Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University celebrated an unprecedented success with its fourth annual Giving Day, raising a total of $192,545 from more than 3,400 donors across the nation. The funds, which will benefit various academic and other programs, athletics, and academic initiatives, far surpassed the initial goal of 500 donors and last year's results.
Held Sept. 18 on SFA’s 101st birthday, this year’s Giving Day saw a staggering 1,200% increase in donors, leaping from just 259 participants in 2023 to over 3,400 in 2024. Online contributions alone surged by 117%, with $152,000 in online gifts compared to $70,000 last year.
“Our university community has demonstrated remarkable generosity and unity,” said Dr. Neal Weaver, SFA’s president. “This overwhelming support from Lumberjacks, near and far, will directly benefit our students, faculty and programs, enabling us to continue building a brighter future for SFA.”
To encourage broad participation, SFA introduced several innovative strategies, including a lower minimum donation amount of $5, exclusive T-shirts for donations $30 or greater, and personalized videos from each academic dean and the athletics director, Michael McBroom.
The excitement built across campus and the broader community in the weeks leading up to Giving Day with engaging social media posts, signage throughout high-traffic areas, and a targeted email campaign reaching over 80,000 recipients.
“Giving Day isn’t just about the money — it’s about engaging our alumni, friends and campus community in new and innovative ways, and further developing a culture of giving among them,” said Dr. Trey Turner, SFA’s associate vice president for university advancement. “This year, we set out to unite our Lumberjack family in a shared goal, and the response has been phenomenal.”
Looking ahead, SFA is committed to maintaining this momentum as it continues to foster a culture of philanthropy that supports future generations of Lumberjacks.
To learn more about how donors help create a thriving SFA community, visit sfasu.edu/giving.