Grand View University Hits Fundraising Record

September 23, 2024

Grand View University raised a total of $7.19 million in private financial support during the 2024 fiscal year that ended June 30.

This includes four generous grant awards from Lilly Endowment Inc., totaling $4.25 million, for campus ministry programs and initiatives. Those grants include $1.25 million for the Faith Forward Program, $1.25 million to establish the Iowa Preacher Project, $1.25 million to launch the  Jordan Project and an additional $500,000 sustainability grant for the Moses Project.

Dr. Trisha Wheelock, Grand View’s Gerhard O. Forde assistant professor of theology, shares her excitement, “Campus Ministry is thrilled to receive these grants. We are thankful to Lilly Endowment Inc. for its support in helping Grand View become an innovative leader in ministry opportunities.”

In addition to the grants, Grand View received an endowment gift of more than $700,000 from the estate of Alice Humphrey ’47. Humphrey, who passed away in 2021, was best known for her 1997 leadership gift that restored Old Main into what is now the Humphrey Center. The funds will be used for ongoing maintenance and care of the building.

“Endowment gifts and bequests allow donors’ contributions to further the University’s mission over long periods of time,” says LB Lyons ’08, Vice President of Advancement. “These resources provide sustainable funding for future generations of Vikings.”

Thanks to 842 donors, Grand View also posted its largest-ever Viktory Day of Giving, raising $185,500 in 24 hours to support students, faculty and staff on campus.

Additionally, 2,200 individual gifts, totaling $382,671, were received during the academic year.

“Setting multiple records in a single year speaks to the excitement people have about our grand future and we are so grateful to our generous donors,” says Lyons, “This gift support allows Grand View to continue our mission of engaging, equipping and empowering learners to explore their vocations and fulfill their potential to serve the world.”

Donations are critical to funding student scholarships and support servcies, the University’s endowment, facility improvements and much more. Scholarships are a key component of student success, retention and making college possible for students who are first-generation, from diverse backgrounds and have the most financial need. Thanks to these donations, the average financial aid package for GV students during the 2023-24 academic year included more than $27,237 in scholarships and grants, which is 80 percent of Grand View’s tuition.

“I would like to commend LB and her team for these impressive results. LB’s leadership as Grand View’s new Vice President for Advancement has helped to make Grand View accessible and affordable for students,” says President Rachelle Keck. “I cannot thank our donors enough for their generosity and support. Thanks to you, we are making college possible for all students and helping them achieve their dreams.”