The MBU community rallied together for a record-breaking Day of Giving, featuring impactful challenges and the first-ever 50-state donation day.
Mary Baldwin University’s 2025 Day of Giving was an overwhelming success, demonstrating the deep generosity and commitment of our alumni, students, parents, friends, faculty, and staff. Thanks to this outpouring of support, the university far surpassed its goal of $500,000, raising $624,451 to support the university’s mission and students.
A Day Full of Momentum
The 2025 Day of Giving kicked off with incredible energy, fueled by the Chair’s Challenge, a new initiative for this year that helped to set the tone. This challenge, made possible by a $50,000 matching gift from Board Chair Eloise Clyde Chandler ’77, propelled our Day of Giving to its best ever start, raising an impressive $200,000+ before the day even officially started.
The Chair’s Challenge wasn’t the only opportunity to ensure that every gift had a chance to multiply its impact:
- Athletics Challenge: With volleyball leading the charge, 130 donors contributed to MBU athletics, unlocking a $50,000 challenge gift toward scholarships.
- 50 State Challenge: For the first time in MBU’s history, the university received at least one donation from every single U.S. state(and added a few international contributions as well), unlocking another $50,000 for MBU.
- Class Challenges: The competition was fierce, but when everything was counted the Class of 2004 led the way with the most individual donors, while the Class of 1977 raised the highest total amount.
- Chapters Challenge: The Atlanta Regional Network took home the win for highest percentage of participating alumni, while the Richmond Regional Network earned recognition for having the most donors (54).
Making an Impact
Beyond the excitement of challenges and milestones, the true power of Day of Giving lies in its lasting impact on Mary Baldwin students and programs. Contributions will impact every aspect of Mary Baldwin, from providing increased scholarship support,and helping fund renovations for Carpenter Academic Hall to enhancing academic offerings and improving the student life experience.
President Jeffrey P. Stein expressed his gratitude in a special thank-you video, recognizing the collective power of MBU’s community in shaping the university’s future. Watch his message here:
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Alumni Engagement
The energy from this year’s Day of Giving is sure to carry forward into upcoming initiatives designed to deepen alumni connections and bolster university support:
- Summer Sessions with the Steins: A virtual engagement series designed to update alumni on MBU’s progress, strategic initiatives, and ways to stay involved.
- Homecoming 2025 (October 17–19): A special weekend to welcome alumni back to campus, featuring events for all class years, reunion celebrations, and opportunities to reconnect with faculty and friends.
Thank you to everyone who participated in making the 2025 Day of Giving an extraordinary success. Your generosity and support makes a lasting difference in the lives of our students and the future of Mary Baldwin University!