SIUE Community Raises Nearly $428,000 on Giving Tuesday

EDWARDSVILLE - Donors to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s annual Giving Tuesday campaign, themed “Cougar Nation Gives Back,” contributed $427,989.10 in philanthropic support through scholarships, program enhancements, faculty support, and state of the art facilities, an 19.2% percent increase from last year.

The campaign drew 990 gifts from 828 unique donors, with an average gift of $432.31, highlighting the generosity and broad engagement of the SIUE community. This year’s Giving Tuesday focused on Athletics and Student Organization crowdfunding, with five student organizations collectively raising $2,660.

“We are grateful to our donors for their generosity and shared commitment to SIUE,” said Connie Collins, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and CEO of the SIUE Foundation. “They made SIUE a priority on this national Giving Tuesday, creating meaningful impact for our students, faculty, and campus community.”

Athletics supporters played a significant role in the campaign’s success, raising more than $181,000, including $112,697 in support of the Cougars Champions Fund.

“We are incredibly thankful for the leadership and generosity of SIUE supporters Paul '83 and Kay '88 Guse who generously donated $25,000 in support of the Cougars Champions Fund. SIUE alums and basketball season ticket holders also encouraged others to join in by pledging an additional $25,000 to match every gift to the Cougars Champions Fund and this truly kick-started this effort,” said Andrew Gavin, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics.

“Their match inspired our Cougar community to give—and thanks to that momentum, the match was fully met. We are grateful to everyone who stepped up to support our student-athletes.”

Giving Tuesday continues to be a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved when Cougar Nation rallies together in support of SIUE’s mission.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high-quality education that powerfully transforms the lives of all individuals who seek something greater. A premier metropolitan university, SIUE is creating social and economic mobility for individuals while also powering the workforce of the future. Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. Home to a diverse student body, SIUE is situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi River’s rich bottomland and only a short drive from downtown St. Louis.

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