For the fourth straight year, Western Illinois University is thrilled to announce a record-breaking GivingTuesday campaign on December 2nd.
WIU saw a total of $135,800 raised through gifts from 476 donors during the 24-hour stretch, contributing to WIU programs and special projects that positively impact WIU students, faculty, staff and the University as a whole. This is a 42% increase from last year’s then-record $95,840 raised during GivingTuesday.
This year’s event saw donors unlock a $25,000 challenge gift that will boost student recruitment and retention initiatives, a $10,000 match to further the Trading and Commodities Lab project in the College of Business and Technology, as well as matching opportunities to support the School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration and the WIU Food Pantry.
Amy Crosby, interim executive director for Advancement and Alumni Relations, expressed her appreciation for donors to this year’s GivingTuesday event.
“We’re incredibly grateful to our friends and alumni who came together in support of Western students and programs this GivingTuesday,” Crosby said. “Their generosity helped make this our strongest GivingTuesday yet and strengthened student opportunities across our Macomb and Quad Cities campuses. President Mindrup’s $25,000 challenge gift added to that momentum by increasing the impact of every contribution and will support scholarships, programs and resources that help WIU attract and retain talented students.”
Jenni Lopez, WIU assistant director of Annual Giving, said this year’s effort is another example showing the strength of the Leatherneck community.
“As a former student fundraiser and now a member of the WIU development team, I’ve helped with numerous Giving Tuesdays over the years,” Lopez said. “The support we receive from our alumni and friends never fails to make me proud to call myself a Leatherneck.”
While the official GivingTuesday has concluded, WIU continues to connect people with philanthropic opportunities that align with their interests and passions throughout the year as part of Western’s Annual Fund effort.
To contribute to the area of your choice, visit wiu.edu/give. Donations can be made conveniently through most major credit and debit cards, mobile wallets and Donor-Advised Funds/DAFs.
For more details on WIU’s Annual Fund and other giving opportunities, contact the WIU Foundation at (309) 298-1861, [email protected] or wiu.edu/giving.
