Billikens Unite for SLU Giving Day

In just a single day, Billikens and donors came together on April 10 and raised $582,869 during Saint Louis University's annual 24-hour giving initiative. 

"I am overwhelmed by the support of our generous alumni, faculty, staff, parents, students and friends," said Danielle Christopher, assistant director of digital philanthropy. "SLU Giving Day is a great example of how Billikens live the mission each and every day.” 

SLU Giving Day is designed to benefit various fundraising efforts across campus. All funds raised support scholarships, student organizations, service initiatives and much more. 

Billikens unlocked an additional $377,300 in matching and challenge gifts this year — including a generous $100,000 contribution to SLU, thanks to a School of Medicine alumnus — after 500 gifts were made. 

Judy (A&S ‘82) and Jerry Kent gave $100,000 to the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business once 100 gifts had been made to the school. Past Billiken parent Cathy Kroeff contributed $25,000 once 25 gifts had been made to the Dean’s Undergraduate Public Health Endowed Scholarship. 

View all of this year’s generous challenge and matching gifts on our Giving Day platform.

This year’s 751 SLU Giving Day donors came from 40 states. Nearly half were alumni, with faculty and staff making up 19% and parents or family members making up 17% of our donors. 

Much of the credit for the day’s success is due to the almost 70 supporters who served as Giving Day advocates, spreading the word about how to give via social media, emails and conversations leading up to the day. 

The impact of this single day of giving will be felt on campus, in St. Louis and beyond. 

"Year after year, I am impressed by what we can accomplish when we all unite for a shared cause," said Kate Brennan, SLU's director of annual giving. "This collective effort magnifies the impact felt across campus.”