Giving / Why Giving Matters

Why Giving Matters

Did you know that tuition dollars cover only about one third of the real cost of a College of Charleston undergraduate education? Or that more than 68% of our students receive scholarship and/or financial aid support?

But thanks to the generosity of our donors each year, the College is able to provide vital support for student scholarships, academic programs, faculty research, and facility and technology upgrades.

Last year, more than 7,300 alumni, parents, friends, corporations and foundations, students, faculty and staff made the College a philanthropic priority and their gifts impacted every corner of campus.

Philanthropic support at the College:

• Helps the College enroll and retain the most promising students.  Last year, $6.49 million was invested in scholarship support, fellowships and student research programs.
• Inspires others to give and creates a ripple effect. (We call it the #CougarEffect!) Alumni giving is a vote of confidence. Additional alumni and other donors (such as corporations and foundations) want to know they’re investing in an institution that has the support of its community. Last year, more than 539 new alumni donors gave back to the College!