Why give to Mathcamp?
The donors in our community each come with their own reasons: some are alumni who are passing the torch, others focus on the transformational power of a five-week summer immersion as a high-impact use of their dollars. No matter what brings you here, we're happy to have you!
Here are three interlocking ways to think about the 'why' of giving to Mathcamp: the organization is stable, the program stands out, and the impact is far-reaching.
Structural Stability
Whenever we make charitable giving decisions, we want to know that the organization we're supporting is solid. Let's take a look behind the scenes.
Mathcamp is a stable, thriving operation. Our students and staff return to the program year after year. Over the last decade, we've consistently seen:
- About two thirds of our students come for 2+ years, and about one sixth come for 3+ years;
- More than half of our staff come for 2+ years, and about a third come for 3+ years.
And our Board Members and year-round staff have been with Mathcamp for an average of 20 years each!
We are honored that our donors give year after year as well. That consistent participation across the board puts Mathcamp on a steady course.
Why give? Because Mathcamp is small enough to appreciate the impact of each donation, but strong enough to be enduring.
What makes Mathcamp special?
Two things: our curriculum and our community.
Robust curriculum
The abundance of mathematical possibilities at Mathcamp makes it unusual among summer programs in several key ways. The breadth of options, with about 25 different courses each week, provides radical flexibility for each student to craft a unique path through the program that suits their interests and needs. At the same time, the depth of the curriculum, from introductory proof-writing classes to graduate seminars, is uniquely poised to challenge even the most sophisticated students who return for multiple summers.
This flexibility also provides incredible opportunities for the staff to develop their own courses and teach what they love.
Close-knit community
The mathematical and social culture at Mathcamp is an oasis of collaboration and warmth that campers repeatedly tell us is life-changing. Our community is grounded in kindness (“Rule 1: Be excellent to each other”) and fosters an expansive sense of possibility for both students and staff.
Past years' staff return year after year to volunteer in Mathcamp’s year-round operations (like serving on hiring and admissions committees) and to shape discussions on policy. (Their volunteer participation is a big part of why we are able to have a tiny full-time staff.)
Why give? Because Mathcamp is delivering a consistent, impactful five-week experience of mathematics and community to students and staff.
Ripple Effects
Mathcamp makes a broader impact than just its summer footprint. Not only does the program change the lives of the 120 students who join us for five weeks, but there are often lasting ripple effects in the home communities of each camper. Many alums get involved in math education, and even start their own outreach programs– frequently by collaborating with fellow Mathcampers (and recruiting Mathcampers as instructors). Here are a few examples of initiatives started by teenagers in our community.
Maths Beyond Limits: a free two-week-long mathematical camp in Central Europe, for students from all over the world, held annually since 2016.
La Communauté Mathématique (CMath): a non-profit organizing competitions and a math community in Burkina Faso, which runs the first math Olympiad in the country.
San Antonio Math Include: a non-profit offering free tutoring and summer camps to provide greater access to STEM education to all students from different backgrounds.
GirlsxMRO: a volunteer-based organization dedicated to introducing girls to the world of math beyond competitions, including advanced topics and research.
Why give? Because Mathcamp changes the lives of incredible kids from all walks of life, and they change their communities.
Thank you so much for your support.
