The Importance of the Fund for McDaniel

The Fund for McDaniel is a critical fundraising priority. Through the Fund for McDaniel, we ensure that your gift goes right where it’s needed most — right when it’s needed most — to guarantee that current students experience the high-quality and impactful education we're known for. Your Annual Fund gift supports the entirety of the McDaniel experience, contributing to the areas of the College that directly affect day-to-day life for our students on campus.

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Students with professor in Kinesiology lab.

The Impact of the Annual Fund

Making a Difference

Annual fund dollars are spent in a way that mirrors how the college's dollars are allocated. And no matter what fresh challenges each school year brings, the following four areas will always require the bulk of the college's resources:

The Learning Experience

We're proud of the investment we make in the academic experience that is the heart of McDaniel College.The largest percentage of the college's funds each fiscal year goes towards things like classroom equipment and resources, seminars, guest lecturers, faculty support, and the library — the things that support McDaniel's academic experience and ensure it remains among the best in our peer group.

Financial Support for Students

McDaniel College's commitment to need-based financial aid for students that provides support regardless of socio-economic background is only possible because of your gifts. Many of the students on our campus couldn't be here if it weren't for the financial help that the college provides. Funding from McDaniel augments federal and state scholarships, grants, and loans to create realistic pathways to college graduation for all students.

Life at McDaniel

At McDaniel College, we know that preparation for the world beyond the college is an essential part of the experience. Student organizations, athletics, counseling, advising, tutoring, the Merritt fitness center — life at McDaniel is more than classroom learning. The college is committed to providing students with a high-quality, comprehensive residential experience, and that includes supporting things like the Student Governance Council, multicultural programming, and on-campus wellness services.

Campus Enhancements

Many of our current and prospective students remark on the beauty of campus and the quality of the college's infrastructure. As the college grows, enhancements to our buildings and grounds and technical resources like wi-fi become necessary. Support from the Fund for McDaniel gives us the flexibility to meet these changing needs.

Students walking around downtown Westminster during McDaniel Local.

A Record Class More Students, More Need Supporting Our Students

The Fall 2019 freshmen class was the largest in the college's history. With this increase in students, we also develop increased needs that include financial support and infrastructure development. The Fund for McDaniel is a critical part of ensuring we have the financial flexibility to meet the college's needs in real-time. Due to the close-knit campus community, our faculty and staff are able to suggest improvements that improve the quality of the student experience. With the help of the Fund for McDaniel, we are able to respond.

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Recent News for Alumni

First 1867 Challenge exceeds donor and dollar goals

Alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends showed their support for current and future McDaniel students during the 1867 Challenge. The entire McDaniel community came together during this year's annual giving campaign to raise $483,839 from 635 donors in 1,876 minutes to honor the college's founding year.
Annual giving campaign supports current and future McDaniel students

The 1867 Challenge, McDaniel College's annual giving campaign, kicks off on Tuesday, March 11, at 9 a.m. and runs through Wednesday, March 12, at 4:07 p.m. That's 1,867 minutes of giving to honor McDaniel’s founding year in support of current and future students.
Students and faculty take home awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival

At the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for Region II, Assistant Professor Shana Joslyn was awarded the Innovative Teaching Award; Theatre Arts junior Ave Maria Contreras won best director for a 24-hour play; and alum Jeremy Volker ’24 earned the regional first place Randy Lutz Allied Design & Technology Award for makeup design.