Ball State University’s effort to raise funds to address the critical needs of its students during the COVID-19 pandemic is a major success as One Ball State Day surpassed its goals for number of gifts and total philanthropic support on April 7.
One Ball State Day — the 24-hour online annual fundraising event that inspires and unites Cardinals across the country — had a preliminary total of 6,100 gifts and raised more than $511,000. Gifts were made by alumni in all 50 states. The goals were 5,000 donations and $500,000.
Last year, the University had 4,100 gifts and received more than $425,000 for scholarships, academic programs, student organizations, and other Ball State causes.
“I want to thank all of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends who made One Ball State Day donations,” said Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns. “We demonstrated how Cardinals help Cardinals, and I am so very grateful for your investment in our students.”
Mearns and his wife, Jennifer, contributed an initial $2,500 pledge and then added another $2,000 when One Ball State Day surpassed 4,500 gifts.
President Mearns said he also was grateful for the extraordinary number of gifts directed at two areas of giving where contributions will support students with extraordinary financial need: the Jack Beyerl Student Emergency Aid and Take Flight Fund funds.
The Emergency Aid fund had 420 gifts totaling more than $80,000 while Take Flight had 124 gifts and over $65,000 in contributions.
Both funds received major support from several alumni, including Garfield creator and Ball State graduate Jim Davis, ’67 LittD ’91, and his wife, Jill, ’84, who provided $50,000 to the Student Emergency Aid and $50,000 to Take Flight.
Ball State colleges raising the most funds were the College of Fine Arts, the College of Communication, Information, and Media, and the College of Sciences and Humanities. The top departments were theatre and dance, journalism, and music. Student media was the top student program, winning $4,250 in the challenge part of the event.
Ball State graduates, friends, and supporters who still wish to donate may visit bsu.edu/give.