SIU Day of Giving raises over $4M

CARBONDALE, Ill. (KFVS) - The 2023 Southern Illinois University Day of Giving has reached new heights, after 3,702 donors raised over $4M in 24 hours.

The 7th annual SIU Day of Giving was held on Tuesday, March 28. The university said this year’s focus for the 24-hour online fundraising effort was on engagement.

“The SIU Day of Giving is about Saluki spirit. It’s about engaging with the university and being a part of something bigger,” said SIU Foundation CEO Matt Kupec in a released statement. “When thousands of Salukis focus their energy on a singular goal, it’s an incredible sight to behold.”

Supporters were encouraged to visit siuday.siu.edu to make a monetary gift of any size and directed to any college, unit, program or initiative. For a third year, the SIU Day of Giving featured a broadcast featuring Chancellor Austin Lane, every college’s dean, members of the faculty and staff and students.

Online, there was also a feature showing leaderboards of what groups have brought in the most gifts and what groups have raised the most throughout the day.

The funds raised will enhance scholarship opportunities, support faculty, all equipment to be purchases. There were donors in 45 states. The total raised and amount of donations were both new records.

“The Day of Giving continues to be a marquee event on campus,” said Kupec. “Each year, the excitement builds, and Saluki Nation shows what it can accomplish when everyone comes together.”

According to Southern Illinois University, more than $3.5 million was raised through more than 2,400 individual donations last year. Nearly $10 million total has been raised in the past six years of the event.

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