At 11:40 p.m. on February 24, 2024, Giving Day history was made as last year’s total of $1,349,106 was surpassed. During the 24 hour Make It Count for Meredith Giving Day the College raised $1,427,462 and exceeded its $1.1 million fundraising goal by more than $300,000. A total of 2,747 donors contributed to the campaign. Initially, a total of $1,419,575 was raised, but additional cash gifts were counted from the day that were not given on the Giving Day website.

The $1.1 million goal was met at 7:15 p.m. Alumnae, parents and families, faculty and staff, friends, and students continued to give until midnight with additional matching gift challenges encouraging them to surpass the goal. Claire Sullivan Slaughter, ’72, current Board of Trustee, asked the Meredith community to help the College hit $1.3 million to celebrate President Allen’s 13 years at Meredith. That goal was met by 11:20 p.m. 

“It is my great honor to be president of my alma mater and make everything count for Meredith,” President Allen said during the Facebook Live announcement that the $1.1 million goal was met. “Thank you for being my partner in all this, thank you for letting me be your partner because we all dearly love this College. So let’s keep it going until midnight.” 

Various matching gift challenges throughout the day from alumnae, the Board of Trustees, friends of the College, Meredith parents and families, the Alumnae Association Board of Directors, the Young Alumnae Board, and a community partner helped motivate donors to give. A daylong competition between the Odd and Even classes showed the competitive spirit of Meredith. The Evens won that competition over the Odds by 104 donors. The Class of 2001 had the most donors for the Odds. The Class of 1982 had the most donors for the Evens. The Class of 1985 raised the most money. 

At 15 Giving Day parties throughout the country, coordinated by the alumnae relations staff, alumnae celebrated reaching the goal and were pleased donors to Meredith showed students that they support their education. By the end of the day, donors represented six countries, 42 states, and Washington, D.C. 

Gift agents, ambassadors, Meredith Fund Advisory Board members, Alumnae Board members, and Young Alumnae Board members also supported the day. A total of 194 volunteers contributed to the success of Giving Day and engaging their classmates and fellow alumnae.

Gifts could be designated to any fund. The College’s greatest needs, the Class of 1978 fund for student transportation vans, scholarships & financial aid, the Class of 1974 athletics fund, and the Avenging Angels Club were the top five funds given to in the 24-hour period.

As in past years, donors were asked to make a gift in honor of a strong woman or group of strong women in their lives Many donors honored Jo Allen as Meredith’s first alumna president with their gift as she prepares to retire at the end of the 2023-24 academic year. 

Social media was filled with donors who shared Giving Day signs showing who they honored with their gifts. Throughout the day, videos from President Allen, the Meredith Fund staff, the Alumnae Relations staff, Vice President for College Programs Jean Jackson, ’75, and phonathon students updated the audience on giving totals, announced challenges, and encouraged donors to give. 

“The goal of Giving Day is to support our students,” said Jean Gambrill, director of the Meredith Fund. “Once again, alumnae and friends of the College showed what Meredith means to them, and their gifts support so many funds, but ultimately every gift supports our students. I am thankful to each person who made a gift.”