Over 1,869 minutes, from September 16 to 17, Trinity University students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends supported the people, programs, and experiences that meant the most to them by donating during the 1869 Challenge, an annual fundraising event that commemorates the year Trinity was founded.
This year, 3,873 Tigers or Tiger fans contributed more than $1.03 million to 225 funds. Nearly 1,000 donors supported academic areas, more than 1,400 rallied around Trinity Athletics, and hundreds more supported student organizations, Greek life, endowed funds, critical funds, radio station KRTU 91.7 FM, the Department of Healthcare Administration, and the Trinity Fund. See the full results here.
“Each gift represents someone who believes in Trinity University, and in the amazing work our students, faculty, and staff do on a daily basis,” said Mike Bacon, vice president for Alumni Relations and Development. “Their gifts are expanding access and opportunities for students, advancing excellence across the university, and strengthening the distinctive experiences that define a Trinity education.”
In true 1869 Challenge fashion, a little friendly competition made those 1,869 minutes even more exciting. Challenges and matches inspired donors to rally their communities, climb leaderboards, and unlock additional support. The result was a powerful expression of One Trinity and the collective spirit at the heart of Our Time: The Campaign for Trinity University.
Academics
Excellence in the classroom has long been at the heart of the Trinity experience, and Tigers once again rallied behind the faculty and academic programs that make it possible. Trinity University President Vanessa B. Beasley, Ph.D., and First Gentleman Trey Beasley pledged a $10,000 challenge to encourage support for Trinity’s academic departments. The Department of Earth and Environmental Geosciences led the competition with 130 donors, earning an additional $4,500 on top of what was already contributed. The Department of Sociology and Anthropology’s John Donahue Student Award Scholarship, which supports a student doing research or community-based projects that advance social justice, followed with 109 donors and earned $3,000, while the Department of Classical Studies finished third with 79 donors and earned $2,500.
Other challenges created even more opportunities for academic programs. Alumnus Matthew Cavenaugh ’03 contributed $20,003 to Trinity Theatre after 40 donors answered his challenge, while gifts to the Department of History received a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $1,869 from Shane Manning ’14. When Trinity Choral Activities surpassed its goal of 100 donors, Professor Gary Seighman, DMA, had a different kind of commitment to fulfill: an ice water bucket challenge.
Alumni
Tigers near and far showed that their connection to Trinity continues long after graduation.
Among this year’s reunion classes, the Class of 2021 led the way with 44 donors and received special recognition during this year's Alumni Weekend, October 15-18.
Regional alumni clubs also competed for bragging rights and additional funds for future club activities. The San Antonio Regional Club topped the Texas leaderboard with 49 donors, while the New York Regional Club led regional clubs outside Texas with 20 donors.
Athletics
Trinity Athletics fans brought their competitive spirit to the Challenge. Women’s Ultimate Frisbee led club sports in both dollars raised and donor participation, receiving $5,270 from 99 donors. Polo and Riding Club followed with 16 donors, while the Men’s Water Polo Club finished third in donor participation with 10. Men’s volleyball finished second in dollars with $2,695 in support of their club team.
Their efforts unlocked additional support while strengthening the student-led programs that create opportunities for Tigers to compete, connect, and find community outside the classroom.
Trinity varsity student-athletes, alumni, families, and fans also showed up in force.
Swimming and Diving led varsity athletics in donor participation with 228 donors, earning an additional $1,500 for the program. Cross Country raised the most dollars with $45,661 and earned an additional $1,000.
More than 550 current student-athletes joined the effort, too, with teams competing to achieve full roster participation and demonstrating that philanthropy at Trinity is something Tigers can be part of even before graduation.
Parents
Parents of the Class of 2030 led the Parent Spirit Challenge with 177 donors, followed closely by the Class of 2028 with 169 donors. The Class of 2029 had 143 donors, while the Class of 2027 had 132.
Student Organizations
The 1869 Challenge gives students an opportunity to rally support for the communities they are building right now. The Black Student Union led the large student organization competition with 78 donors and earned an additional $150. The Cat Alliance finished second with 71 donors and earned $75, while the Mirage finished third with 50 donors and earned $50.
The Vietnamese Student Association led the small student organization competition with 45 donors and earned an additional $150. First Time Offenders Improv Comedy Troupe followed closely with 43 donors and earned $75, while Women in Computing finished third with 20 donors and earned $50. Each gift helps students create the programs, traditions, experiences, and connections that make campus feel like home.
Greek Life
The Bengal Lancers raised $43,260, the highest dollar total among participating fraternities and sororities, earning free tacos at a club meeting delivered by LeeRoy the Tiger.
Gamma Chi Delta led Greek Life in donor participation with 110 donors, earning the honor of having LeeRoy wear the organization’s jersey on Bid Day.
Gamma Chi Delta, Spurs, and Chi Beta Epsilon finished as the top three sororities by donor participation, while Bengal Lancers, Chi Delta Tau, and Omega Phi led among fraternities.
What’s Possible When Tigers Come Together
For some, it was the academic department where a faculty mentor changed the course of their Trinity experience. For others, it was a team, student organization, scholarship, fraternity or sorority, or program that gave them a place to belong. And for many, it was an opportunity to ensure today’s students have access to the same transformative Trinity experience.
“Thank you to every Tiger who gave, shared, challenged, encouraged, and celebrated during the 2026 1869 Challenge. Your generosity is helping shape what’s possible for Trinity students today and for generations to come,” Bacon said.