Day of Giving established a single-day fundraising record and hit this year’s participation goal.

Explorers everywhere came together on March 23 to make La Salle University’s eighth-annual Day of Giving one for the record book.

La Salle’s 2021 Day of Giving inspired more than 1,800 unique donors to contribute gifts of more than $1 million—and counting. This is a single-day fundraising record at La Salle University, which also exceeded this year’s Day of Giving participation goal. All told, Day of Giving at La Salle has raised more than $3.2 million over the past eight years.

Gifts to La Salle on Day of Giving will provide an immediate impact to students, campus life, and the overall La Salle experience, said Daniel P. Joyce, M.A. ’01, Vice President of University Advancement.

“The generosity demonstrated by our community on La Salle’s Day of Giving is both remarkable and humbling,” Joyce said. “Explorers everywhere have shown their willingness to support current and future Explorers. Their philanthropy provides a much-needed lift for our students—in particular, our first-generation students—as we navigate the pandemic and continue making the pathway to a Lasallian education as accessible as possible.”

La Salle has a proud history of educating first-generation students. Nearly 35 percent of La Salle alumni over the last decade identify as the first in their families to receive a college degree, surpassing the national average.

Earlier in March, La Salle recognized the 158th anniversary of receipt of its charter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In acknowledgement of its 158-year history, the University established—and achieved—a goal of reaching 1,580 unique donors in 24 hours of Day of Giving.

Joyce expressed gratitude for the members of the La Salle community who made pledges and challenges in excess of $200,000 to drive additional acts of philanthropy from alumni and friends of La Salle.

University Trustee Anthony J. Nocella, ’66, made a six-figure gift to Day of Giving—$50,000 upon the unlocking of a challenge by former Trustee Edward J. Fierko, ’63, and another $50,000 to encourage gifts from the current Board of Trustees and President’s Advisory Council. Another Trustee, Robert W. Liptak, ’86, contributed a $50,000 gift, as well.

Larry Berran, ’93, delivered his second challenge gift of $50,000 in the last two years to support La Salle athletics programs, including rowing and men’s and women’s basketball.

And this year’s graduating Class of 2021 made the greatest number of gifts, helping unlock the Alumni Association’s Challenge and secure an additional $15,000 toward Day of Giving’s grand total.

“Our University, and Lasallian institutions around the world, were founded on Saint John Baptist De La Salle’s belief that an education should be available to and attainable by all,” Joyce said. “Gifts from alumni, families, and friends of La Salle on Day of Giving made very clear our firm commitment today to that 300-year-old mission from the Brothers of the Christian Schools.”

—Christopher A. Vito