A banner year for University support
This year, innovative, faith-building initiatives generated significant multi-year donor commitments and gifts. Funding for the integration of Christian faith in all University academic areas, partnering with congregations to engage youth and young adults in worship renewal, and teaching integration of Christian faith with work through film and online courses all inspired generous support and contributed to making fiscal year 2019 the best in Seattle Pacific’s fundraising history.
In addition, donors made gifts and pledges totaling $2.4 million for the School of Health Sciences building renovation.
Thanks to the generosity of SPU’s supporters, fiscal year 2019 gifts, multi-year pledges and commitments, and bequests total more than $25 million.
Inaugural SPU Day of Giving held
On April 11, 2019, Seattle Pacific held its first Day of Giving. A total of 386 donors gave $100,209, the largest number of donors in a 24-hour period in University history. Alumni, parents of current and former students, faculty and staff, and friends of the University came together to show their generosity to SPU students and the University through gifts to the Seattle Pacific Fund. Their gifts immediately helped Seattle Pacific fulfill its mission by supporting students through programs ranging from career services to scholarships to opportunities to discover, or go deeper in, Christian faith.
President’s Award for Philanthropy
Norman ’55 and Nancy Snelling Edwards ’64 received the President’s Award for Philanthropy. The pair embody the University’s mission to graduate Christian leaders whose confident faith informs their love of others. They have lived lives of ministry and service, and have faithfully invested in their alma mater. Norm formerly served as SPU’s alumni director and vice president for development. Over his career, Norm worked with Nancy on behalf of more than 30 Christian universities and ministries, including the Billy Graham Association and Mission Aviation Fellowship. He served nine years as a University trustee as well as a Seattle Pacific Foundation board member, where he holds emeritus status. Norm was honored as alumnus of the year in 1974. Norm and Nancy established the Edwards Family Scholarship Endowment, benefiting many students.