four students posed with hawk hands in front of a sculpture framing the Space Needle

2024 Donor Impact Report

How Your Support is Shaping Seattle University's Future

President Peñalver

A Message of Gratitude from President Peñalver

I am pleased to share with you this Donor Impact Report for the 2024 fiscal year.

Your gifts, and those of thousands of other alumni and friends, helped 7,000+ students gain access to a Seattle University education and provide a challenging and engaging curriculum rooted in 500 years of Ignatian tradition.

Your support sustains our mission to educate leaders for a just and humane world and prepares our students to grapple with the challenges they will face when they leave our campus. Our students’ academic experience will equip them to lead society towards greater justice and humanity.

Whether you made a gift to the SU Fund, established an endowment, included Seattle University in your estate plan, or supported a scholarship or program through our record-breaking 2024 Seattle U Gives, I hope you see the impact of your giving reflected in this report.

On behalf of the entire Seattle University community, thank you for all you do to advance our mission and ensure our students succeed in their academic and career pursuits.

Warm regards,

Eduardo Peñalver

Eduardo Peñalver
President

FY2024 Highlights The Year At a Glance

5,798

Unique Donors

5,526 Individuals
272 Organizations

10,986

Unique Gifts

10,223 Individual Donors
763 Organizations

$327.5M

Total Raised

$27.5M Cash Contributions
$300M In-kind Contributions

The Impact You are Making

Your generous support is making a meaningful impact on our students and shaping the future of Seattle University. Together, the nearly 11,000 contributions made during the 2024 fiscal year are driving the university's growth, helping us fulfill our mission, and deepening our commitment to students, faculty, staff and alumni.

More Impact Stories

Your Giving

Your contributions empower Seattle University to equip our students with the leadership skills the world needs. Through an innovative, challenging curriculum, rigorous faculty research, and a commitment to inclusive excellence, your support enhances the student experience both inside and outside the classroom.

a student and professor working together on a tablet with a whiteboard behind them

Core Academic Mission

Under the leadership of Provost Shane Martin, Seattle University's core academic mission propels the excellence of our colleges, schools, centers, institutes and programs. Donor gifts deliver critical resources to all areas of campus, directly supporting the university's strategic directions and empowering our students to realize their full potential through an inclusive and holistic educational experience grounded in Jesuit values. 

$10M+

$10,353,716

Total Raised

Student Involvement Fair at the Quad

Seattle University Fund

The Seattle University Fund offers the flexibility to allocate resources where they are needed most. Donors to this fund play a crucial role in upholding SU's standard of excellence while addressing the immediate and evolving needs of our students, faculty and staff.

  • $976,629 raised in FY24
  • 30% of funds supported scholarships
1,559

SU Fund Donors

12% increase from last year

students walking under umbrellas on a rainy day

Scholarships

Scholarships enhance accessibility for first-generation and diverse students while also reducing graduates' debt. Generous financial aid packages, including donor-supported scholarships, help Seattle University attract talented students dedicated to making a difference in their professions and communities.

  • 1,224 number of donors
  • 159 funds supported with gifts 
$7.5M

Raised for Scholarships

Two grads in regalia high-fiving on a bench in front of Lemieux Library

Alumni Giving

Alumni giving is crucial to Seattle University's success. By supporting their alma mater, alumni fund essential programs, scholarships, and initiatives, ensuring continued excellence and making a lasting impact on current and future students. Their generosity reflects a deep commitment to the university's values and community.

  • 2,695 Alumni Donors
  • 4,360 Alumni Gifts
$7M+

Total Given by Alumni in FY2024

two students posing with foam fingers at an SU Gives photobooth
Click to play the video
Watch this short SU Gives thank you video.

Seattle U Gives

Seattle U Gives is Seattle University's annual online day of giving, and this year, we set a new record for the most funds raised. The remarkable generosity of our Redhawk community supports our programs, enhances student opportunities, and advances excellence at Seattle University.

Seattle University’s alumni, donors and friends were inspired to make a total of 4,004 gifts in support of 90+ programs and causes.

  • 1,106 gifts from alumni
  • 2,674 gifts under $50
  • 1,192 gifts from first-time donors
megaphone icon

$1.36M Raised in 24 Hours

Record Amount Raised in 2024

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Recognition Societies

Seattle University's recognition societies honor the generosity of donors whose support strengthens our mission and shapes our future. Their contributions fund scholarships, enhance academic programs, and drive innovation, enabling us to provide a transformative education for future leaders. By joining these societies, donors play a vital role in ensuring Seattle University’s continued success.

  • 1,478 President’s Club members contributed $11M+
  • 381 Sustaining Supporters contributed $521K+
  • Legacy Society gift commitments totaled $5.7M

Take the Next Steps

Please consider these opportunities to expand your engagement with Seattle University.

groups of people mingling at an event on campusThe President’s Club

The President’s Club recognizes donors giving $1,000+, $5,000+ (Leadership Circle) or $500+ (for Graduates of the Last Decade) over the course of a calendar year with invitations to members-only events, the distinction of the Loyola family crest and more. Join with a gift today or contact presidentsclub@seattleu.edu.

a multitude of handwritten notes about what's possible when you giveSeattle University Fund

The Seattle University Fund (SU Fund) helps make possible whichever aspect of the university you love most. This versatile fund maintains Seattle U’s standards of excellence, supporting scholarships, student services and academic innovation. Visit seattleu.edu/giving or contact annualgiving@seattleu.edu to learn more about the impact of giving and to make a gift today.

a group of students and Rudy the mascot rallying with pom-pomsSeattle U Gives

Seattle U Gives is Seattle University’s online day of giving and a celebration of our community's generosity and impact. For 24 hours, alumni, students, parents, friends, staff and faculty all come together to invest in what matters most to them at SU. Learn more by visiting the SU Gives website.

aerial of campusEndowments

Join hundreds of other donors in creating a lasting legacy to support student, academic or operational priorities. Seattle University can help you align the purpose of your endowment with your philanthropic interests. Endowments at Seattle U can be established with a gift of cash or securities, a bequest or other acceptable donation and may be fulfilled over a five-year period. Learn more about establishing an endowment at Seattle U by contacting stewardship@seattleu.edu.

a family walks through the Quad on a summer dayGift Planning

Many loyal alumni and friends choose to make a gift through a will or beneficiary designation. Having a gift plan in place that fits with your overall financial goals can be a generous and tax-savvy way to provide for yourself and your family, while leaving a legacy with lasting impact at Seattle U. Learn more by visiting the Gift Planning website.

An alum mentoring students at a networking event on campusAlumni Engagement

Looking for ways to stay connected with SU? The Seattle University Alumni Association (SUAA) is for all alumni, working to foster lifetime relationships by providing opportunities for professional growth, learning, engaging and serving the community alongside past, present and future Redhawks. Learn more about how you can stay connected by visiting the SUAA website.

Thank you for all the ways in which you support Seattle University.

four students sitting on a bench overlooking the city skyline with hawk hands overhead

Contact Us

Greg Ross

Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship