Meredith College raised $1,664,966 in 24 hours during the College’s Make It Count for Meredith Giving Day, held on February 24, 2026. The fundraising event exceeded its $1.5 million fundraising goal by more than $150,000, with 2,421 donors contributing to the campaign.
The $1.5 million goal was met at 7 p.m., and alumnae and friends continued to give until midnight with additional matching gift challenges encouraging them to surpass the goal.
After the total goal was met, President Aimee Sapp spoke at the Giving Day party at the Mae Grimmer Alumnae House. This was one of the 11 Giving Day parties held in North Carolina and Washington, D.C.
“I want to thank you all so much for supporting all of our students with your gifts. It is such a fun event,” said Sapp. “I love seeing all the photos and videos, all the comments, and positive energy on social media supporting the great work we are doing at Meredith. It has really touched my heart, and I know it has all of you.”
Throughout the day, a total of 15 matching community-wide challenges were met, totalling $460,000. These challenges were from generous alumnae, the Board of Trustees, friends of the College, Meredith parents and families, the Alumnae Board of Directors, and the Young Alumnae Board.
Aramark, Meredith College’s dining partner, gave a $20,000 gift during the Birthday Celebration in Johnson Hall, where President Sapp shared a Giving Day update and the latest accomplishments from the College. The campus community enjoyed signing cards for donors, eating treats, and celebrating 135 years of Meredith College.
Gifts throughout the day could be designated to any fund, and the theme of making a gift in honor of a strong woman continued as in past years. The College’s Greatest Needs, a fund that impacts every student every day and allows Meredith to allocate resources where they are needed most, raised $454,672.
The Odds vs. Evens class competition that lasted all day had the Evens winning for the most donors. Two challenges during the 24 hours encouraged alumnae to give during that time.
On social media, videos from President Sapp, the Meredith Fund staff, the Alumnae Relations staff, and various alumnae updated the audience on giving totals and challenges and encouraged donors to give. Alumnae and friends tagged Meredith College and shared their photos showing who they honored with their gifts.
“I’m deeply grateful to every donor who participates in Giving Day,” said Jean Gambrill, director of the Meredith Fund. “The generosity of our alumnae and friends never ceases to inspire. Meredith truly is a special place, and each year our supporters show just how much they care about the College and our students’ success. No matter the designation, every gift makes a meaningful difference in the student experience.”
To see totals, gift designations, and class leaderboards from Giving Day 2026, go to meredith.edu/makeitcount4mc.
Melyssa Allen – News Director
316 Johnson Hall
(919) 760-8087 | Fax: (919) 760-8330 | allenme@meredith.edu