BALTIMORE — In a stirring display of unity, generosity and Bear Pride, Morgan State University’s first-ever All Paws In Day of Giving campaign exceeded its ambitious goals, raising more than $293,000 from more than 880 gifts. From April 23–24, during the University's I Love Morgan Week celebration, alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and friends of Morgan came together to strengthen the University’s legacy through collective giving — fueling scholarships, supporting vital campus resources and investing in the future of Morgan students.
The campaign set a goal of raising $250,000 and attracting 300 donors. Thanks to the overwhelming participation and enthusiasm across Bear Nation and beyond, Morgan surpassed its fundraising goal by $43,000, demonstrating a powerful culture of philanthropy and community engagement that will serve as a foundation for future giving initiatives.
“The success of our inaugural Day of Giving is a defining moment for the Morgan community,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University. “This wasn’t just about meeting a financial goal. It was about showing what’s possible when our extended Morgan family stands together. Every gift, large or small, helped build a stronger future for our students and reaffirmed that Morgan’s momentum is unstoppable.”
Adopting the maxim that with All Paws In, there is strength in unity and power in giving, the University set out to initiate something that had not been done before in Morgan’s development history: the fostering of a shared commitment to the University’s continued success through collective action and philanthropic support via a singular giving day initiative. The campaign’s focus was to unite the Morgan Community; to encourage participation more than dollar amount; to support excellence in education with contributions directly supporting scholarships, research, campus enhancements and student success programs; and to promote a culture of giving.
University giving day campaigns have become a cornerstone of annual fundraising strategies in higher education, yielding significant results. Giving day campaigns can effectively mobilize alumni, students, faculty and supporters to contribute meaningfully to their institutions. According to the educational consulting firm EAB, the average percentage of alumni donors who make their first gift on a giving day is 19.8% for public institutions.
Led by the Division of Institutional Advancement’s Office of Development in conjunction with Morgan State University Foundation, the All Paws In campaign encouraged supporters to contribute to areas that resonated personally with them — including scholarships, research, student support services, athletics, and arts and culture. Notably, based on identifiable donor data, more than 60% of the gifts came from alumni, underscoring the deep and lasting bond between Morgan and its graduates. The largest gift came from the transportation services company Enterprise Mobility, which contributed $50,000. There was also a $25,000 gift from President Wilson himself.
“All Paws In started as a bold vision: to galvanize our alumni, friends and supporters to visibly and meaningfully support Morgan’s mission,” said Endia DeCordova, Morgan vice president for Institutional Advancement and executive director of the Morgan State University Foundation. “Launching during I Love Morgan Week was intentional: we wanted to turn affection into action. Thanks to our amazing community and leadership, we didn’t just meet expectations; we surpassed them all while creating a new culture of giving at Morgan.”
The giving day’s impact was widespread, with donors supporting a range of critical university initiatives. Campus resources and community services, including the Career Development Center, Counseling Center, University library and Food Resource Center, attracted 30% of the donations received. Academic units and research, alumni affinity groups, arts and culture programs and athletics rounded out the remaining causes supported. Some donors gave four or five times to impact different areas.
“This campaign proved that the Morgan family is ready to show up and invest in the future,” said Tara Turner, assistant vice president for Development. “Every single contribution added up to something greater — a tangible reminder that giving isn’t just about dollars raised; it’s about community built and lives changed. We’re just getting started.”
As the total continues to grow, with additional gifts arriving even after the campaign’s conclusion, Morgan State University celebrates not just a successful fundraising effort but the beginning of a tradition where Bear Pride meets lasting impact.
To learn more and/or continue to give, please visit: www.givetomorgan.org/allpawsin.
