Evangel exceeds 48-hour fundraising goal

Last edited 12:33 p.m., Dec. 6, 2013

What started as a financial challenge from a friend of the school turned into more than $350,000 raised in 48 hours for Evangel University.

Amassed Dec. 2-3, the 48-hour blitz had a $100,000 goal and has hit $150,000 in donations from alumni, faculty, staff and friends so far. With $200,000 in two-to-one matching gifts from a donor who wished to remained anonymous, the campaign netted the school $350,000 with checks still rolling in, according to a news release.

“This was our first campaign to rely primarily on social media and the response was exceptional,” said Chuck Cox, Evangel director of alumni relations, in the release, which noted a combination of social media, email, post cards and word of mouth. “Online giving set new records. Our phones were ringing from 7 a.m. to midnight both days, and a steady flow of local supporters hand-delivered their checks to our office."

The two-day event also garnered $50,000 from alumni of Central Bible College, which was officially consolidated into Evangel in April.

CBC Director of Alumni and Church Relations Doug Jenkins worked with a team of about eight volunteers to raise the funds, according to the release.