SLU Giving Day Raises More than $400,000 for the University
It took just 24 hours for 816 Billikens and donors to raise $406,494 on April 9, 2026 during Saint Louis University’s largest annual online giving campaign.
“With how generous the SLU community is each year, it wasn’t at all surprising to
see so much support pour in for SLU Giving Day,” said Danielle Christopher, assistant
director of digital philanthropy. “We received gifts from individuals in 40 states.
And it wasn’t just alumni who participated; faculty, staff, students, parents and
family members also contributed throughout the campaign. Our Billikens’ spirit of
giving is alive and well.”
This year’s SLU Giving Day contributions will support schools and colleges, athletics
programs, critical student support efforts and academic scholarships. Generous SLU
donors offered more than 20 matching and challenge gifts totaling over $300,000, ranging
from $1,000 to $50,000, and supporting 10 schools and colleges, SLU-Madrid and Billiken
Athletics.
It’s always inspiring to see so many people in the SLU community come together to make a difference for our students and programs in such a short amount of time."
Kate Brennan, director of annual giving
A $25,000 pledge from President Edward Feser, Ph.D., and First Lady Kathy Feser was unlocked when 250 gifts were made to SLU within the first few hours of the campaign. To fuel the momentum, the Fesers pledged an additional $25,000 after 700 gifts had been made.
John (CSB ’99) and Beth O’Leary (DCHS ’01) also provided a challenge to donors, giving $5,000 to the Doisy College of Health Sciences Annual Fund after 25 gifts to the college were received. Parents of a 2026 graduate also matched $5,000 of the SLU Giving Day contributions to the Chaifetz School of Business Annual Fund.
View all of this year’s generous challenge and matching gifts on the SLU Giving Day platform.
Organizers said SLU Giving Day advocates played an essential role in this year’s success, generating 579 clicks and 117 gifts totaling $10,659 — a 69% increase in advocates and a 109% increase in gifts over last year.
“It’s always inspiring to see so many people in the SLU community come together to make a difference for our students and programs in such a short amount of time,” said Kate Brennan, director of annual giving. “We’ve held this campaign since 2017, and each year, the spirit of giving continues to bring alumni, parents, students, faculty and staff, friends and family together in new ways, which is remarkable. We are extremely grateful to everyone who participated this year.”