On March 4, the Poet spirit of generosity was on full display as the Whittier College community came together for the 11th annual Big Poet Give. Thanks to the tireless efforts and stewardship of Poets across the nation, this year’s day of giving raised over $500,000.
“Big Poet Give is about more than one day of giving,” said Vice President of Development Delite Travis. “It’s a movement that shows what’s possible when Poets rally around our students and a shared belief that the good must go on. The generosity we saw last week from over 500 donors is a testament to the momentum that’s been building across the Whittier community.”
A dedicated team of 28 Big Poet Give Ambassadors played a key role in the campaign, raising $27,005 from 123 donors by spreading the word and encouraging fellow Poets to participate. Alongside the new “Paint the Nation Poet Purple” incentive championed by President Kristine E. Dillon ’73, their efforts helped secure gifts from 48 of the 50 states — ultimately earning a $10,000 bonus award from President Dillon.
In addition, 21 Big Poet Give champions stepped forward to strengthen the campaign through $217,500 in match funding, creating opportunities to multiply the impact of each gift.
“The outpouring of support for Big Poet Give reflects the deep pride our community feels for Whittier and for the students who are shaping its future,” Dillon said. “Every gift represents a belief in the illuminating power of a Whittier education and helps ensure our students are equipped to succeed.”
Funds raised during Big Poet Give primarily support the Whittier Fund, which provides flexible resources that directly benefit students through scholarships, academic programs, and campus experiences that strengthen the College’s distinctive liberal arts education.
For more information about Big Poet Give, visit GivingDay.Whittier.edu, and to donate, visit Whittier.edu/giving.
