SEMO Foundation raises a record $9.9 million in FY24

Southeast Missouri State University announced Wednesday, Aug. 14, that it received a record $9.9 million in gifts during fiscal year 2024.

Southeast Missourian file

The Southeast Missouri University Foundation raised a record $9.9 million in gifts during fiscal year 2024.

According to a news release, Wendell Snodgrass, SEMO’s vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the University Foundation, said the university "saw a 12% increase in the number of donors.”

Gifts given to the SEMO Foundation can be directed to a specific area the donor is most interested in. Most often, donations are given to student scholarships and professional development opportunities.

SEMO’s Transforming Lives capital campaign has had gifts focused across its four pillars: academics, athletics, facilities and technology. The campaign, announced during homecoming in October, has a goal of raising $60 million to “fuel SEMO’s vision of a modern campus with the infrastructure, technology, curriculum and spirit to prepare confident graduates for tomorrow’s careers today.” Additionally, SEMO raised a record $359,000 on its annual Giving Day every March around the university’s birthday.

“We are so appreciative of the many alumni and friends who have given support, financial or otherwise, to benefit SEMO students,” SEMO president Carlos Vargas said. “Their passion and dedication for helping students has helped us achieve 75% of our campaign goal. They also contributed to the largest SEMO Giving Day in our history this year.

“Every gift has the power to open doors for deserving students, innovate curriculum, provide professional opportunities, and enrich the entire campus community. The generosity of giving to SEMO can shape our future leaders, transforming their lives so they can transform the world.”

According to Snodgrass, giving is a personal experience and the University Foundation “works with individual donors to help them support the cause that matters most to them while exploring all the options available of how to give.”

For more information, contact the University Foundation at (573) 651-2332 or visit www.semofoundation.org.