Meaningful Matches

Matching gifts amplify alumni donor impact.

Bailey Bassett, ’13 BSB, recognizes the impact a robust and enriching Carlson School experience can have in launching a career. She credits her time at the Carlson School with opening doors and setting her up for personal and professional success.

Bassett especially values how the insights of her professors, many of whom brought their industry experience to the classroom, prepared her for corporate life. She was also highly involved in various co-curricular organizations while a student, particularly the Undergraduate Women in Business group, which provided experiential learning opportunities that gave her experience she could take into the workplace.

After graduation, Bassett sought ways to maintain her connections to the Carlson School, and engage with other recent alumni. She joined the Gophers of the Last Decade (GOLD) Board, for which she is now president, and has been a long-time donor, supporting scholarships and other priorities of the school. One way that she ensures her contributions to the school have the greatest impact is by using the matching gift program that her company, UnitedHealth Group, provides.

“I feel privileged to work for a large organization where we are encouraged to give back,” Bassett says. “Working for a healthcare company whose mission is to help people live healthier lives, giving back is the foundation of our culture.”

According to Bassett, UHG actively promotes their United for Giving platform, which provides both opportunities for volunteering in the community as an individual or with colleagues, and information on taking advantage of the company’s “intuitive and easy” matching gift program.

Jenny Wade, ’11 MBA, also finds using her company’s matching gift program to be an easy and rewarding way to increase her support for the Carlson School.

“In its simplest form, matching gifts double your impact,” Wade says. “If you’re looking at something like Investors Circle recognition level giving, a matching gift makes that much more attainable.”

Wade, whose background is in finance, has been with Piper Sandler for 15 years. She feels lucky she was able to earn her MBA part-time while working and receiving some tuition reimbursement.

“If I can give something back to the school, hopefully, that helps to provide the next student the same opportunities as me,” Wade says.

In addition to one-to-one matching dollars up to a certain threshold, Piper Sandler also offers additional funds for employees to grant to organizations for which they serve on a board or in a volunteer capacity. As a new member of the Carlson School Alumni Board, this offers Wade an additional opportunity to amplify her impact at the Carlson School.

“Piper Sandler has a culture of community giving and volunteering— they make it really easy,” Wade says.

At many companies, employees at every career stage are able to take advantage of matching gift programs, at whatever giving level is right for them. Learn more about making a gift with a company match by visiting z.umn.edu/matchinggifts