December 4, 2023 | By Nick Pfost
$20K in crowdfunding expands and extends Willians’ impact
In 25 days, 43 Spectrum Center friends collectively gave $20,095—and we had to raise our goal three times—as the center launched a new fund to help transgender students belong and succeed. Together with a lead gift of $50,000 from Marchell and Jeffrey Willian, the fund will get underway with a total commitment of over $70,000.
A crowdfunding campaign kicked off on November 6, following the announcement of the Willians’ gift, and ran for the duration of November, Transgender Awareness Month. It continued to attract support through the very last day.
“Our team is surprised and delighted, and just endlessly grateful for people’s incredible generosity,” said Jesse Beal, Spectrum Center’s director. “And for Marchell and Jeffrey, and the love for their son Kel, whose family modeled and inspired so many others to express their love in this public and meaningful way."
"I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—Parents loving our trans and nonbinary children for all of who they are is an important message. Always, but especially right now. The way our community showed up for our students is incredible."
Every gift to the Trans Belonging Fund will help enhance programming and initiatives supporting trans and nonbinary students and increase education on gender for the larger campus community. Funding will be used for support services and wellness, education and training, and events and community-building initiatives.
To give to the Trans Belonging Fund after the conclusion of the crowdfunding campaign, add the fund to your basket on Michigan Online Giving. Spectrum Center will launch its next fundraiser for Giving Blueday, March 13, 2024, benefitting student emergency funding.
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