Southern University claimed more wins than one during the 2024 Homecoming game in acceptance of the annual Give Day Check. Awarded by the Southern University System Foundation (SUSF), the contribution totaled to a jaw-dropping $22,954,000 following Give Day 2024 on August 30. Raised primarily from over 6,000 individual donors such as alumni, staff, and associates, the foundation’s website reported reaching their campaign goal on September 1. These donations are used for overall student support and scholarships, recycling funds throughout the community.
In support of all five SUS campuses, The Southern University System Foundation is an integral part of why our system is so beneficial to everyone. The organization is a donor-centric organization that supports numerous aspects of the Southern University System as well as various programs and opportunities throughout the five campuses. The foundation offers student financial support through over a hundred donor-driven scholarships every fiscal year. Students are heavily encouraged to submit applications following their openings on November 1.
Mr. Robert Harrison, Director of Development for the SU Foundation, oversees numerous programs such as the 1880 Annual Society Fund and the Million Dollar March Campaign. With a tight-knit staff of only around 12 individuals, such campaigns highlight the foundation’s heavy reliance on volunteer contribution in order to maintain fundraising quotas and continue creating opportunities for everyone on campus.
Beyond the latest contrbution, the SU Foundation is consistently working behind the scenes and towards the betterment of students, people, and all the campuses they cater to. Christopher S. Freeman, Vice President of Advancement Operations for the Southern University Foundation expressed his excitement around the foundation’s contribution. “We are always giving back, like we disperse twice a month back to the foundation, to our partners, throughout the- all the different campuses […] we have updates, we have events going on all the time.”
As the 2024 year comes to a close, the foundation’s work is never done. They encourage all members of the system to contribute whenever and whatever amount possible in order to continue their valiant service of the SUS community. Through donations, fundraising, and volunteer involvement, the Southern University Foundation can continue with its goals and advance the Jaguars of the future.
