#GivingTuesday

The Institute of Government and Politics, in conjunction with Utah State University, has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving on Tuesday, Dec. 1, that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and celebrate generosity.

We have the goal to receive 25 donations on #GivingTuesday. Former interns and alumni are encouraged to give back by donating something to the IOGP tomorrow. You don’t need to give a lot to make a difference! Donations of $5, $10, $20, $100 or $250 are equally appreciated. Plus, your donation will go even further thanks to a generous donor who will match the first $2,500 donated! To donate, go here https://www.usu.edu/advancement/givingtuesday/, and choose Institute of Government and Politics from the drop-down menu.

So why give back to the IOGP?

1. Students rely on you. Many students worry that internships are an investment they simply can't afford. Many phenomenal internships are unpaid and the cost of living back east can be a struggle for students. Your support can help students feel confident in accepting internships that will better their lives.

2. You support exceptional students. Your donations are going towards some of the brightest students on campus. The internship process is competitive; as a result, top tier individuals are selected to represent Utah State in Washington, D.C., and Salt Lake.

3. With your help, minds are expanded. Internships are the most beneficial and influential part of a student’s education. For many students, these are essential steps to finding a job after graduation. Outside the walls of Old Main, Aggies are able to gain a broader view of who they are, how they can give back, and a better understanding of future opportunities.

4. You affect America’s future. One-fourth of the interns we place are majoring in Political Science; the rest come from a variety of majors across campus. Students understand the impact of government in every industry. Participating in an internship expands understanding of government processes, allowing our Aggies to become better-informed citizens and better-equipped leaders in their careers.


5. The IOGP depends on you. IOGP scholarships are limited to the amount of donations received. Only with your help can the IOGP fulfill its mission to enhance understanding of government institutions and the political process with opportunities that bridge practical skills and academic learning.

So where does your donation go?

The average cost of a D.C. internship with 12 Credits is $8,430.

That’s the same as buying:
-1,686 pizzas
-1,405 Big Mac Combo Meals
-13,090 pounds of copy paper
- 15 iPhone 6’s
- 120 textbooks

And for a college student, that’s a lot. That’s 1,162 hours at a minimum wage job. This kind of financial burden can be a deterrent for some of our brightest prospects. That’s where you come in.

There are three funds your donation could go to:
1) The Circle of ’88: With an annual donation of $1,000 or an ongoing monthly draft of $88, you automatically enter our Circle of ’88. The Circle brings together those whose generous giving advances USU’s founding principles – teaching, research and service. By joining the Circle of ’88, you can ensure that future generations of students continue to have the chance to learn and grow through internships. 

2) Housing Fund: USU provides subsidized housing, but interns still pay $800 monthly, several times the cost of housing in Logan. Your donation to this fund ensures this expense doesn’t prevent a student from pursuing an internship. 

3) Travel Fund: The average round-trip flight to D.C. is $900, and once there, commuting expenses may cost several hundred additional dollars. These expenses are large enough to keep many students from even getting off the ground. Your donation to this fund ensures students are able to reach their intern destination.

Why I Give

We have had many charitable alumni supporting our interns, and they told us why they give to the IOGP.

     

Tim Stewart, founding partner of American Capitol Group, Interned for Senator Bennett in 1992: “The USU internship program has produced some of the brightest people I have worked with in politics and government over the past 20 years. The program has a unique talent for identifying the brightest and puts them on a path to success. In the long-run, we all benefit from this and that I why I support the IOGP financially."

 LJ Godfrey, VP for Government Affairs, AT&T, Interned for Senator Jake Garn in 1987: “I support the IOGP because I can directly trace my entire career working in government affairs to my internship as a student at USU. I can’t emphasize enough how important internships are for a student interested in a career in policy or politics.”

Douglas Foxley, Foxley & Pignanelli, Interned for Congressman Burton in 1967: “Aggies owe it

to help other Aggies. As a student, I benefited from generous donors to the university and great mentorship. I value opportunities to give back to the next generation of USU interns, and that’s why I support the IOGP. Join me in paying it forward!”




Help us reach our goal of 25 donations, big or small, on #GivingTuesday. Again, to donate, go to this link: https://www.usu.edu/advancement/givingtuesday/