Philanthropy within the Endicott College community is a big component of who we are and one of the key differentiators that sets us apart from other institutions. The spirit of giving back is apparent in all of the College’s fundraising initiatives; in fact, 70% of full-time faculty and staff made a gift to the College at least once during the 2018–19 and 2019–20 fiscal years—an impressive number, considering that the national average is just 18%.
So, why is it that the College far exceeds the national average year after year? Employee Giving Campaign Co-Chairs, Director of the Colin & Erika Angle Center for Entrepreneurship and Assistant Dean in the Curtis L. Gerrish School of Business Deirdre Sartorelli, and Professor of Chemistry & Environmental Science, Matt Staffier, attribute it to the faculty and staff believing in the mission of the College and wanting the very best for our students. Staffier shares, “Our high rates of employee donations signals to others that our community is invested in the mission of the College. Donations to the College help make all of the great things that happen at Endicott possible and also provide funds that lower the cost of education, allowing us to share the great experience of Endicott more broadly.”
Continue reading below to hear their perspective on employee giving and why the initiative is so important to them.
Why do you give to the College?
Deirdre: Giving to the College makes great sense to me. It is a way that I can show my personal and professional commitment to our students and to my Endicott colleagues. For me, knowing that my donations, however modest, will be put to use for enriching our community—the community that I spend a lot of time in—makes me feel good.
Matt: I give to Endicott because I want to support all of the wonderful work our faculty, staff, and students do that serves the school and the greater community. From internships to community service, from nursing to the arts, I am proud to be part of something that has such an incalculable positive impact on the world around us.
Why is faculty/staff giving so important? What does it mean for the institution?
Deirdre: Endicott’s staff and faculty are highly philanthropic. I like to think there are three giving buckets for us. There’s time, which is self-explanatory. Talent is the second bucket and our faculty and staff continue to distinguish themselves each day by freely giving of their expertise, whatever area they work in. The third bucket is treasure. Everyone’s capacity to give is different, of course. We are fortunate that our employees know three healthy buckets for Endicott is mission critical. It signals a beacon to the outside community...something great is going on at Endicott!
Matt: At Endicott the spirit of giving to the institution has made us a standout amongst other colleges and universities across the country. Our high rates of employee donations signals to others that our community is invested in the mission of the College. Donations to the College help make all of the great things that happen at Endicott possible and also provide funds that lower the cost of education, allowing us to share the great experience of Endicott more broadly.
Why do you think Endicott's faculty/staff giving statistics are so high? What does that mean to you as faculty/staff philanthropy Co-Chairs?
Deirdre: Serving along with Professor Matthew Staffier as Co-Chair for the Employee Giving Campaign has been a high point of my time here. From the get-go, Matt and I knew we wanted to understand the why of why our employees give. We made a point of asking one-on-one and by having honest conversations with our community members. And those answers have been profound and have humbled me in a way I wasn’t expecting. I’ve chaired campaigns at outside organizations and what is different here is the sense of caring that we have for one another. Giving here at Endicott is personal and we see that when we get employee donations in honor of another employee’s campus contributions.
At the start of each academic year, we have a great celebration at Misselwood, which is always filled to capacity, for all of our employee donors. When Matt and I have a chance to say a few words and we look out at the crowd, I know for me, that makes this all worthwhile. We don’t need to tell them why they are there...their smiling faces and enthusiasm say it all for us.
Matt: Being a Co-Chair of the Employee Giving Campaign has been a great experience for me. Not only has it allowed me a rewarding way to serve our institution, it has given me the pleasure of working with Deirdre, who exemplifies the positive entrepreneurial spirit of Endicott. Deirdre and I know all too well the pride the faculty and staff have in our institution. This pride not only comes from our remarkable students, the beauty of our campus, and the growth of our facilities, but from the great trust that we will constantly strive to make our institution the best, most welcoming, and inclusive school it can be.