The Hospitality Center offers a place where Jesus can be known to international students. And since June 2021 we have been sharing the love of Christ with students from all nations.
Here are some of the countries that we have the most students from:
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Starting September 28th, a generous donor is providing a $50,000 matching campaign. Help us meet our goal!
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And this year, we have been focused on relationships more than anything else.
Listen to Samarth tell his story of how the Hospitality Center has impacted him.
Transcript
Hi, my name is Samarth. I come from Bangalore in southern India.
In the fall of 2021, I moved to Minneapolis for a one-year Master's program at the University of Minnesota. Many people knew about the Hospitality Center even before they arrived. Volunteers offered pickups from the airport and gave furniture to help international students when they arrived.
But my first interaction with the Hospitality Center was when they hosted a Welcome Picnic for newly arriving international students. Everyone was given a goodie bag with house essentials, which was really helpful in the new houses we were all moving in. There was also live music and a lot of games with some really interesting prizes to be won.
I actually won a gift card with which I bought my first running shoes. In fact, I ran my first half marathon in them, and I still use them to run every day. I also met Dana there who was volunteering with her husband Alex. And a few months later I went skydiving with Alex for the first time.
Ever since that Welcome Picnic, I've been to many events organized by them. There was this Chinese New Year Dinner, a trip to the Como Zoo, a skiing outing in the winter, and many more.
But my favorite one has to be the Duluth trip they organized. I loved it so much that I went on that trip twice with the Hospitality Center. Once with Jon and then with Anna almost a year later. I enjoyed the North Shore a lot, and more than that, I love meeting new people and making new friends since it was a full-day trip. I really liked how fun and well planned and well organized the trip was, like every other event organized by the Hospitality Center.
The Twin Cities will always be special for me because of the meaningful relationships I have built, which I don't think would be possible without the Hospitality Center. They truly help international students find a "home away from home."
In the fall of 2021, I moved to Minneapolis for a one-year Master's program at the University of Minnesota. Many people knew about the Hospitality Center even before they arrived. Volunteers offered pickups from the airport and gave furniture to help international students when they arrived.
But my first interaction with the Hospitality Center was when they hosted a Welcome Picnic for newly arriving international students. Everyone was given a goodie bag with house essentials, which was really helpful in the new houses we were all moving in. There was also live music and a lot of games with some really interesting prizes to be won.
I actually won a gift card with which I bought my first running shoes. In fact, I ran my first half marathon in them, and I still use them to run every day. I also met Dana there who was volunteering with her husband Alex. And a few months later I went skydiving with Alex for the first time.
Ever since that Welcome Picnic, I've been to many events organized by them. There was this Chinese New Year Dinner, a trip to the Como Zoo, a skiing outing in the winter, and many more.
But my favorite one has to be the Duluth trip they organized. I loved it so much that I went on that trip twice with the Hospitality Center. Once with Jon and then with Anna almost a year later. I enjoyed the North Shore a lot, and more than that, I love meeting new people and making new friends since it was a full-day trip. I really liked how fun and well planned and well organized the trip was, like every other event organized by the Hospitality Center.
The Twin Cities will always be special for me because of the meaningful relationships I have built, which I don't think would be possible without the Hospitality Center. They truly help international students find a "home away from home."
"They truly help international students find a "home away from home."
Relationships are what we are focused on now more than ever. International students continue to express that they feel isolated from other domestic students. But we are a place where they can feel at home again.
They are loved and cared for, and when you give, you allow us to continue offering events and programs that enable students to enjoy a community and experience the love of Christ. We want to share with them in both "word and deed." Join us today and help us continue to befriend the nations here at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. |
Since June 2022, 151 students have found friendship through our programs and events. Your financial gift enables this to continue and to grow.
ADDITIONAL WAYS TO GIVE
Check
Checks should be payable to the Hospitality Center and mailed to:
The Hospitality Center
1407 Cleveland Ave North
St. Paul, MN, 55108
The Hospitality Center
1407 Cleveland Ave North
St. Paul, MN, 55108
Stocks and Mutual Funds
To make a gift of stock or mutual funds to the Hospitality Center, please follow these three simple steps:
- Transfer stock or mutual fund shares to our brokerage account at NFS, or National Finance Services ("The Hospitality Center", Account #TY9-003727, DTC #0226). Your charitable tax deduction is based on the fair market value of the stock or mutual funds on the day of the gift.
- Contact Dan Myers at Thrivent via email or phone to let us know you've transferred stock (otherwise we will not know it is from you!)
- We will then send you the acknowledgement of your gift for your tax records!
DONOR ADVISED FUND (DAF)
Setting up a donor advised fund is easy—many organizations operate a platform for establishing and maintaining your DAF, including Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard, and National Christian Foundation to name a few.
After making tax-deductible contributions to your donor advised fund, you then make grants (charitable gifts) to the Hospitality Center on a periodic or recurring basis. Many people use their DAF as a means to involve their family in the benefits and joys of generosity now, and also create a lasting legacy.
You should be able to designate gifts to the Hospitality Center on an ongoing basis throughout the year or on an annual basis via your DAF website.
After making tax-deductible contributions to your donor advised fund, you then make grants (charitable gifts) to the Hospitality Center on a periodic or recurring basis. Many people use their DAF as a means to involve their family in the benefits and joys of generosity now, and also create a lasting legacy.
You should be able to designate gifts to the Hospitality Center on an ongoing basis throughout the year or on an annual basis via your DAF website.
Charitable Trusts
Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)
A charitable remainder trust (CRT) is a tax-exempt irrevocable trust designed to fund a person’s income needs for a specified period of time, then donating the remainder of the trust assets to your designated charity. They are often used by someone with a significant, appreciating asset (business interest, stocks, etc.) to balance today’s needs with tomorrow’s giving/legacy goals.
Charitable Lead Trust (CLT)
Like a CRT, a charitable lead trust (CLT) can be used to effectively fund your charitable desires. However, a CLT makes gifts upfront to your favorite charity for a period of time, then the remaining assets revert back to the donor or other beneficiaries.
Using your charitable trust to benefit the Hospitality Center is simple—just designate it as your charity of choice. We are happy to discuss what a significant gift to the Hospitality Center can do to elevate our mission and your legacy.
A charitable remainder trust (CRT) is a tax-exempt irrevocable trust designed to fund a person’s income needs for a specified period of time, then donating the remainder of the trust assets to your designated charity. They are often used by someone with a significant, appreciating asset (business interest, stocks, etc.) to balance today’s needs with tomorrow’s giving/legacy goals.
Charitable Lead Trust (CLT)
Like a CRT, a charitable lead trust (CLT) can be used to effectively fund your charitable desires. However, a CLT makes gifts upfront to your favorite charity for a period of time, then the remaining assets revert back to the donor or other beneficiaries.
Using your charitable trust to benefit the Hospitality Center is simple—just designate it as your charity of choice. We are happy to discuss what a significant gift to the Hospitality Center can do to elevate our mission and your legacy.
Planned Giving
You can help our mission be sustainable by providing a planned gift from your assets today and for the future. Extend your faithful and generous giving by chatting with our Executive Director about leaving a legacy gift that ensures international students meet loving Christians and the loving God.
Furniture and Household Goods
These are the items we are accepting right now, thank you!
Furniture
Couches (no longer than 72 inches, no taller/wider than 36 inches) Tables: dining and folding/card tables Chairs: dining, office, and folding Desks (no more than 48” long) |
Household Goods
Cookware Dishes Silverware Appliances - toasters, coffeemakers, electric water heaters, rice cookers, Lamps |
Winter Clothing
Jackets and coats Gloves and mittens Scarves Hats |
1. Fill out the warehouse donation form below, ensure you have photos of your item(s) ready
2. The person coordinating will confirm that we can accept your furniture or household goods
3. Plan to drop off your item(s) between 9a–4p Monday thru Friday or confirm a time for the Hospitality Center staff to pick-up your items for a fee of $75
4. If desired, receive a donation receipt via email
2. The person coordinating will confirm that we can accept your furniture or household goods
3. Plan to drop off your item(s) between 9a–4p Monday thru Friday or confirm a time for the Hospitality Center staff to pick-up your items for a fee of $75
4. If desired, receive a donation receipt via email
Volunteer
Volunteering is always a great way to give to the Hospitality Center. Take a look at some of the opportunities we have on our volunteer page, or if you've never volunteered with us before, just click below to apply!
Prayer
Join the prayer team to read student stories of impact and support us by praying for us. Our work is only effective if God is moving and working in our midst, and for that to happen we need prayer!
Want to learn more about how your support makes a difference? Email our Executive Director, Josh Driver, at [email protected]
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