Nineteen Northwest faculty and staff members are serving as Team Northwest ambassadors this fall. Pictured left to right in the front row are Carolyn Johnson, Rachel Mayfield, Anna Summa, Jill Baker, Amy Washam and Ashley Henggeler. Pictured left to right in the back row are Mark Hornickel, Marsha Martin, Shannon Heitman, Amy Nuttal, Brenda Untiedt, Joni Adkins and Karen From Not pictured: Cindy Kenkel, Erika Yocom, Stancy Bond, Mackenzie Magwire, Rachel Brooks and Kristin Little.

Dec. 3, 2018

Team Northwest campaign encourages employees to give back

Green pennants with the words “TEAM NORTHWEST” are appearing again on office doors and windows throughout the Northwest Missouri State University campus this fall. Now in its fourth year, the pennants are a symbol of not just school spirit, but faculty and staff support of University scholarships and programs.

Northwest’s annual giving campaign for faculty and staff, conducted by the Office of University Advancement, encourages employees to support areas of the University they are passionate about through monetary gifts. The campaign is designed to raise awareness throughout the campus community of the importance private support plays in Northwest and its students’ success.

Employee participation in the faculty and staff annual giving campaign enhances Northwest’s profile in the eyes of prospective donors and funding foundations. As an added incentive, all employees who give to the campaign receive the Team Northwest pennant.

Shelby Bottiger, Northwest’s annual giving and donor relations specialist, says all gifts are valued, no matter the amount. 

“Having faculty and staff give back to Northwest speaks volumes to our stakeholders,” Bottiger said. “When we tell our story of how faculty and staff support funds that help students in need, we are showing people Bearcat culture.”

Employees are invited to designate gifts to any area at Northwest, such as their academic department or a specific scholarship, or donate to the Northwest Fund, which directs funds to the greatest needed areas on campus. Employees also have the option of supporting Northwest’s Pay It Forward Fund or the Bearcat Food Pantry.

Nineteen Northwest faculty and staff members who represent academic, administrative and athletics offices were appointed Team Northwest ambassadors this fall and are working to help increase participation in the campaign.

Stancy Bond, an English instructor and Team Northwest ambassador, says she was compelled to give to University initiatives after one of her students confided in her about financial issues.

“For me, it’s all about the students – always about the students,” Bond said. “The annual faculty and staff giving campaign allowed me to give back to the Pay It Forward Fund. In addition to that, I am able to subsidize my own department with a very small donation. Northwest Missouri State University lives its values centered on students. That’s the kind of organization I want to support.”

Employees may learn more or submit gifts through a payroll deduction, check or credit card by visiting www.nwmissouri.edu/TeamNorthwest/, or by calling 660.562.1248. Any gift the Northwest Foundation receives between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, will be counted within the current annual giving campaign.

The Northwest Foundation, a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit corporation, is responsible for receiving, investing, stewarding and disbursing private support on behalf of the donors of Northwest Missouri State University for the benefit of the University, its students, faculty, staff and alumni. The Northwest Foundation, governed by a 39-member volunteer board of directors, is staffed by members of Northwest’s Office of University Advancement.

The Northwest Foundation recently announced it secured $4.5 million in donor funding during Fiscal Year 2018, adding to a record $17 million during the last two years.

For more information about the Northwest Foundation or to make a gift to support Northwest, contact the Office of University Advancement at 660.562.1248 or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/GiveOnline.