One by one, alum by alum, family by family, Trinity University supporters will unite for the 1869 Challenge on September 27-28.
This annual philanthropic tradition is a day of giving, focused solely on supporting Trinity students. For 1,869 minutes, our entire community—including alumni of all ages, families, faculty, staff, and friends of Trinity, work together to strengthen the resources that students rely on during their exciting Trinity journeys.
During the Challenge, beginning Wednesday, September 27 at 1:00 p.m. Central Time and running through Thursday, September 28 at 8:09 p.m., our giving day goal is to reach 3,000 donors within these 1,869 minutes to unlock $300,000.
As a donor, you decide where you want to make an impact: We know that your unique passions—whether for student orgs, academic departments, Greek life, athletics, and more—drive you just as they drive current students. When you give through the 1869 Challenge, you’re having a direct effect on the Tigers who are having the time of their lives through these invaluable opportunities here at Trinity.
Your support allows the University to create an experience that pairs the small-school environment we all love with the resources of a much larger school. This bolsters student success and outcomes and helps Trinity make moves on a national stage, which all strengthen the value of a Trinity degree.
United, as One Trinity of alumni, parents, families, students, faculty and staff, we make it possible for students to keep finding their strengths, emerging as leaders, and blazing trails towards post-graduate success in all its forms.
Let’s show our support for our Tigers!
Academic Departments
Our faculty are the heart of the Trinity experience. To encourage our entire community of support to give to academic departments, President Vanessa Beasley is pledging a $5,000 challenge. The department that secures the most number of donors will also receive $2,500, the second will receive $1,500, and the department garnering the third most donors will receive $1,000 with the funds deposited into their department account.
Raymond Judd Student Emergency Fund
If $10,000 is raised for the Raymond Judd Student Emergency Fund, $10,000 will be unlocked for Trinity University students. The Raymond Judd Student Emergency Fund, named in honor of Chaplain Emeritus Rev. Raymond Judd ’56, helps students who are challenged to afford and access necessary resources for remote learning, housing, transportation, and basic needs, or those who face other difficulties. 100% of these funds are available to support our students through graduation or during the next step in their journey. Funding decisions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by Chapel, Student Life, and Counseling Services staff.
Necessity Fund
If 50 donors support the Necessity Fund, Board of Trustee Ruth Agather will give $5,000 to Trinity University. Trinity established the Necessity Fund in 2018 to provide first-year students with toiletries, linens, and essential items for day-to-day dorm living. Eligible students can opt in, and the items will be waiting for them when they arrive at their residence hall on move-in day.
Student Tech Fund
If 50 donors support the Student Technology Fund, Board of Trustee Ruth Agather will give $5,000 to Trinity University. The Student Technology Fund provides eligible students with technology needs: laptop, headphones, and WIFI hotspot, for example, which are critical for current college students to be successful in their day-to-day studies.
Skyline Scholars (Formerly Summer Bridge Program)
If 50 donors support the Skyline Scholars, Board of Trustee Ruth Agather will give $5,000 to Trinity University students. Since 2010, Trinity’s Skyline Scholars Program has given first-generation and underrepresented students a chance to come to campus early and transition to college life. These students begin their First Year Experience class and receive free housing, books, and meals during the program. They’re also introduced to the writing and time-management skills that are so critical to academic success.
Parents
Which Parent Class has the most #TigerPride? This challenge pits classes 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027 against each other to see who has the most donors during the 1869 Challenge. The winning parent class will be announced on the TU Parents Facebook page and the TrinitE, plus the class will be highlighted during Fall Family Weekend.
An anonymous 2025 Trinity University Family will match your gift to a fund of your choice. This dollar-for-dollar match will provide up to $15,000 in support of Trinity students.
An anonymous alumna who is also a current parent, challenges other alumni parents to make a gift to a fund of their choice. When 50 alumni parents make a gift during the challenge they will unlock a gift of $3000 in support of Trinity students.
Trinity Choir
Professor Emeritus Rich Butler, John Carver ’74, Rex Smith ’74, Sally Westmoreland ’76, Gina Gaedke ’89, Griffin Gaedke ’20, M’21, Kelly Ranson ’77, Chip Fournier ’76, Kenneth Koen ’70, and Charles Youngson ’97, will donate $10,369 to Choral if we receive 75 donors to the Choral Fund.
John Donahue Award for Social Justice
In celebration of the Sociology & Anthropology Department's 80th anniversary this year, Whalin Harter-Leahy '03 and Clay Condon will give $15,000 to the John Donahue Award for Social Justice when 80 donors make a gift to this fund.
Visit the 1869 Challenge website today for more information on how to register to become a volunteer or to stay up-to-date with the 1869 Challenges.
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