The Clark Challenge for the Maryland Promise will establish a $100 million endowment that will provide need-based scholarships to undergraduate students from underserved populations in the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia. When you give to the Clark Challenge for the Maryland Promise, your gift will be matched dollar for dollar by the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation and the University of Maryland.
A note from the donor:
The South Asian community has benefited immensely from the ecosystem of the University of Maryland. The University has played an integral role in providing families and students with access to education, opportunities, and experiences that they would not have received otherwise. As a result, members of the community touched by UMD are thriving, excelling and in a position to positively influence others in need. The SEVA Need-Based Scholarship is a means for the South Asian community to give back to those less fortunate but full of potential that could similarly flourish upon receiving the Maryland touch.
Seva is a Sanskrit word that describes the act of selfless service. Seva is an act of compassion and care for others above oneself. The Vedas proclaim that charity is one of the highest virtues for human beings on earth. Bhagavadgita speaks of a gift that is given without any expectation of appreciation or reward as beneficial to both giver and recipient. Isha Upanishad points to the fact that true enjoyment and peace lies in detachment from wealth.
Giving is contagious and one should raise awareness among others about the need to cultivate a giving nature. A helpful soul provides immediate happiness and peace. A good human being feels more happiness in giving to others than anyone can feel in receiving gifts from others, which is why this fund was established.