Giving Supports Meredith Students

Meredith’s Division of Institutional Advancement reports on the vital role gifts from alumnae, employees, and friends of the College play in supporting students. Through both financial contributions and volunteer service, during the last fiscal year these groups demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing every aspect of campus life. 

Donor gifts supported scholarships, hands-on learning opportunities, facility enhancements, and more—helping to enrich the Meredith student experience. The College extends its deep gratitude to all who contributed to these efforts.

For the fiscal year 2024-25, the total raised in major gifts ($25,000 or more), annual gifts, and planned gifts was $15,464,743. This amount surpassed the fundraising goal of $10 million.  

“Over the past year, the outpouring of support from our alumnae and friends has been remarkable,” said Lennie Barton, vice president for institutional advancement. “Each gift moves the College forward and helps students have the best Meredith experience possible. We appreciate each donor and that they believe enough in the mission of the College to give what they can to continue our culture of philanthropy.”

In this historic fundraising year, 97 major gifts, 19 new endowments, and 19 new planned gifts were established. An endowment generates earnings each year to be spent in a way chosen by the donor, and the principal of the endowment remains untouched. In this way, endowments continue to support Meredith College in perpetuity, strengthening the College’s future. The 19 new planned gifts have a value of $6,233,837, and the total pipeline for future promised planned gifts is $72,647,191.

The Meredith Fund, our annual giving program, raised $2,848,871 in 2024-25.

• The funds raised were the result of gifts from 4,759 donors. Of these, 889 were new or re-engaged donors, and 2,762 were Onyx Society donors, meaning they have given for three consecutive years. 

• Gifts supported Meredith’s Greatest Needs, scholarships, athletics, study abroad, student programming, and more.
• $922,751 was raised for Meredith’s Greatest Needs, a fund that provides budget relief and enables the College to allocate funds to pressing needs. The flexibility of these funds is critical. 2,353 donors made a gift to this area. 
• Our 10th annual Make It Count for Meredith Giving Day on February 25 exceeded its $1.2M goal, raising $1,634,211 from 2,706 donors in 24 hours.
• The Parents and Families Project raised $28,890 from 72 donors to fund security enhancements, including technology upgrades and new emergency blue light stations, which have been installed.
• The Class of 2025 raised $4,442 from 37 donors for their Senior Class Gift. Their gift is a daisy garden in the Dickson Foundation Community Garden, to be used in future campus traditions.
• The Class of 1975 50th Reunion Project raised $251,038, surpassing the goal of $250,000 for their Chaplain’s Fund Endowment, which provides emergency assistance to students.
• Faculty and Staff giving participation was 66%. This is important as it shows the importance faculty and staff feel in giving back to where they work. Many foundations consider the level of employee giving when receiving grant applications.  

“We are truly grateful for the annual gifts from alumnae, faculty, staff, parents, students, and friends during the 2024-25 fiscal year,” said Jean Gambrill, director of the Meredith Fund. “Our donors’ passionate support advances Meredith’s mission and creates exceptional opportunities for students. We celebrate the loyalty of longtime supporters as well as the generosity of those who made their first gift to the College.”

Visit meredith.edu/support for more information on giving to Meredith.