Support the Tepper School on Giving CMU Day
Bruce Gebhardt (MSIA 1984) encourages others to give back on Tuesday, Dec. 1 and help unlock his challenge on Giving CMU Day.
Each year, thousands of Tartans around the world have the opportunity to support the initiatives and programs at Carnegie Mellon that are closest to their hearts. Giving CMU Day on Tuesday, Dec. 1 is the time to make an extraordinary impact for Carnegie Mellon students at a time when they need it the most. It’s also a day when generosity goes furthest and challenges can magnify gifts.
This rang especially true for Bruce Gebhardt (MSIA 1984), partner at Pathfinder Capital Advisors, LLC, as he posed a unique challenge to the community this year. If 400 donors make a gift to the Tepper School in support of Giving CMU Day, Gebhardt will contribute $25,000 to the Tepper School Annual Fund.
“This year has been a difficult time for everyone; it is now more important that everyone give according to their ability,” Gebhardt said. “I created this challenge to encourage all alumni to participate in giving. My hope is that our goal will be exceeded, and we will demonstrate some esprit de corps.”
Carnegie Mellon has observed Giving CMU Day annually since 2014 in conjunction with Giving Tuesday, a U.S. tradition recognized on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving as a day for charitable giving during the holiday season. It’s the largest day for philanthropy each year, when the global Tartan family comes together to impact the programs that are most important to them.
Gebhardt has always stressed the importance of supporting local Pittsburgh organizations, including those created by members of the Tepper School community, such as Fifth Season. “You have to give where your investment and involvement can make a difference. Those of us crazy enough to think we might change the world just might do so,” he said.
Created by CEO and co-founder Austin Webb (MBA 2017), Fifth Season’s indoor vertical farming concept fascinated Gebhardt, and he provided seed funding to the company.
“Fifth Season is an example of an idea spouting into a success story. If you are in the Pittsburgh area and haven't tried their non-GMO, pesticide-free, sustainably grown produce, you should.”
Last year, 4,995 donors supported more than 500 areas of Carnegie Mellon — scholarships, colleges, athletics, research, student organizations, and more. With the help of generous supporters, there’s no limit to what can be made possible this year.
“There were a lot of good people in the Class of '84,” Gebhardt said. “The Tepper School has continued to evolve since then, but we have to keep the momentum up, and for that we need solid alumni support. If we don’t do it, who will?”
Save Tuesday, Dec. 1 on your calendar to be a part of this global day of giving.
