Woods Giving Day 2025, the single most significant fundraising event for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC), culminates on Tuesday, February 4, starting at 12:00 a.m. (midnight) EST and running through 11:59 p.m. EST. This will be the 10th Woods Giving Day for SMWC. The day will be filled with student stories, special events and community support to raise awareness of the fundraising efforts for the Woods Fund and to assist students in their educational journey at SMWC. As a part of the $3 million Woods Fund goal announced in the fall, the goal for Woods Giving Day will be to raise $1 million with a donor goal of 1,200. “Goals have been increased because donations in past years have not kept pace with enrollment growth. More students means there is a need for more of just about everything and tuition doesn’t come close to covering it. And this type of growth adds stress to already aging facilities that need updates and improvements,” said Catherine Mickey Saunders ’98, vice president for advancement.
During the day, students, faculty, staff and alumni will make phone calls to donors and potential donors to thank them for their past support of the College and to give them an opportunity to contribute. After the day, a Woods Giving Day honor roll will be posted on smwc.edu to thank those donors for participating.
Like last year, donations made in December and through January 31, 2025, will be counted toward the goal. “This will allow donors that traditionally make their gift at the end of the year to be included in the excitement of Woods Giving Day and its totals,” said Saunders.
Generous donors have created two challenges totaling $325,000 to incentivize early donations. When the College reaches 600 donors by January 31, it will result in a challenge gift of $75,000. Also, by achieving $500,000 in gifts by that date, $250,000 will be donated with an additional challenge gift.
Donors may give and have their donation counted for Woods Giving Day in a few ways:
- Call 888-769-0013 or 812-535-5270
- Mail a check with “Woods Giving Day” in the memo line to PO Box 70, Saint Mary of the Woods, IN 47876
- Give online with a note of “Woods Giving Day” at giving.smwc.edu
Back by popular demand, a gift of $50 or more on Woods Giving Day will award donors a limited-edition pair of SMWC Woods Giving Day socks, sponsored by Bright Ideas in Broad Ripple. Any marked Woods Giving Day gifts received by February 4 will qualify for the special socks while supplies last. “These socks continue to be popular. It is a great way to thank donors for their generosity and commitment to The Woods,” said Saunders. “A limited quantity is available, so get your gifts in early to secure your socks! We hope to see hundreds of you wearing them on February 4.” Donors can learn more about how to participate in Woods Giving Day by emailing advancement@smwc.edu.