What does the tradition of philanthropy mean to you as a student?

By giving back to Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, you support yourself and future generations of students at SMUMN.  Giving back to Saint Mary's University improves not just your student experience but the campus as a whole from new buildings to scholarships to a mass-spectrometer (and so much more) without having to forward those additonal costs onto students through tuition. The University would be drastically different without the support of private donors, and this is your opportunity to join the legacy through student giving.

The Office of Advancement consists of Alumni Relations, Saint Mary’s Fund, and Development Operations. Our office is located in Heffron Hall Suite 60. We look forward to seeing you around campus and we truly hope that over the next few years at Saint Mary's we can help you make this a place to call home.

Make A Gift 

FAQs

If you have additional questions that are not answered below, please contact:

Ellen Heydon, Digital Engagement Officer

507.457.6675 | eheydon@smumn.edu 

Most students don't realize that tuition only covers about 75% of your education--private support helps bridge the total cost of attending SMU. Your Saint Mary's experience is supplemented every day by gifts from students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the Universtiy. By giving back to your favorite area of campus you are helping ensure the University can support exceptional programs, research, technology, building and innovation.

Student donors join a community of Cardinals who have invested in the University and made a lasting impact on future generations of SMU students. We ask students to support the University with a gift that is comfortable for them: $5, $10, $20, $25, $50, $100. We hope that every student leaves the university knowing their gifts, of any size, truly make an impact. Someday, we hope to reach 100% student body participation every year. Imagine that impact we could have for generations beyond!

One of the best things about giving to Saint Mary's University is that you can designate your gift to the fund of your choice. These funds include academic departments, athletic programs, student organizations, scholarships, and the Saint Mary's Fund. Student giving at SMU is about YOU. We want to make sure each student can give back to the area that they care most about.

YES!-- all gifts make a difference. Even gifts that may seem small combine with simlar gifts from hundreds of other students, alumni, parents and friends of the University create a huge impact. Many donors may have thought their gifts were small, but when combined with other gifts, they provided over $900,000 of support to the Saint Mary's Fund.

At the heart of philanthropy at Saint Mary's is the Saint Mary's Fund. This fund provideds flexible, accessible support that helps the university respond immediately to critical needs as well as bolster support for ongoing requirements like scholarships and program investments.

The Alumni Association is made of more that 50,000 alumni. As an alumni, you automatically become a memeber of the Saint Mary's Alumni Association. No matter where in the world you live, as a member of the Saint Mary's Alumni Association, you'll stay connected. With a full schedule of opportunities to get involved, tap into valuable rescources, and reconnect, there is no shortage of ways to show your pride for the red and white. At Saint Mary's, it's who knows you.

Through the student organization, Cardinals Connecting Cardinals (CCC) our offices provide opportunities to engage, educate and empower students to both advocate and celebrate alumni relations, philanthropy and student engagement. The CCC will build connections with Saint Mary's Alumni, run events with undergraduate students on campus, promote philanthropy and be a leader among fellow students.

When making a gift to Saint Mary's you can use cash, check or give online. Giving online is the easiest as you can make an immediate impact on the experience of students at SMU. To make a gift online, simply click the button above or go to: https://connect.smumn.edu/giving/student-engagement-donation-form. If you would rather write a check or donate cash, stop by the Office of Advancement in Heffron 60.

What does my tuition support?