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At the July 11 Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees meeting, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, reported on the University’s record fundraising year, spurred on by the annual ONE DAY, ONE SIUE fundraiser, which raised $2,344,574 from more than 2,000 donors. The total amount of the April 18 event surpassed the goal, set by the SIUE Foundation, of $1.3 million. 

“We established a very ambitious goal and we did not know exactly how people would respond,” said Minor. “I'm just so pleased and so proud of our alumni, our corporate partners, and our community for supporting this University beyond our expectation, which has been amazing.”

“Our ONE DAY campaign ushered in a new level of charitable giving at SIUE,” said Connie Collins, CFRE, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and CEO of the SIUE Foundation. “Our community of alumni and friends embraced the momentum and led us to the most generous year of fundraising in our history, of over $12.6 million.”

Collins began her tenure with SIUE Foundation in January.

ONE DAY, ONE SIUE is the culmination of months of challenge gifts and an online giving campaign, in the form of an annual celebration that occurs in SIUE’s Morris University Center. During this year’s event with hundreds in attendance, tornado warnings and sirens blared throughout the Edwardsville campus and surrounding towns. In response, the musicians of the Red & Black Brass Brand, with assistance by mascot Eddie the Cougar, led party attendees to shelter in the building’s lower level. Dancing and merriment ensued as donors united in loyalty enjoyed the celebration regardless of location. Despite severe weather, the 6:30 p.m. program started right on time.

“So we made the best of the situation and the next thing you know we had a really beautiful dance party going,” said Julie Babington, director of annual giving with the SIUE Foundation. “The outpouring of support for the community, our students, faculty and staff was incredible.” 

“I couldn’t be more proud of our fundraising team and the hard work they've been doing over the past year. You know, they say it takes a village and our team came through.”

The SIUE Foundation credits individual donors, corporate partners and SIUE alumni for putting their dollars behind the SIUE mission.

“I've got a few ideas on how to spend it,” said Jill Essner, MBA, (‘17), who serves on the 25-member SIUE Alumni Board of Directors as chair of the Scholarship and Awards Committee. "We just want to do more good, and raise more money for scholarships.”

“Despite the tornado warnings, it was so rewarding to see so many students and alumni rally around the mission of the ONE DAY, ONE SIUE event,” said Andrew Glenn, CFA, CFP® (‘07), Chairperson, SIUE Foundation Board of Directors.

“The SIUE Foundation and University staff did a fantastic job of planning a successful, energetic event, which was no small task. I can’t wait to see how we build on this momentum in years to come, deepening the relationship with SIUE, the community, and all our great alumni.”

At the close of FY24, SIUE’s fundraising efforts produced a $1.3 million or 11.5% increase from the previous year, totaling more than $12.65 million.

“Donations from alumni and friends amplify and accelerate SIUE’s capacity to change lives,” said Collins. “There’s no better investment than preparing students for successful careers and lives of purpose." 
 
PHOTOS: ONE DAY, ONE SIUE celebration in the Meridian Ballroom at Morris University Center; SIUE students and staff attending ONE DAY, ONE SIUE