BearsWIN Keynote Presentation
Join us for an inspiring evening with the iconic Danica Patrick, renowned for her groundbreaking career in motorsports and her unwavering dedication to causes that truly matter. Danica Patrick is not only a trailblazer in the world of racing, a wine entrepreneur and vineyard owner, but also a passionate advocate for women.
Date & Time: 7:00 p.m. February 28
Location: Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts
This event is free and open to the public. No registration or tickets are required. Seating is on a first-come basis.
Parking for the keynote will be available in Bear Park North on the Missouri State University campus located directly west of Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.
Danica Patrick’s visit to Missouri State University is made possible thanks to presenting sponsor, Physical Therapy Specialists Clinic, Mary and Jeff Schrag.
Fact Sheet Press Release:
1. What is BearsWIN (Women’s Impact Network)?
BearsWIN is the new women’s philanthropy group with the MSU Foundation. The BearsWIN network of advocates honor the impact of women by addressing the most pressing needs of students at MSU. We optimize our time, talent, testimony, and treasure to turn big ideas into measurable and meaningful change for the Missouri State University System.
The first 3 focus initiatives for BearsWIN are:
a. Mental Wellness
b. Degree Completion
c. Neurodiversity and mental wellness (MSU West Plains campus)
2. Why a Women’s Philanthropy Group?
Research shows that women tend to give where they believe they make a difference with their gift regardless of the amount of the gift. When women collaborate and work together, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish … and there’s just something special about women joining together for a common purpose.
3. Why now?
Per Kathleen Loehr’s Gender Matters, research shows that women are the drivers of their families’ philanthropic decisions. Women give more than men. And when they give, they give differently.
Additionally, students need us now more than ever.
Did you know:
– 71% of college students said they were struggling with stress, anxiety and depression.
– 50% of college students cited their own mental health struggles as their top stressor in 2023.
– Each year some students who are on track to graduate with a degree encounter a life event that prevents them from completing their educational pursuits. The average deficit for these students to complete a degree is $1,500. We want to ensure no qualified student on track to graduate is dropped due to inability to pay tuition for these types of situations.
– MSU West Plains is home to the TJ Swift House ASCEND transition program, which is designed to encourage and foster self-confidence, self-advocacy, and growing independence in college students with autism. A fee of $3,000 is required to participate in the program each semester. The fee is put in place to ensure the needed materials and program team members are available.
Each of these important facts and statistics represents the call to action for the first initiatives for BearsWIN.
4. What are the goals and parameters of the first 3 fundraising initiatives?
1. Mental Wellness (Springfield Campus)
Financial assistance for students seeking counseling or psychiatric services at Magers Health and Wellness Center.
· 71% of college students said they were struggling with stress, anxiety and depression.
· 50% of college students cited their own mental health struggles as their top stressor in 2023.
Goal for this initiative by 2026
$250,000 for the Endowment (to be invested for perpetual use)
$ 50,000 for the Restricted Fund (which can be used immediately for mental wellness needs)
2. Degree Completion (Springfield Campus)
Help for students who have exhausted other areas of assistance, but still need financial support to complete a degree.
· Missouri State offers the Degree Completion Assistance Fund grant to assist students who have an outstanding balance with the university that prevents them from enrolling, registering or graduating.
· The BearsWIN fund will provide additional support in this area to ensure a broader group of students receive financial help to graduate.
Goal for this initiative by 2026
$75,000 for the Endowment (to be invested for perpetual use)
$25,000 for the Restricted Fund (For immediate use)
3. Neurodiversity/Mental Wellness (West Plains campus)
Support for the TJ Swift House ASCEND (Autism Support Can Empower New Directions) Program for students on the autism disorders spectrum who are transitioning out of high school.
· As this campus continues to grow and evolve so does the need for private gift support.
· The BearsWIN fund for West Plains will help the area of greatest need such as mental wellness and neurodiversity initiatives.
Goal for this initiative by 2026
$75,000 for the Endowment (to be invested for perpetual use)
$25,000 for the Restricted Fund (for immediate use)
5. Volunteer Opportunities
Do You Consider Yourself a Philanthropist? Do you believe in honoring and heightening the power of women who work together to create a collective impact and make a meaningful difference? If so, BearsWIN is a program you should know about!
Women give in so many ways. We give of our time, our wisdom, our support, and our resources. We are invested in bettering our homes, our communities, and our world. We give to things we care about. Women now participate in 90% of household decisions around philanthropy and are increasingly the sole decision makers in how philanthropic money is distributed.
We are philanthropists. And at Missouri State University, we are joining together to make an impact on the University we love.
Join us! BearsWIN is a passionate group of primarily women volunteer leaders, working to empower individuals to engage with Missouri State University while deeply connecting with current and prominent issues that matter on our campuses.
What you gain
· Lend your voice to a collective group of passionate volunteers working together to enrich student lives across the MSU and MSU-West Plains campuses
· Volunteer experience, networking opportunities, and deeper MSU engagement
What you give
· Leadership, passion, ideas, connections, and a collective spirit
· Time, talent, testimony, and treasure through time dedicated to the BearsWIN program
· Attendance at BearsWIN committee meetings.
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