For the ninth year in a row, Linfield University exceeded its giving day goal during 2024’s One Wild Day, held May 8-9. More than 600 donors – including alumni, students, parents and employees – donated a total of $738,109 over the 28-hour event.
The amount far exceeded the goal of $600,000, and topped last year’s $680,000.
“It’s just tremendous,” said Joseph Hunter, vice president for university advancement. “We had students who donated $5 to the art department, and anonymous donors whose contributions were in the five figures. But every gift was driven by a love for Linfield — of the community we offer, the opportunities we provide students, our superb academic offerings, athletic excellence and more.”
The drive included a variety of challenges, such as a $300,000 match from the Linfield University Board of Trustees; various challenges and matches for the TopCat Club and individual athletic programs; and a donation unlocked thanks to the number of employees that gave.
“With more than 75 funds to choose from, donors could give to whatever is closest to their hearts,” said Ellen Braziel, director of annual giving. “Whether it was the Linfield Fund, which supports scholarships for some of our most deserving students, the Portland Food Pantry or one of our 24 academic departments, every gift makes a tangible difference for Linfield students.”
In addition to the Linfield community’s generosity, Hunter praised the work of giving day team. This included Braziel and Erin Edelen Kutter, associate director of annual giving, the advancement team and dozens of students.
“One Wild Day is really a group effort,” he said. “In the first few hours of the event, the giving day team were almost a victim of their own success — demand was so high that it crashed the site. But they worked through it with professionalism and determination. I couldn’t be more proud of them and grateful to our supporters — it’s a great day to be a Wildcat.”
