The Demons Unlimited Foundation, the fundraising organization supporting Northwestern State Athletics, has successfully completed its “99 Members in 99 Days” campaign by adding over 100 new members and nearly $200,000 in new revenue.
Director of athletics Greg Burke, associate AD for external affairs Adam Jonson and assistant AD for development and marketing Haley Blount made the announcement Wednesday.
The campaign launched as the 2015 summer Victory Tour began on July 20. DUF Board members were tasked with helping recruit new DUF members, and Blount said their efforts were significant in growing the DUF roll. There were nearly 30 new members who joined the DUF during the two-week-long Victory Tour.
The nearly $200,000 in new revenue will help offset additional expenses incurred by the fiscal year 2015-16 athletic budget, she said. A total of 101 new members have signed up since July 20.
“The best part about this campaign is that we’ve been able to successfully communicate the message that all donors at all levels are both needed and appreciated,” said Blount. “Most of the new donors we’ve gained during this campaign have signed up to contribute just $10-20 per month, but look at the end result and significantly positive impact on our athletics program. Imagine if many more NSU alumni and supporters would make that same commitment.”
The DUF has a 2015-16 goal to raise nearly $1 million in cash from annual gifts, sponsorships and special events to underwrite the cost of items critical of being competitive in NCAA Division I. The money supports awarding the full complement of scholarships in 14 sports, team travel, equipment, coaching salaries and performance incentives, recruiting, marketing and promotions, and other vital elements of the overall operating budget of NSU Athletics.
That target, said Blount, includes a goal of over $350,000 in contributions for its annual fund. Jonson said NSU Athletics has almost reached the $500,000 goal for corporate sponsorships in 2015-16.
Although “99 Members in 99 Days” has concluded, Blount emphasized that the push for new DUF memberships continues.
Additional focus on reconnecting with former student-athletes has been initiated this summer with the reorganization of the N-Club, the association of former and current athletic letterwinners at NSU.
Another recent launch with significant momentum is the Perpetually Purple Program which presents opportunities to establish endowments and planned giving benefiting NSU Athletics.
Supporters can visit the Demons Unlimited Foundation link on NSUDemons.com for additional information or contact Blount via email at blounth@nsula.edu or by telephone at 318-357-4278. All donations are tax deductible.
