JMU Nation,
Our fourth annual
Giving Day is upon us and we once again call upon each of you to step up and support this institution so near and dear to each of us.
We've shattered records every year since Giving Day's inception, including last year's tally of 1,145 total gifts and over $270,000 raised in support of our JMU Duke Club annual fund. This year, we're Raising the Bar again with goals to top those numbers again. The key to Giving Day is participation as every gift, no matter how small, truly makes a difference for our student-athletes.
Your gift to our "Proud and True" Fund is 100 percent tax deductible and supports our student-athlete scholarship bill and general department operation budget. It is critical that we continue to grow Proud and True giving as our scholarship bill nears $10 million annually while unrestricted giving has yet to eclipse $3 million. We can close that gap with your help and no better opportunity than Giving Day!
Your gift also helps us with our vision of fielding nationally-competitive programs. We've had two recent football national title appearances, a lacrosse national title, a men's soccer run to the NCAA quarterfinals and multiple other CAA Championships and regular-season titles. For three straight years, we've been recognized with the best overall winning percentage in Virginia, and we're in the hunt to make it four. Our Dukes compete at a high level, and your support makes those opportunities possible.
Follow the Duke Club and JMUSports on social media all day to be part of this unique opportunity to show our JMU spirit. Wear purple and encourage your friends and classmates to join in the effort. I also highly encourage everyone to support the many important giving funds throughout other parts of the university. This day is a team effort and all for the greater good of James Madison University.
Every gift truly makes a difference!
Go Dukes,
Jeff Bourne
JMU Director of Athletics