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The JSU National Alumni Association (JSUNAA) has completed the first year of the Millions of Eyes on Excellence Fundraising Campaign by raising a total of $2.2 million. JSUNAA, Inc. is now on track to raise $500,000 by December 31, and the remaining funds by June 30, 2020. The two-year goal is $5 million.
“The momentum is gaining nationwide from the number of alumni who are contributing to the JSUNAA ‘Millions of Eyes on Excellence’ fundraising campaign and we are delighted,” says Gwen Caples, campaign co-chair and assistant vice president for Institutional Advancement and External Affairs. “JSU alumni are donating to scholarships, the GAP Fund, academic programs, Athletics, the Sonic Boom and more.”
Through collaborative efforts, JSUNAA and Institutional Advancement are asking all alumni to give $10.40 monthly or $125 or more by June 30, 2020. Funds raised from the campaign will support student scholarships benefitting priorities such as athletics, the excellence or gap fund, the Sonic Boom, etc. Each donor will have the option to specifically designate their gift to a JSU college or department, student fund, annual or endowed scholarship or academic program.
Tarita Benson-Davis, campaign chair and first vice president for JSUNAA, Inc. said, “Jackson State University alumni truly realized the importance of giving as demonstrated through the first year of the Millions of Eyes on Excellence campaign. We all know education is the key for future generations and that the importance of giving back to education can never be overstated. Therefore, it is increasingly important to continue giving, to reach this most important goal, so that the lives of individuals, especially students, can be enhanced through an educational experience that will be both gratifying and rewarding for generations to come.
“By giving consistently, we are all working toward increasing the alumni participation rate, (APR) which helps Jackson State secure additional financial support from corporations and foundations. On June 30, 2019, the last day of the previous fiscal year, our APR was 4.8% indicating the success of alumni that give back to JSU from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019,” says Caples. “Now, with the start of the new fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020, the APR is currently 1.13%. However, as we continue to work with the JSUNAA and the Division of Institutional Advancement to increase alumni contributions to the ‘Millions of Eyes on Excellence’ campaign, we are confident that we will increase the APR to 5% or even higher and also accomplish our goal of raising $5 million by June 30, 2020.”
Benson-Davis also explained that donating to Jackson State assists with giving to the next generation of students. “Remember, ‘An investment in knowledge pays the best interest!’ Make the investment today by continuing to give to the campaign.”
To make a donation to the Millions of Eyes on Excellence Fundraising Campaign, visit www.jsums.edu/giveonline. Checks should be made payable to the JSU Development Foundation, P.O. Box 17144, Jackson, MS 39217.
Please note “Millions of Eyes on Excellence” on the memo line.