{"id":2076,"date":"2021-03-04T20:59:27","date_gmt":"2021-03-04T20:59:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=2076"},"modified":"2021-03-05T21:29:19","modified_gmt":"2021-03-05T21:29:19","slug":"siu-day-of-giving-raises-over-2-8-million-more-than-3000-donors-chip-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=2076","title":{"rendered":"SIU Day of Giving raises over $2.8 million: More than 3,000 donors chip in"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Pictured left to right: Chancellor Austin A. Lane and SIU Foundation CEO Matt Kupec discuss the importance of SIU Day of Giving on set in the WSIU-TV studio.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

CARBONDALE –\u00a0 The numbers are in, and they tell an incredible story.<\/p>\n

More than $2.8 million was raised during the 2021 SIU Day of Giving, shattering last year\u2019s record.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat an incredible day to be a Saluki,\u201d said Matt Kupec, CEO of the SIU Foundation. \u201cOur alumni and donors take a lot of pride in supporting this university, and the Day of Giving puts their dedication on display.\u201d<\/p>\n

There were more than 3,400 individual gifts made during the 24-hour period between Wednesday and Thursday. This, too, far outpaced totals from previous giving days. Donations were made in 50 states and 11 countries.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe sheer number of people who decided to log on and make a gift is inspiring,\u201d Kupec said. \u201cAll gifts, no matter how large, make an impact. Our students, faculty, and staff are thankful for every donor.\u201d<\/p>\n

The highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whether supporting a college, program, or specific scholarship, donors were able to choose from several initiatives.<\/p>\n

The Balancing Education, Experience & Reality Scholarship received more than 900 individual gifts, which totaled more than $63,000. That\u2019s enough to endow two more B.E.E.R Scholarships.<\/p>\n

The idea for the scholarship was born out of the Carbondale in the \u201980s and \u201990s Facebook group before the 2019 Day of Giving. Through the generosity of Day of Giving donors, there will now be six endowed B.E.E.R Scholarships.<\/p>\n

The SIU School of Medicine earned the largest amount of total dollars, bringing in more than $363,000. The College of Liberal Arts came in a close second with more than $325,000. Here are the other areas that finished in the Top 10:<\/p>\n