The Saint Mary’s Fund (SMF) achieved an important milestone on May 31, 2022, when — for the first time in the school’s history — annual donations crossed the $1 million mark. In fiscal year 2022, a total of $1,012,275 was raised for the SMF.
Gifts to the SMF are unrestricted, meaning benefactors allow the university to decide how best to use the funds. About one-third of these gifts are directed automatically toward scholarship support, while the rest is used for other enhancements (like purchasing classroom equipment and facility improvements). Because of the fund’s flexibility to address areas of greatest need, all Saint Mary’s students benefit in some way from the SMF.
“More than anything, this says a lot about how our supporters feel about Saint Mary’s, its future, our students, and the mission of the university. They see something good here, and tell us through their philanthropy,” said Tracy Heaser, director of Annual Giving Programs. “Even when we share news that isn’t always positive, I hear them ask, ‘How can I help?’ I think that’s incredible and says amazing things about the culture of the Saint Mary’s community.”
SMF is an annual fund, which means that as of June 1, 2022, we start anew. Looking toward the current fiscal year, Gary Klein, vice president for advancement, said, ”Fundraising is more than an advancement team effort, it’s a university effort. We continue to build good relationships, and the more we work together, the more I think that will help take us where we need to go and ultimately better serve our students.”
