Pay It Forward Day—celebrated annually on April 28—is a global initiative that exists to make a difference by creating a huge ripple of kindness felt across the world. We believe that small acts, when multiplied by hundreds of people can change the world for the better!
At Wheaton, our Pay It Forward Challenge begins on April 22 to commemorate the day that Wheaton Female Seminary opened its doors to its first 50 students. Since that day 186 years ago, Wheaton’s mission to provide a transformative liberal arts education in a diverse world has been shaped by many changemakers. This year we celebrate five Wheaton changemakers whose acts around key initiatives have created a huge ripple effect that is still being felt by today’s Wheaton community.
Wheaton’s 2021 Pay It Forward Honorees
Additional Ways to Give
Use Your Digital Wallet
Wheaton now accepts Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and WebPay on our secure online giving forms. Digital wallet options will only appear as payment options when donors utilize their smartphones to make their gifts.
Set-up Monthly Donations
Monthly sustaining gifts allow you to divide your Wheaton gift into manageable increments through convenient automatic deductions from your debit or credit card. By becoming a Slype Sustainer, you can increase your giving impact at Wheaton.
Pledge It Forward
You can now make a bigger impact by committing to future Wheaton Fund donations. Pledge It Forward and consider providing a Wheaton Fund Scholarship, Wheaton Fund Internship, or even amplifying your Reunion Class Gift.
Matching Gifts Program
Maximize your impact with a matching gift! Did you know many companies offer a matching gift program to encourage philanthropy among their employees? Some companies will even match to spouses and retirees.
AmazonSmile
The AmazonSmile program is a simple and automatic way for Amazon customers to donate to Wheaton College every time they shop at Amazon at no additional cost to the customer. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from eligible AmazonSmile purchases.
Volunteer Grants
Volunteer grant programs are corporate giving programs in which companies provide monetary donations to organizations where employees volunteer regularly. If you volunteer with us, it's an easy way to provide us with additional financial support!
Pay It Forward by Leaving a Legacy
What will your legacy be?
A legacy gift can benefit both you and Wheaton—all during your lifetime and afterward. We can help you find the best way to make your gift, and perhaps find a gift option that you might not have otherwise thought was possible, such as:
Estate Planning
You could add an addendum to your will or trust that designates an amount or percentage to go to Wheaton. A clear advantage of this gift is that it does not impact your current lifestyle at all, but it does provide Wheaton with assets for its future stability.
Life Income Gifts
You could establish a charitable gift annuity that you would provide you with fixed payments for life in exchange for a gift of cash or securities to Wheaton.
Beneficiary Designation
You can designate Wheaton as a beneficiary of your retirement plans or life insurance policies. A clear advantage of this gift is that it does not impact your current lifestyle at all, but it does provide Wheaton with assets for its future stability.