WWU Give Day Raises Over $1 Million to Support Student Scholarships and Programs

April 30, 2024

The image is a photograph of Red Square on the Western Washington University campus, looking south. The photo was taken from a high angle. There are a few trees in the square, and there are also some benches and tables. There are people walking around, and there is a bike parked in one corner. The sky is blue, and there are some clouds in the distance. The image is taken on a sunny day, and the campus looks beautiful.

Bellingham, WA — The Foundation for WWU & Alumni at Western Washington University has announced that WWU Give Day its annual fundraising event held on April 25, raised more than $1 million from nearly 3,000 donors.

Kim O'Neill, vice president for University Advancement and President & CEO of The Foundation for WWU & Alumni, expressed gratitude to the generous supporters who made this achievement possible.

"I want to thank everyone who participated in Give Day 2024—it was a huge success, raising over one million dollars for Western students and programs and it’s all thanks to our generous alumni and donors," said O'Neill.

A significant focus of this year's fundraising efforts was the Western Welcome Scholarship fund. O'Neill highlighted the importance of these scholarships in attracting top-tier students to Western.

"In a time of escalating tuition costs and mounting student debt, recruitment scholarships play a critical role in making Western a welcoming place to promising students," she said.

The success of WWU Give Day was further bolstered by an anonymous matching gift of $250,000 dedicated to the Western Welcome Scholarship fund. O'Neill emphasized the impact of this generous donation, stating,

"This gift will make it possible for us to keep funding the scholarships necessary to continue attracting deserving top-tier students to our university," O'Neil said.

Reflecting on the broader significance of scholarship support, O'Neill underscored its role in addressing the financial concerns of students and families.

"Parents and students are looking for more certainty in their ability to cover the cost of education. And that’s where the Western Welcome Scholarship comes in — we can reduce the burden of attending Western for families," she said.

The Foundation for WWU & Alumni extends its heartfelt appreciation to all donors, alumni, and supporters who contributed to the success of WWU Give Day 2024. Their generosity will have a lasting impact on the lives of Western students and the entire WWU community.

For more information about Western Washington University's fundraising initiatives and scholarship programs, please visit https://foundation.wwu.edu/.