2022 Donor Impact Report

2022 Donor Impact Report

A message of gratitude from the President



As I reflect back on my first year as president of Seattle University, I am grateful to be a part of this remarkable community.

Our mission is to educate leaders committed to human dignity and the common good, and — through their achievements — to create a more just and humane world. Every day, we inspire the next generation by offering a curriculum that is innovative, challenging, and engaging in the best Ignatian tradition by supporting faculty research that is as rigorous as it is relevant. We prepare purposeful, ethical leaders who are driven to use their education in the service of others. This is our charge.

This fall, more than 7,000 students arrived on campus to begin a new academic year at Seattle University. Thanks to you, Seattle University is empowered to lead as one of the most innovative and forward-thinking Jesuit and Catholic universities. Our alumni and donors are making a transformative difference for Seattle University students and the future of the university by providing greater access to education for every academically successful student.

Last year, we reignited our Strategic Directions, recommitting ourselves to our Jesuit foundation, promoting inclusive excellence, creating the conditions for innovation and growth, and much more. The impact of your gifts is reflected in the progress we are making toward these ambitious goals to make Seattle University a stronger, more vibrant academic community and demonstrated in the stories below.

Please enjoy reading this Donor Impact Report for the 2021-22 fiscal year. I hope you see your giving and its impact reflected, and that you feel proud and inspired by what we are achieving together in preparing our students to become the kinds of leaders the world so urgently needs.

Warm regards,

Eduardo Peñalver
President





FY2022 Highlights

 
UNIQUE DONORS

5,594 Individuals
232 Organizations

Raised
UNIQUE GIFTS

The Impact You are Making

The following stories are examples of the ways in which donors like you are making a difference for our students and the future of Seattle University. Your gifts during the 2022 fiscal year are helping Seattle University build upon the promise and possibilities created through The Campaign for the Uncommon Good. Our path forward is articulated in Reigniting our Strategic Directions, which lays out the important work Seattle University must do over the next five years to foster growth aligned with our mission and bring focus to expanding our commitment to students, faculty, staff and alumni. We hope you see the impact of your giving, and that of our entire SU community, reflected in these stories.

Image for Lifelong Work with Native Americans Inspires IPI’s Largest Gift

Lifelong Work with Native Americans Inspires IPI’s Largest Gift

Growing up in Northern Michigan, Susanna Hayes had no idea that her life’s path would lead to the heart of the Native American experience. After graduating from Loyola University Chicago in 1964, she planned to continue on to graduate school, envisioning a future career in academia. But a life-changing gap year spent volunteering at St. Mary’s Mission on the Colville Reservation near Omak, Wash., would alter her journey, launching Hayes on a career path that would end 49 years later where it began, on the Colville Reservation, and inspire her generous gift to Seattle University’s Indigenous Peoples Institute. 

Image for Iram Jafry, ’17, Leads Creation of Named Scholarship Endowment Honoring Beloved Professor Emeriti

Iram Jafry, ’17, Leads Creation of Named Scholarship Endowment Honoring Beloved Professor Emeriti

Seattle University faculty are known for connecting with and inspiring their students to be their best selves. Iram Jafry, ’17 MBA, was deeply moved by the kindness of her accounting professor, Bruce Koch, PhD, and determined to honor his legacy. She connected with Development Officer Wendy Kelley, who guided her in raising awareness among Jafry’s fellow alumni and faculty members. All were happy to support a scholarship endowment honoring this beloved professor. With their help, Jafry succeeded in raising the $50,000 minimum requirement for scholarship distribution to the delighted surprise of Dr. Koch. The first Koch’s Rising Star Endowed Scholarship was awarded this fall.

Image that complements Coughlin Porter Lundeen Endowed Scholarship Provides BIPOC Students Access to Civil Engineering

Coughlin Porter Lundeen Endowed Scholarship Provides BIPOC Students Access to Civil Engineering

Seattle structural, civic and seismic engineering firm Coughlin Porter Lundeen has a longstanding relationship with Seattle University. Several SU alumni serve on the firm’s leadership team. Recently, the firm decided to engage with the university in a new way when it became clear that few students from Seattle’s BIPOC community (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) were coming through their recruiting programs. To raise awareness of civil engineering as a career path and provide access to an SU education, our alumni drove an effort to establish the Coughlin Porter Lundeen Endowed Scholarship in Civil Engineering.

Image for Transforming Family Law

Transforming Family Law

When stay-at-home orders during the early days of the pandemic exacerbated the rates of domestic violence across the world, Professor Deirdre Bowen, her family law students and alumni sprang into action by launching a “pop-up” clinic dedicated to assisting survivors of domestic violence file legal protection order petitions here in King County. This vital service to the community would eventually lead to a generous $5 million gift from the Moccasin Lake Foundation and launch a new multidisciplinary Family Law Center to train more law students to become domestic violence advocates and family law practitioners and to help underserved survivors across Washington State. 

Image for Anonymous Bequest Turns Force Multiplier

Anonymous Bequest Turns Force Multiplier

Stephen Growdon,’03, wanted to give back to the Seattle University graduate program that spring-boarded him to a fulfilling second career. A successful businessman with an MBA from Dartmouth, Growdon graduated from SU’s master in teaching (MIT) program with an endorsement in secondary education and became a high school social studies teacher. Recalling the student teaching experience as a financially difficult time when students work unpaid in a local school for one quarter while struggling to pay full tuition, he established the Growdon Family Endowed Scholarship in Secondary Education to assist students in the MIT program and doubled his investment with a match from an anonymous bequest.

Image that complements Ridgway Scholars Advocate for Equitable Healthcare

Ridgway Scholars Advocate for Equitable Healthcare

The late Dean Emerita Eileen Ridgway, PhD, RN, from the College of Nursing, was a leader and advocate for equity in health care. For the past 25 years, SU’s Ridgway Scholars have been caring for the health of underserved populations through hands-on, community-based research. Learn how three 2022 scholarship recipients are continuing Dr. Ridgway’s legacy of advocacy and justice in health care delivery. 

Your Giving

Your giving in fiscal year 2022 had a direct impact on Seattle University's preparation of our students to become the kind of leaders our world urgently needs through an innovative, challenging and engaging curriculum, rigorous faculty research and the promotion of inclusive excellence that enhances students’ experience inside and outside of the classroom.


Endowments

$276M
MARKET VALUE

Donors who establish an endowment create a lasting legacy at Seattle University. The 528 individual donor-created endowments enable Seattle U to fund programs and initiatives, technology, research, professorships, department chairs and more.

11 new endowments created in FY22

Total distributions in support of university priorities: $11,678,289

Endowment support by purpose
Academic Support: 34.9%
Chairs and Professorships: 18.5%
University Support: 11%
Scholarships: 35.6%


The Seattle University Fund

1,385
DONORS

During times of crisis, the SU Fund provides the flexibility needed to direct resources where they’re needed most. SU Fund donors are vital to maintaining Seattle U’s standard of excellence and supporting the immediate and ever-changing needs of our students, faculty and staff.

$847,555.25 raised in FY22

41% supported scholarships at SU


President's Club

$16M
CONTRIBUTED

The Seattle University President’s Club recognizes donors making leadership-level contributions in support of the unique opportunities that shape SU students into the purposeful leaders of tomorrow. Last year, 1,546 President’s Club Members contributed $16,632,644 in support of numerous campus priority initiatives and funds.

203 first-time President’s Club households in FY22 contributed $1.9M


Seattle U Gives

$900,000+
RAISED IN 24 HOURS

Seattle U Gives 2022 was an historic event thanks to generous donors like you!

Nearly $400,000 was available as Challenges throughout the day that inspired Seattle University’s alumni, donors and friends to give to areas across campus closest to their hearts.



First Time Donors

1,857
UNIQUE FIRST TIME DONORS

$2,125,318 contributed by first-time donors in FY22


Scholarship Support

5,393
SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

These undergraduate and graduate students received funds from 495 donor-supported scholarships

1,385 donors contributed more than $7M to 143 distinct scholarship funds


Alumni Commitment

2,780
ALUMNI DONORS

Unique Gifts: 4,982
Contributed: $5.5M

Volunteer hours contributed: 474

Take the Next Steps

Please consider these opportunities to expand your engagement with Seattle University.

The President’s Club recognizes donors giving $1,000+, $5,000+ (Leadership Circle) or $500+ (for Graduates of the Last Decade) over the course of a calendar year with invitations to members-only events, the distinction of the distinction of the Loyola family crest and more. Join with a gift today or contact Annual Giving.

The Seattle University Fund (SU Fund) helps make possible whichever aspect of the university you love most. This versatile fund maintains Seattle U’s standards of excellence, supporting scholarships, student services and academic innovation. Visit seattleu.edu/giving or contact Annual Giving to learn more about the impact of giving and to make a gift today.

Seattle U Gives is Seattle University’s online day of giving and a celebration of our community's generosity and impact. For 24 hours, alumni, students, parents, friends, staff and faculty all come together to invest in what matters most to them at SU.

Sign up now to be a volunteer SU-pporter! SU-pporters show their SU pride online and share their special SU connection to inspire others to participate in Seattle U Gives and support the causes closest to their heart.

Join hundreds of other donors in creating a lasting legacy to support student, academic or operational priorities. Seattle University can help you align the purpose of your endowment with your philanthropic interests. Endowments at Seattle U can be established with a gift of cash or securities, a bequest or other acceptable donation and may be fulfilled over a five-year period. Learn more about establishing an endowment at Seattle U by contacting Donor Relations.

Many loyal alumni and friends choose to make a gift through a will or beneficiary designation. Having a gift plan in place that fits with your overall financial goals can be a generous and tax-savvy way to provide for yourself and your family, while leaving a legacy with lasting impact at Seattle U. Learn more by contacting Gift Planning.

Looking for ways to stay connected with SU? The Seattle University Alumni Association (SUAA) is for all alumni, working to foster lifetime relationships by providing opportunities for professional growth, learning, engaging and serving the community alongside past, present and future Redhawks. Learn more about how you can stay connected by visiting this page.

Thank you for all the ways in which you support Seattle University