Million
Dollar
Match
For Signature
Learning Experiences
You Give. We Match.
Double Your Impact.
Build Brighter Futures
Elizabethtown College has launched a $40 million effort focused entirely on student scholarships, ensuring future generations of Blue Jays have access to a transformative Etown education.
X
The Million Dollar Match Is Back
Following the success of Elizabethtown College’s initial Million Dollar Match campaign which resulted in the creation of 22 new endowed scholarships in 2025, we’re excited to announce a new challenge to expand access to a transformational Etown education.
This time, the Million Dollar Match supports Elizabethtown College’s Signature Learning Experiences (SLEs), the cornerstone of how students learn, grow, and lead beyond the classroom. Thanks to a $500,000 challenge fund provided by generous donors, this new initiative will double $25,000 SLE commitments, dollar for dollar, to create 20 new $50,000 SLE funds.
Together, we will generate $1 million in new SLE funding to ensure more students have access to the personalized, hands-on experiences that define the Etown difference.
What Are Etown’s Signature Learning Experiences?
Signature Learning Experiences (SLEs) are real-world educational opportunities that challenge students to go beyond the classroom where they apply knowledge, solve problems, and make an impact.
They are called “signature” because each experience is unique, just like every Etown student. At Elizabethtown College, we don’t just encourage learning beyond the classroom - we guarantee it. Every student participates in at least two of our five SLEs.
Internship, Practicum, or Field Placement
Students gain hands-on experience in a professional setting aligned with their major and career goals.
Supervised Research
Students work alongside a faculty mentor to explore, test, and bring their big ideas to life.
Capstone Course, Project, or Development Portfolio
Students showcase their growth and knowledge through a culminating project, publication, or performance.
Cross-Cultural Experience
Students can broaden their worldview through study abroad or domestic intercultural learning experiences.
Community-Based Learning
Students live out Etown’s Educate for Service motto by engaging in service that meets community needs locally and globally.
Important Information to Qualify for the Million Dollar Match
- The match is only available to first-time endowment donors.
- A $25,000 commitment in the form of an outright gift or a multi-year pledge is required.
- Gifts can be made through cash, stocks or other securities, a donor-advised fund, or an IRA-qualified charitable distribution.
- Each donor/household is eligible for one match.
- Contact ia@etown.edu or 800-877-9658 to learn more today!
The Power of an Endowment
An endowment is a sustainable fund that grows over time and is awarded annually to qualified students.
- Endowed funds can be personalized. Some donors have created endowments in their own names, while others have created funds that honor family members, beloved professors, colleagues, or friends.
- Endowed funds offer varied areas of support, from need-based aid through academic programs to international opportunities and beyond.
-
You can create an endowment that supports any of the Signature Learning Experiences at Etown.
Olivia Fabiano ’25
Marketing and Psychology
“Etown encourages hands-on experiences through internships, meet and greets, and projects. I’ve been able to collaborate on marketing campaigns, allowing me to apply classroom concepts to real-world situations, as well as speak to endless professionals in my field. These experiences have honed my skills in market research, development, and analytics, making me more prepared for the industry.”
Jay Diaz ’26
Environmental Science
“It is incredible the amount of networking, research, and internship opportunities are brought to your attention by professors and how hands on classes are at Etown.”
Gabi Cilio ’25
Occupational Therapy
“From the start of college, I knew I wanted to study abroad. I spent a semester in Melbourne, Australia, and participated in a May term service-learning opportunity in Vietnam. These experiences boosted my confidence and increased my understanding of different cultures and ways of life.”