Grambling State News

Bring It Home Campaign Generates Millions Toward Student and University Advancement 

GRAMBLING, La – December 3, 2019 – Grambling State University has completed one of the largest fundraising campaigns in the institution’s history with $6,655,435 raised over the course of three years. Generous portions of the sum were donated by alumni and major donors such as the University’s new dining partner, SodexoMAGIC.

“The success of the campaign is a representation of the outpouring of support from the community,” said David Aubrey, chairman of the Grambling University Foundation. “Donors have made it clear that they believe in the University leadership and larger vision for Grambling State University and are dedicated to ensuring the best outcomes for our students.”  

Funds will support institutional programming and student scholarships. The campaign targeted Grambling State community and alumni with an annual goal of raising $1 million. The yearly breakdown of campaign results includes: 

• $1.2 million in 2017, 
• $1.4 million in 2018, and 
• $4 million in 2019 including a $2 million investment from SodexoMAGIC and 1.2 million in scholarship grants. 

Funding the Future of North Louisiana Higher Education  
 
With a $1 million per year goal, the Bring It Home campaign was a bold declaration of the institution’s direction from the outset. With the 2019 groundbreaking of Louisiana’s first Digital Library & Learning Commons, a distinction for a Center of Academic Excellence in Mathematical Achievement for Science and Technology and the possibility of Louisiana’s first bachelor’s degree in cloud computing on the horizon, funding is more urgent now than at any point in Grambling State’s history.  

“The pace of our growth in recent years is unprecedented, and our supporters are dedicated to making sure it continues,” said Grambling State President, Rick Gallot. “As our community continues to experience the University’s advancement, we will continue to see tangible evidence of their support for our students.” 

During the campaign’s second year, the University also gained approval to launch the state’s first 4-year cybersecurity degree program, which accepted its first cohort in Fall 2019. Funds from the Bring It Home campaign will help secure needed resources to augment the program. 

Grambling State Grads Give Back 

The University generated an unprecedented 150% increase in alumni participation and totaled over 5,700 gifts over the course of the campaign. University Vice President of Advancement Marc Newman credits the hard work of University staff for the effort to drive donor engagement. 

“Since Bring It Home began, we’ve garnered support from across the campus and across the nation,” said Newman. “The campaign was truly a University-wide initiative with stakeholders and affinity groups from across the spectrum participating.  We are excited about the number of first-time donors and gaining support from those who haven’t taken advantage of giving opportunities in years. The future of philanthropy at Grambling is very bright.” 

Newman spearheaded the Bring It Home campaign, leading the University Office of Advancement’s strategic donor engagement initiatives throughout the three-year charge.  

“Because the of the University’s family-like culture, our alumni are lifelong partners of the institution.” Newman added, “It’s no surprise that they were substantial contributors year after year.” 

Powered by Partners 

Along with alumni, sponsors and partners of the University made significant contributions to the institutions growing list of programs. Telecommunications giant AT&T and technology trailblazer IBM are among the list of investors in student success in computer science fields. In September, SodexoMAGIC gave the largest unrestricted donation of the campaign, $2 million, to be allocated to the University’s new STEM Grambling initiative, student gap scholarships, campus infrastructure upgrades and more.  

Student Financial Support 
 
From its start in 2017, the Bring It Home campaign has provided more than $1 million in direct support for students in need to include the establishment of 60 new scholarships and endowments.  Funding has impacted the balances of hundreds of students through a variety of scholarships including GAP, which is designed solely to support students in reaching the academic finish line. 

Research, Grants & Internships 
 
To date, Grambling State’s Bring it Home campaign has helped bring more than $1.2 million in grants. Those contributions help fund research, scholarships and cutting-edge programs. 

“The support we have gained through Bring It Home goes deeper than donations,” said Martin Lemelle, Grambling State’s Executive Vice President. “Powerful conversations around investment lead to a variety of possibilities for our students including research grants, unique internships and new networking opportunities with industry leaders.” 

GramTalks, a product of the Bring It Home campaign, are a budding addition to the University’s calendar in which Grambling State students have a forum-style conversation with top executives of the world’s leading organizations. The first of the series featured AT&T’s President of Public Sector and Wholesale Solutions, Xavier Williams. 

Closing Out the Campaign 

The three-year campaign ended with a cocktail and “kicks” ball in New Orleans where attendees dined and donated while mingling with celebrity supporters. Earvin “Magic” Johnson, CEO of SodexoMAGIC, opened the night by encouraging attendees to continue their trajectory of giving. Beacon Award were presented to honorary alumni including rapper E-40 and Dallas Chief of Police Renee Hall before performances by international recording artist Musiq Soulchild and Louisiana music legend, DJ Jubilee. A live online auction allowed non-attendees to participate in the final night of giving leading up to the announcement of the $6,655,435 three-year total. 

“It’s outstanding what we can accomplish with a clear vision and dedicated support,” said Newman. 

Ongoing University Support 

The Office of Advancement and the Grambling University Foundation are always accepting planned gifts, donations, and endowments. The next big push for support comes on December 3, Giving Tuesday, a worldwide charity support holiday. Donors are encouraged to visit https://secure.qgiv.com/for/bihc/?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email to support the University on Giving Tuesday.