Nicholls State University recently marked a major milestone with its 2025 Give N Day, setting a new record for the annual fundraising event. Now in its eighth year, Give-N-Day generated over $270,000 in just 24 hours, making it the most successful one to date, as per this news release from the school. A total of 1,750 donors contributed through 2,309 separate gifts, pushing the total raised across all eight years to over $1.4 million.

Organized by the Nicholls Foundation, Give-N-Day serves as a campus-wide initiative to raise funds for university programs, departments, athletics, and student organizations. This year, 117 different groups benefited from at least one donation. In fact, many donors opted to support multiple organizations—16% gave to more than one cause. Contributions poured in not only from across the United States (40 states in total), but also from donors representing seven countries, emphasizing the broad support for Nicholls’ mission and community.

Jeremy Becker, Executive Director of the Nicholls Foundation, expressed enthusiasm about the outcome. He credited the remarkable results to the coordinated effort across campus. According to Becker, the success was a reflection of widespread involvement—from the participating groups who strategized and contacted supporters, to the university’s marketing team who helped spread the word far and wide.

On the Give N Day fundraising leaderboard, Colonel Athletic Association Soccer stood out as the highest earner, collecting an impressive $38,991. St. Thomas Aquinas Colonel Catholics followed with $15,950 in donations, whileColonel Athletic Association Track & Field/Cross Country brought in $15,520. Scholarships at Nicholls State Universityreceived $13,740, and the Accounting Program was close behind with $12,170. The Bridge to Independence program garnered $11,960 in support, while Colonel ESports raised $11,115. Colonel Athletic Association Beach Volleyball also had a strong showing with $10,226 raised.

In terms of the number of individual gifts, Colonel Soccer once again led the pack with a total of 300 donations. The Xi Theta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. secured 101 donors, making it the second-most supported organization by individual count. Colonel Athletic Association Indoor Volleyball followed with 98 donors, and Colonel Athletic Association Beach Volleyball wasn’t far behind with 89. Colonel ESports received 79 donations, Bridge to Independence had 73, Sigma Alpha Epsilon gathered support from 67 individuals, and the CROWN organization (Cultivating Respect, Opportunity, and Wellness through Networking) earned the support of 54 donors.

Launched in 2018, Give N Day was designed to open new fundraising opportunities for campus-based organizations that previously lacked the infrastructure to conduct their own campaigns. Since its inception, the event has allowed donors to designate funds directly to the group or program of their choosing, ensuring transparency and targeted support. Every dollar raised goes straight to the designated recipient with no administrative fees deducted, a feature that has helped boost donor confidence and participation year after year.

The Nicholls Foundation, which organizes the event, is an independent nonprofit entity classified as a 501(c)(3) organization. Its mission is to support Nicholls State University by securing financial gifts and grants, managing those resources responsibly, and enhancing the institution through scholarships, endowed faculty positions, and other academic advancements.

Given N Day reflects not only the generosity of Nicholls supporters but also the deep connection between the university and its extended community. From athletics to academics to student life, the funding generated will help ensure that these programs continue to grow, thrive, and meet student needs for years to come.

Events like Give-N-Day highlight a broader trend in higher education: participatory philanthropy. Rather than relying solely on large institutional donors, schools like Nicholls are creating avenues for grassroots support, empowering alumni, students, families, and faculty to give directly to the causes they care about most. This approach encourages a sense of ownership and community investment, both of which are vital for sustaining vibrant and responsive educational environments.

For more education-related information, click here.