California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks received $1,048,960 in donations from 2,227 gifts on Cal Lutheran Cares Day, a 24-hour fundraising event that allows people to make donations to university departments and programs.
The private nonprofit school’s board of regents collectively donated more than $250,000 in matching gifts to bolster fundraising efforts.
Athletics received $269,684, the most donation money received by a campus program. Football accounted for $57,841, or 21.4%, of the athletics donations. Men’s basketball and baseball ranked No. 2 and No. 3 respectively in athletics donations.
Narrowly behind athletics was scholarships, which raked in $266,197. Nearly 97% of all CLU students received a scholarship or grant this year, according to CLU. “The need for scholarships is great,” a CLU webpage stated. “At a time when many families are questioning the value of higher education, scholarships tip the balance.”
Filling out the rest of the top five donated-to programs was the university’s annual fund, its school of management and its campus equity and inclusion fund. The annual fund contributes to scholarships, financial aid, student services, activities and more.
The Los Angeles Rams and Angel City Football Club, which conduct practice at CLU, also made donations for the fundraising event.