Carlson School Sets New Give to the Max Day Fundraising Record

A consistent theme in 2020 has been the generosity of Carlson School alumni and friends. That continued in a record-breaking way during the recent Give to the Max Day.

More than 300 people made gifts to the school totaling $450,125, both setting new highs for the school on Minnesota’s largest one-day giving campaign. Participation was up more than 50 percent from a year ago while the fundraising total eclipsed the previous mark by nearly $100,000. 

The day saw 42 first-time donors as well as 39 recent graduates from the past decade who gave to the school. Additionally, people giving at the Investor’s Circle level more than doubled from the previous year.

“We are so grateful that hundreds of alumni and friends from around the world came together on November 19 to support the Carlson School for Give to the Max Day,” says Travis Smith, assistant dean for institutional advancement. “The incredible results make it clear that the Carlson School community is one that transcends the classroom.” 

The Carlson School Alumni Board matched donations dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000 and gave an additional $5,000 for reaching the participation goal of 250 donors on the crowdfunding site.

“The Alumni Board was blown away by the incredible response we received to support the Carlson School on Give to the Max Day,” says Craig Schmidt ’03 BSB, chair of the Alumni Board. “We're both grateful and proud that so many fellow alumni and friends have come together to ensure that the school continues to provide a top-notch education for the next generation.”

Many of the funds raised during Give to the Max Day contribute to student scholarships and fellowships through the Dean’s Excellence Fund, the Carlson School’s unrestricted annual fund.