Saint Mary's rises to goal in Lilly Challenge
By LAUREN O'BRIEN
News Writer
Saint Mary's faculty and staff have made significant progress since June toward their goal for the Lilly Challenge that matches each dollar donated to the school.
Lilly Endowment, Inc., a private philanthropic foundation, allocated a potential $138 million in the "Initiative to Strengthen Philanthropy for Indiana Higher Education Institutions." Each institution has the possibility to receive up to $3.5 million in matching funds.
In order to raise $3.5 million by December 2003, there are three constituencies at Saint Mary's that are able to donate: alumnae, faculty and staff and students and parents.
The College's Lilly Faculty and Staff Campaign has set a goal of $250,000.
Fundraising activities for the campaign have included a Holiday Bake Sale in December, which raised $1,500; a Mardi Gras Potluck Luncheon in February, raising $1,025 and Wednesday's Hard Hat Tour of the new Noble Family Dining Hall, which raised an estimated $200.
In addition to participating in fundraisers, faculty and staff can also contribute to the campaign through payroll deduction or a direct gift. The donor may determine where their donation and the Lilly matching dollars are designated.
"It doesn't matter what you give," said Kay Ball, Saint Mary's Director of Development. "You just participate at whatever level you can."
Faculty and staff have met 60 percent of their $250,000 goal, with nearly $150,000 contributed so far. Ball said she fully expects them to meet or exceed their goal this year.
Student campaigns are also actively progressing toward their goal in the Lilly Initiative.
Traditionally, each Saint Mary's senior class has raised money for a Senior Leadership Fund. The fund is allocated to the area of senior choice.
Last year, the Class of 2002 donated funds to the construction of the future Student Center. A plaque will be mounted in the building as a tangible reminder of their generosity.
The Lilly Challenge presents a unique opportunity for students to begin donating to their Senior Leadership Fund earlier than usual, at a time when Lilly Endowment is willing to match their contribution.
"We hope that this will establish a pattern of giving after students graduate," said JudeAnne Wilson, Assistant Director of the Annual Fund. "Everyone across the board is rising to the occasion."
The Quarters Campaign is another component of the initiative that has generated strong student participation.
The campaign committee will collect quarters door-to-door in the residence halls during the second week of April. It is anticipated that this will bring each class closer to their 100 percent participation goal.
Alumnae are also expected to exceed their goal of $3 million. Many alumnae who already donate to the College have increased their donations to take advantage of the Lilly Initiative.
Although the current totals for the student and parent and alumnae campaigns are not yet available, the amount raised for the Lilly Initiative has reached $3,450,000 with nine months remaining in the campaign.
"This campaign has really inspired people, especially with the economy the way it is," Ball said.
All News Stories for Friday, March 28, 2003
