet the college’s minimum threshold of $50,000 for an endowed scholarship with a preference for a particular major or other criteria. Again, this scholarship must include financial need as a criteria as well.
Q: Can I make a commitment through my estate?
A: Yes! If you make a documented estate commitment to an existing eligible scholarship, that commitment will be matched.
Q: Can I still participate if I have already made an estate commitment to Augustana?
A: Yes! If you have made such a commitment, but have yet to direct it to a specific purpose, you can direct it to an existing eligible scholarship and have it matched. Or if you have made a commitment previously but decide to pay it ahead of time, it will be matched as well.