LaSalle's one-day fund-raising blitz exceeds expectations

University fund-raising campaigns often last years and start with a quiet phase. La Salle University's effort was to last a mere 24 hours and began with a rush.

By 2 p.m. Thursday, 14 hours into its first-ever fund-raising blitz, the university had reached its goal and then some.

"Donations are coming in so fast, it's tough to keep up," the university tweeted. "Last count, we've raised $38,818 from 373 donors!"

The university's one-day drive, called "Lasallian Day of Giving: Spring La Salle Forward," had a goal of getting 320 people to contribute. The total was fixed because of the date 3/20, which also happens to be La Salle's 151st birthday and the first day of spring.

But things were going so well that the university revised its goal to 640 donors.

It met that goal by 8 p.m. with more than 640 donors and a take exceeding $66,000.

"The response has been overwhelming," said Helene Baczkowski, director of the La Salle Fund. "This will be probably the biggest single day that potentially we've ever had."

About 30 students worked the phone, reaching out to alumni and others in the La Salle community for donations.

"The event was done this way to get alums and students and others excited about La Salle's anniversary," said university spokesman Jon Caroulis. "This way, alums, students, and friends could honor the university's past with a contribution to ensure a great future."

The university typically raises more than $10 million a year.

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