The 12th annual Tommie Give Day on Nov. 10 proved once again that when the St. Thomas network rallies, incredible things happen. This year, records were broken as 3,376 donors across the globe came together to raise $4.4 million. These totals surpassed previous records of 3,167 donors in 2024 and $4.3 million in 2025.
Tommie Give Day 2026 was an invitation to all alumni and friends to engage in Be Brilliant. Be Bold. The Campaign for St. Thomas. The largest fundraising and engagement campaign in university history, its goals are to expand access for students, support exceptional faculty and create experiences that prepare Tommies to meet the world’s evolving needs.
“What makes Tommie Give Day such an important part of Be Brilliant. Be Bold. The Campaign for St. Thomas is that everyone has a place in it,” said Erik Thurman, vice president for University Advancement. “We came together around a shared belief in the power of a St. Thomas education. I'm deeply grateful to everyone who participated for our students and advanced our mission. Each and every contributor to Tommie Give Day helps open the door to a transformative education and moves our campaign priorities forward.”
The Tommie Network is broad, strong and focused
A signature university tradition, Tommie Give Day unites alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends in support of scholarships, resources and opportunities. Donors from nearly every U.S. state and other countries, including Iceland, Sweden, Germany, Estonia, England, Australia, New Zealand, Peru and Canada made gifts on this important day of support.
Generosity from the Board of Trustees and friends fueled an impressive $1.45 million in matching gifts, inspiring others to join in and amplifying the impact of every donation. Colleges, schools, departments and friends also contributed to challenge funds to engage their communities, bringing the total to $1.8 million in matches and challenges throughout the day.
This year’s giving day showcased the strength of the Tommie Network. Alumni once again represented the largest donor group, contributing 30% of gifts, followed by parents and grandparents at 28%. Nearly every class from 1955 to 2025 recorded at least one gift, unlocking the Class Year Challenge and showing that Tommies give across generations.
Parent generosity broke records with 1,015 donors contributing more than $1.2 million. By the end of the day, our motivated community met four separate Tommie Parent Impact Challenges.
Intercollegiate Athletics was a leader in unit fundraising, securing 1,238 donors, a 42% increase over the previous year, and raising nearly $1.2 million in support of Division I Tommie student-athletes. Their “Donor Duel” challenges put teams head-to-head in friendly competition for the most donors. This challenge pitted Friends of Baseball against Friends of Men’s Hockey, Friends of Football against Friends of Men’s Basketball and more. Visit the results page to learn which groups clinched victories.
Students expand engagement and propel success
Student Engagement Center callers raised $16,125 from 73 donations. Meanwhile, 55 student clubs, a 45% increase over 2025, participated in Tommie Give Day. Clubs received gifts from 692 donors, raising more than $104,000 in support of their activities, a 16% increase over last year.
The Philia Club, a new club on campus that brings students together to create a community where everyone feels welcomed, valued and connected, was new to Tommie Give Day this year. Philia co-founder and president, Mary Kuriscak ’28, said the club sought gifts to fund club experiences and events and forward its mission.
“Tommie Give Day has reminded us how much can be accomplished when people come together around a shared purpose,” Kuriscak said. “You are not simply helping fund events or activities; you are helping create a community where students can build friendships, feel a sense of belonging, and make memories that will stay with them long after college.”
Austin Felling ’28, a member of Club Baseball, saw the impact of rallying club members. Club Baseball led student clubs in bringing in the largest number of new donors during Tommie Give Day.
“Our players reached out to family, friends and alumni to help raise funds for the program,” Felling said. “It has been great seeing everyone contribute to something that will benefit the entire team. It also reminds us how much support we have from the St. Thomas community.”
In addition to fundraising, students engaged in special activities across the St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses. Four in-person events, sponsored by U.S. Bank, brought the community together for treats, gratitude card writing and trivia.
A tradition of generosity and impact
This year’s campaign extended generosity beyond St. Thomas. Donors who made gifts of $100 or more qualified for a Tommie Rally Kit: a custom hat, cooler and pennant. Donors had the option to keep the kit or gift a knit hat to Catholic Charities Twin Cities. In total, 402 hats were gifted forward, and 758 Tommie Rally Kits were requested.
Over the past 12 years, Tommie Give Day donors have contributed more than $20 million, a powerful statement of commitment to St. Thomas students and advancing the common good.
Each year, the philanthropic tradition of Tommie Give Day reminds the entire Tommie community - near and far - of what’s possible when they come together in support of students and St. Thomas.
