NEW ORLEANS — Dillard University’s supporters provided $1,372,147.36 in donations within 24 hours during GivingTuesday on November 30, surpassing the University’s 2021 goal of $1 million.
“There is no adequate way to express our gratitude to everyone who supported our GivingTuesday campaign,” said Dr. Marc Barnes, vice president of institutional advancement. “It is great to make the goal, but it means so much more to have these resources to assist our students in earning their degree from Dillard. Each donor has made an impact in the lives of our students and we are incredibly grateful.”
Dr. Walter Kimbrough, president of Dillard, added, “Every year since we started a GivingTuesday campaign, I have been pleasantly surprised, not that we met our goal, but exceeded it, sometimes significantly. So, in a ‘what the heck’ spirit, I always give the team a higher goal; and each and every year the goal is exceeded.”
Kimbrough admits that hearing himself vocalize a $1 million goal, even with a huge matching opportunity, made him a little nervous at first. Still, Kimbrough says that he was confident the University would make the goal. But Kimbrough also admits that he did not expect to see more than $1.3 million raised. “I am sure the team is glad I am leaving because I would set the goal at $1.5M for next year,” he said jokingly.
The match to which Kimbrough alluded was one of $545,000. The funds collected on GivingTuesday are shared among Dillard’s SAFE (Student Aid for Financial Emergencies) Fund and areas for which donors designated their gifts.
