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“Each and every gift to Seattle University has a profound impact, no matter the size.”
You may have heard or read this recently from a member of Seattle University’s Advancement or Annual Giving team through an email, phone call or text message, asking you to consider making a donation, or gift, to the university.
At SU, we are guided by purpose and driven by a passion for creating a more just and humane world and for empowering today’s students to become tomorrow’s leaders. We don’t do this alone. Rather, we accomplish this through the purposeful generosity of individuals like you—alumni, parents, family members and friends of the university. Tuition alone does not cover the full cost of the SU experience. We rely on philanthropy to fund so many of the resources, opportunities and offerings that nurture and nourish our students’ experiences. Before deciding to contribute financially to SU, here are just a few of the ways that philanthropy impacts past, present and future Redhawks and how it helps make SU one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit universities in the world.
It’s a fact: Seattle University has a beautiful, award-winning campus. But there’s much more to it than that. Did you know Seattle University’s pesticide-free grounds are designated as a Wildlife Sanctuary by the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Department? Since receiving this designation—a first for an institution in Washington state—SU’s Grounds and Landscaping team has been a leader in sustainable landscape management practices. Philanthropy dollars have allowed SU to invest in alternatives to chemical pesticides and increase the number of edible plants we harvest and utilize across campus.
Donor funding has not only enabled SU to construct new buildings—it’s also allowed the university to equip our infrastructure with cutting-edge tools and resources. One example is the Jim and Janet Sinegal Center for Science and Innovation. Opened in 2021, the Sinegal Center is the hub for SU’s STEM education. It is also a LEED Gold-certified building, featuring high-efficiency energy systems and water fixtures, Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood products and building materials sourced from locally recycled goods. To date, it’s the fifth campus facility to be certified LEED Gold.
Today, more than 80 percent of current students receive financial aid to help fund their education. Contributions to the Annual Scholarship Fund provide the university with the resources needed to make a college education a reality for many deserving students. The ability to offer generous financial aid packages helps SU attract the kind of students we are known for—capable and committed to making a difference in their professions and their communities.
In addition to scholarships, philanthropy helps bolster holistic student services and experiences that are transformative. At SU, this is evident with our student clubs, Athletics, University Recreation (UREC), the Outreach Center, Campus Ministry, the Center for Student Involvement and the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA). It also supports SU’s outstanding academic programs, including modern technology and learning spaces, curricula development, tutoring services, student-faculty research projects, student-employee wages and so much more.
We’re at our best when we’re feeling well. Every year, donors help SU provide better, more financially accessible health services for our Redhawks. SU partnered with TimelyCare to offer students 24/7 access to medical and mental telehealth services with no out-of-pocket costs or health insurance requirements. Additional on-campus and telehealth programs include education and peer support, primary health care appointments, disability services and individual psychotherapy.
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If you’re interested in learning more about how you can make a gift to Seattle University, visit seattleu.edu/giving/how-to-give. Additionally, learn about alternative ways of giving back to SU, such as through volunteering and mentoring, by visiting seattleu.edu/alumni.
Tags: Philanthropy, giving