LMU Gives Together, the university’s 2023 Day of Giving campaign, was a rousing success, raising more than $1.6 million in support of programs, scholarships, faculty, and more. Taking place over a thrilling 24-hour period on April 4, the campaign was a true community effort that brought together alumni, students, faculty, staff, friends, and supporters in a festive celebration that touched every corner of the campus. More than 3,400 donors gave generously in support of LMU’s vision to ignite a better world.
“I was so inspired to see the level of Lion pride that was on display,” said Peter Wilch, senior vice president for University Advancement. “In particular, we saw extraordinary participation this year from our students, as more than 200 of them stepped up and donated to their favorite campus causes. Not only did they contribute to our campaign, they helped us tell our story through their impassioned calls to action on social media. The future looks exceptionally bright with these students leading the way.”
This year’s Day of Giving lived up to its theme with an emphasis on peer-to-peer fundraising, as LMU’s Advocate program encouraged community members to spread the word via their own social networks. Online tools and training were provided to volunteer advocates, who collectively inspired 80 gifts totaling more than $18,000. With studies showing that people are 44 percent more likely to give when asked by their peers rather than by institutions, LMU will continue to grow its Advocate program in coming years, further demonstrating that great things happen when we all give together.
Energetic results were seen in departments across campus. Student Affairs, which is dedicated to LMU’s mission of educating the whole person, raised a robust $260,000 from 647 donors, supporting everything from outdoor recreation to service and community impact. Gifts included $67,500 from the Parent and Family Leadership Council and a $25,000 match from an anonymous donor; matches and challenges drove a total of $131,500 in gifts for Student Affairs. The College of Business Administration also saw a record number of challenges and matches this year as multiple donors came together to establish a challenge or match for every major and program in the college as well as the Fred Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship and the LMU Real Estate Advisory Council (REAC).
LMU Athletics enjoyed particular success, raising nearly $560,000 from more than 1,000 donors. These included a $100,000 matching challenge from LMU Board of Trustees members Kristi Frey ’90 and J.C. Frey ’90. Men’s rowing and women’s softball each received a bonus $10,000 challenge gift for raising the most money within the men’s and women’s teams, courtesy of LMU Board of Regents member Mike Smith ’87 and Kathlene Bogard Smith ’90, P ’14, P ’17; LMU Board of Regents member Joe Bronson and Linda Bronson; and an anonymous donor.
“The LMU community came through for us in a powerful way,” said Athletics Director Craig Pintens. “The many generous gifts we received will have a tremendous impact, supporting the annual needs of our teams and ensuring our student-athletes can achieve on the field of play, in the classroom, and in the community. On behalf of all LMU Lions, we thank you!”
LMU’s social media channels were lit up throughout the day as supporters used the hashtag #LMUGivesTogether to share photos and messages encouraging others to give. Technology helped drive the momentum in this campaign, as a record 46 percent of donations came via a new mobile wallet option. In addition, the average size of our gifts increased by 35 percent, highlighting a deep well of giving in the LMU community.
You can still make a difference! Strengthen Lions’ educational experience by supporting any area of campus that is meaningful to you.