Eastern Kentucky University shatters fundraising record for 2024 fiscal year

Eastern Kentucky University has beaten its lofty fundraising goals for its 2024 fiscal year. The university hoped to raise $10 million in the period from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024; its total amount raised was well beyond that goal at $10,005,663. The success is thanks in part to an extremely lucrative Giving Day on April 17, 2024 that netted $720,000 in those 24 hours alone.

According to an article on Eastern Kentucky University’s website, David McFaddin, who serves as the university’s president, spoke about the achievement, saying, “EKU has reached a historic milestone as we have achieved the highest fiscal year fundraising goal in our university’s history. This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and generosity of our alumni, donors and community. Fundraising efforts are vital to our university’s mission, enabling us to enhance academic excellence, award scholarships and provide our students with the resources to succeed. Together, we are building a brighter future for the entire Colonel family.”

The school’s previous record for fundraising in a fiscal year was in 2021, in which the school raised a total of $9,968,280. This year’s Giving Day also marked a record amount of funds raised. The school began the Giving Day tradition in 2019 and this was its most successful year yet. This large pool of funds has already made an impact on the school’s ability to provide financial help to its students via scholarships and other opportunities. The 2023-2024 school year saw 2,546 scholarship awards, which is more than was awarded the previous year. Additionally, Eastern Kentucky University was able to establish 24 funds this fiscal year in support of new scholarships and programming.

One student who has benefitted from the scholarships at Eastern Kentucky University is Cody Coots, a sociology major, who said, “I come from an impoverished family in an area that is just as economically behind. I have been unable to financially prepare for my college journey because of my lack of ability and opportunity. The Whitaker Foundation, Inc. Scholarship will allow me to continue my education while lifting some of the financial burden that has been a constant obstacle for me.”

Mary Beth Neiser, the vice president for university development and alumni engagement, was quoted as saying of the fundraising efforts, “We are immensely proud of the commitment from our giving community and the hard work shown by our faculty and staff in reaching this extraordinary fundraising success. Their unwavering support and efforts have been instrumental in achieving this historic goal. It is through their passion and collaboration that we continue to advance our mission and create lasting impacts for our students and the Commonwealth.”

For more information about Eastern Kentucky University, visit the school’s website.