CLEVELAND, Ohio - Over 1,900 individual donors supported Cleveland State University's 330+ student-athletes with nearly $290,000 in gifts to the Athletics Department on CSU's Seventh Annual "Giving Day" which took place on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.
"On behalf of the coaches, staff and student-athletes in our 18 sport programs, I would like to extend enormous gratitude to the friends, family, alumni and other Viking fans that helped support Cleveland State University on Giving Day," said Scott Garrett, CSU Director of Athletics. "To have grown support in Athletics by almost 30% over our 2019 Giving Day figures impacts tremendously our collective efforts in providing CSU student-athletes with a transformational experience through their participation in NCAA Division I athletics."
The 24-hour day of giving was driven through an emphasis on social-media promotion and an online crowdfunding platform. Cleveland State raised over $450,000 across multiple colleges, student activity programs and other special projects including student scholarships, facilities, technology and more. All gifts to Viking Athletics were designated to the new Viking Fund, or a specific sport, and will be invested in continued improvements in team apparel, travel, recruiting, facilities upkeep, student-athlete nutrition, leadership training and more.
"We would like to recognize the incredible efforts over the last few weeks by Rachel Peres, CSU Foundation Director of Annual Giving, and Brandon Longmeier, Assistant Athletics Director for the Viking Fund, in assisting our teams with organization of their Giving Day messaging and communications," added Garrett. "We look forward to the continued philanthropic support of CSU fans throughout the remainder of the year and beyond."
Those interested in future contributions to CSU Athletics may visit www.csuvikings.com/vikingfund or contact Brandon Longmeier at (216) 630-2974.
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