UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Continuing its long history of philanthropy to the University, the Penn State Alumni Association has pledged a $50,000 match to the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) Basic Needs Endowment.

The class gift of the Penn State class of 2024, the Basic Needs Endowment will provide sustained support for students facing hardships in pursuit of their degree.

Penn State students at any campus with identified need will have the opportunity to receive support from the UPUA Basic Needs Endowment. This may include students facing an emergency (family, medical, housing, food and more), and funds will be allocated based on specific need-based requests made by students at any point during the academic year.

“Penn State students are at the foundation of what makes our University so special,” said Alumni Association CEO Paul Clifford (graduate class of 2020). “The Alumni Association and the larger alumni family will always be here to support students in their time of need. We hope our matching of the Basic Needs Endowment can continue that support and help our students successfully continue their Penn State journeys.”

The Alumni Association has a history of funding similar projects and has made the three largest contributions in the history of class gifts, including its support of the Elms Endowment in 1996 and Counseling and Psychological Services in 2016.

This support comes from the Alumni Association’s Margin of Excellence Fund, which exists for the sole purpose of supporting Penn State and its students. 

Established in 1870, the Penn State Alumni Association connects alumni to the University and to each other; provides valuable benefits to members; and supports the University’s mission of teaching, research and service. More information about the Alumni Association is available at alumni.psu.edu.

Those interested in donating to the 2024 Class Gift can do so by texting “ClassGift2024” to 41444 or giving online at raise.psu.edu/classgift2024. Questions can be directed to Anna Wood, class gift adviser, at [email protected].

Gifts to the 2024 Class Gift will advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.