A Day of Giving with Lasting Benefits

Each year Seattle University dedicates a day to giving, 24 hours for the campus community and friends of the university near and far to donate in support of important programs—across colleges and schools, centers and clubs—and initiatives that enhance the student experience and expand opportunities for transformative growth.

The appropriately named, "Seattle U Gives," is happening on March 2.

For the Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability (CEJS), Seattle U Gives is the center’s most important fundraising event of the year, says Professor and CEJS Director Phillip Thompson, PhD.

“Through the generosity of our supporters, we are able to provide student research fellowships and paid internships that contribute to our students’ professional growth in areas that align with their career goals,” says Thompson. “It also allows us to engage our students in environmental justice and sustainability work in the Seattle area and in many places around the world.”

Organized by the Office of Annual Giving and now in its seventh year, Seattle U Gives raised more than $900,000 last year for life-changing scholarships, a range of student support services, athletics, specific college programs, health and wellness and more. The theme of this year’s event is “Redhawks Take Flight” with a goal for the amount raised to soar even higher. 

Gifts, which can be directed to specific areas of funding (see ways to give), no matter the size, can support the university’s general fund, scholarships, the Redhawk Club, the Seattle University Youth Initiative, Campus Ministry, Athletics and much more. Last year’s big push was for mental health and wellness, including supporting the Office of Multicultural Affairs’ general and emergency funds. Seattle U Gives donations provided much-needed funding for SU’s food pantry and assisted students with non-tuition-related expenses like emergency medical care.

“Seattle U Gives is a fantastic opportunity to capture our community’s generosity, show our Redhawk pride and demonstrate the power of teamwork to transform lives,” says Athletics Director Shaney Fink. “It directly impacts the experiences and opportunities of our more than 350 student athletes.”

At the College of Science and Engineering, support can be directed to the Dean’s Fund and Student Academic Activities, which “empowers our students to co-create innovative learning experiences for STEM education,” says Dean Amit Shukla, PhD. 

“Seattle U Gives helps enhance the ongoing vitality of campus life and the student experience by engaging alumni, friends, staff, parents, students and faculty for a day of giving to support projects that contribute to student success,” he says. “The support is essential to our theme of re-forming the community where we enhance our culture of belonging for all and ensure inclusive excellence.”

Another way to support the cause is by become a social ambassador—known as “SU-pporters”—to volunteer to showcase your SU pride and engage with the community online to inspire gifts. SU-pporters are critical to the success of Seattle U Gives because they help personally highlight each of the ways Seattle University is so unique and special. 

Why should the campus community support Seattle U Gives? It’s all about the students.

“To me, Seattle U Gives is about supporting our students and the vast array of their curricular and co-curricular activities. I think we are all here to support SU’s mission and to help provide the best possible experience for our students who have chosen to further their education with us,” says Thompson. “Taking part in Seattle U Gives provides us with a multitude of ways in which we can further support their educational opportunities.”

More Ways to Get Involved

You can join the virtual party happening online, or come to campus and visit the Seattle U Gives headquarters, in the Sinegal Center West Patio. In honor of this year’s theme, there will be a student paper airplane competition in the afternoon. Whoever throws their airplane the farthest gets to direct $500 dollars to the fund of their choice. There will also be regular fundraising updates on the Seattle U Gives website to follow along live, wherever you are in the world. 

Learn more about ways to give and sign up as a SU-pporter today.