A new flash fundraising campaign kicks off this month to commemorate the founding of New Mexico State University in 1888 by raising donations to support the future of the university.
Founders Day: 1888 Minutes of Giving will be held from 10 a.m. April 23 to 5:28 p.m. April 24, a continuous 1,888 minutes of fundraising to support 24 different programs at NMSU. In recent years, the NMSU Foundation only conducted a giving day on Giving Tuesday, competing with various other nonprofits for donor dollars.
“This campaign pays tribute to the visionaries who founded NMSU over a century ago, reflecting their commitment to higher education and foresight in shaping generations of scholars, innovators and leaders,” said Jason Arvizu, assistant vice president of alumni relations and annual giving at the NMSU Foundation.
Special university giving days have become increasingly popular, with many colleges hosting giving day campaigns in both the fall and spring. NMSU’s Founders Day in April presents an ideal opportunity for a springtime campaign, aligning perfectly with the spirit of celebration and generosity that characterizes this occasion.
The Foundation’s goal is to raise $188,888 total and add 188 new donors. Donors may choose to support scholarships, academic programs, research endeavors or campus enhancements in select programs including athletics, student services, the library, the Honors College, Arrowhead Center, NMSU Alamogordo, Doña Ana Community College and NMSU Grants. They can also support participating programs in each of the colleges at NMSU: Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences; Arts and Sciences; Business; Engineering; and Health, Education and Social Transformation.
“We will monitor donor retention rates, as they provide a measure of the loyalty and sustained dedication of our supporters over time,” Arvizu added. “Acquiring new donors and reconnecting with past donors are crucial steps in expanding and revitalizing our donor community.”
All gifts are tax deductible. Donors can also contribute to funds not listed at http://1888minutesofgiving.org. Select “Other” from the list of designated funds and manually enter the fund name.