Saint Louis University Celebrates Record Year for Fundraising with $119.4 Million in Donations
ST. LOUIS (August 12, 2019) — Saint Louis University has set another record for fundraising. Last year, SLU set a record when it collected $98.7 million in donations, pledges and bequests. Today, the University is announcing that it has set a new record of $119.4 million in fiscal year 2019. This total includes 18 gifts of $1 million or more, also a record.
“Our record fundraising is impressive and demonstrates our stakeholders' belief in our vision and our execution toward achieving it,” said University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D. “But the numbers fail to tell the full story of the dramatic impact the generosity of our donors has on Saint Louis University's students, faculty, staff and patients.”
Pestello continued: “Our donors have made a rigorous Jesuit education – one that is values-based and rooted in the liberal arts – more affordable and attainable by supporting student scholarships. Their investment in our academic programs and research projects is propelling Saint Louis University to national prominence in select areas of excellence.”
Perhaps the greatest example of that during the past year was the transformational $50 million gift from Dr. Jeanne and SLU alumnus and trustee Rex Sinquefield – the largest gift in SLU history. Among other things, the gift advances SLU research through the newly founded Saint Louis University Research Institute.
To date, the Sinquefield-funded SLU Research Institute has awarded 28 grants totaling more than $2.5 million to faculty in a wide array of disciplines across the institution, including anthropology, biology, chemistry, education, engineering, health sciences, history, humanities, law, medicine, public health and theology.
With the ongoing support of our generous donors, the leadership of Dr. Pestello and the Board of Trustees, and the hard work of our dedicated development staff, we are well on our way to exceeding our aspirations.”
Sheila Manion, vice president for development
Fundraising Campaign Making Strong Progress
SLU is in the midst of a $500 million comprehensive fundraising campaign called Accelerating Excellence: The Campaign for Saint Louis University. To date, the University has raised more than $340 million, with more than 17,200 alumni making gifts to SLU since the campaign’s launch. Campaign priorities include academics, student scholarships, health sciences education, business education and athletics.
“This is the most ambitious fundraising effort SLU has ever undertaken,” said Sheila Manion, vice president for development. “In this phase of our Accelerating Excellence campaign, we are broadening our outreach to all alumni, parents, friends and partners to invest in SLU’s urgent needs and opportunities. We are seeking gifts, pledges and estate commitments at all levels.”
Manion added: “With the ongoing support of our generous donors, the leadership of Dr. Pestello and the Board of Trustees, and the hard work of our dedicated development staff, we are well on our way to exceeding our aspirations.”
For more information about Accelerating Excellence: The Campaign for Saint Louis University, visit slu.edu/campaignforslu.
About Saint Louis University
Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic institutions. Rooted in Jesuit values and its pioneering history as the first university west of the Mississippi River, SLU offers nearly 13,000 students a rigorous, transformative education of the whole person. At the core of the University’s diverse community of scholars is SLU’s service-focused mission, which challenges and prepares students to make the world a better, more just place. For more information, visit slu.edu.