A financial challenge from a friend of Evangel University has resulted in more than $350,000 being raised in a 48-hour period on Monday and Tuesday, December 2 and 3.
The funds will be used for scholarships for both new and returning students at Evangel.
“A generous friend of EU committed to donating up to $200,000 in two-to-one matching funds, during what we called a 48-Hour Blitz,” said Jim Williams, vice president for institutional advancement. “For every dollar we could raise, he offered to match it with two.”
The University surpassed their $100,000 goal. According to Williams, more than $150,000 has been received thus far from alumni, faculty, staff and friends.
“A final tally is still a couple of days away. We will be counting checks that were postmarked on Dec. 2 and 3,” he added.
The social connection
Information about the matching opportunity was shared with the Evangel family in the week before Thanksgiving, through a combination of email, social media, post cards and word of mouth.
The message of the University’s year-end fund-raising video was even adapted for the Blitz.
“This was our first campaign to rely primarily on social media, and the response was exceptional,” said Chuck Cox, director of alumni relations for the past 28 years.
“Online giving set new records. Our phones were ringing from 7 a.m. to midnight both days, and a steady flow of local supporters hand-delivered their checks to our office,” Cox said.
The CBC connection
This was also the first major fundraising effort since Central Bible College was consolidated with Evangel University last summer.
Doug Jenkins transitioned from CBC to Evangel, and he is now serving as director of CBC alumni and church relations.
“Doug assembled a team of CBC grads that met both days and made calls to their alumni and friends,” said Williams. “We are thrilled that approximately $50,000 was raised by the work of this team of volunteers.”