As Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College hosted its annual day of giving, #WoodsGivingDay, the goal was 500 donors on Feb. 9. The College exceeded the mark with 795 donors and more than $230,000 raised in a single day.
“We blew our goals out of the water”
Jenifer Wright ’17
The addition of community partners, along with a 53% increase in total gifts given on #WoodsGivingDay, propelled SMWC to a record-breaking day. Jenifer Wright ’17, director of annual giving, completed her first year of planning the day.
“I am so pleased with the turnout of #WoodsGivingDay,” Wright said. “We blew our goals out of the water, with our community partners setting this year apart. We can’t wait for next year!”
The funds raised go toward the Woods Fund, the College’s unrestricted fund that directly impacts students and College operations.
“In just 24 hours, our donors contributed more than 20% of our annual Woods Fund goal,” said Catherine Saunders ’98, associate vice president for advancement. “It has made an incredible impact, especially during a year filled with unique challenges.”
Gathered in the Woods Student Center, students, faculty and staff worked the phones from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. calling alumni and friends. Polet Horsley, a junior nursing major, showed her love for The Woods by connecting with alumni. This was Horsley’s first year participating in the day of giving.
“While talking to alumni, it gave me an opportunity to listen to their stories of when they attended and how important it is to continue to support SMWC and students,” she said. “I transferred last year to The Woods and had heard of it prior but never really understood the importance of it until I actually experienced it.”
“Our Woods community came together and demonstrated their passion for SMWC through the act of giving,” Saunders said. “With a priority of participation, our alumni and friends more than met the challenge. So many gave and gave generously.” SMWC partnered with Little Bear Coffee Co., Federal Coffee + Fine Foods, 5th Street Nutrition, Culvers, Chick-fil-A and ISU Credit Union.