WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Athletics experienced another landmark Purdue Day of Giving on April 30, raising $9.5 million through a record-breaking 3,232 gifts to support student-athletes across all 18 Boilermaker sport programs. The day was part of a university-wide effort that generated $105.1 million from 36,875 gifts—the highest number of gifts ever made in a single day to Purdue University.
"The continued support of the Boilermaker community, across all areas of campus, is a strong reminder of what's possible when we work together," said Mike Bobinski, executive vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics. "This year's Purdue Day of Giving reflected just how committed our supporters are to the future success of Purdue Athletics and the university as a whole."
This year's effort also marked the successful conclusion of the Forging Ahead campaign, which officially met and exceeded its $18.69 million goal. Launched in 2023, the campaign focused on recruiting, retention, and student-athlete development—resulting in immediate investments in leadership programming, facility enhancements, and staffing, while also establishing a permanent endowment to support future generations of Boilermakers.
"We are incredibly proud of what this collective push has accomplished—and even more grateful for the generosity that made it possible," said Tim House, deputy athletics director and associate vice president for development. "This was a true team effort, and we are thankful for every donor who helped us finish strong."
In a major update this year, John Purdue Club priority points can now be earned through giving to any Purdue unit across the West Lafayette campus, including Purdue University in Indianapolis. Donors will continue to earn points for gifts to Athletics, but now also receive one point per $1,000 in cash gifts and one point per $5,000 in irrevocable deferred gifts to academic and other non-athletics units.
The expansion of John Purdue Club priority points also aligns with Victories & Heroes: Your Campaign for Purdue. With a goal of $4 billion raised by early 2030, this comprehensive campaign will accelerate the growth of Purdue's endowment while focusing on the university's four strategic initiatives—its comprehensive urban expansion in Indianapolis, the Mitch Daniels School of Business, Purdue Computes, and One Health—as well as Purdue Athletics and other key areas. The financial support will help further amplify successes across the university's land-grant mission: learning, discovery, and engagement. The philanthropic funds raised will support scholarships, professorships, research, facilities, and university programs.
In addition to the John Purdue Club's results, the Boilermaker Alliance raised more than $750,000 in support of name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities for Purdue student-athletes, continuing its work to connect Boilermakers with service and brand-building opportunities in their communities.
With two months remaining in the fiscal year, Purdue Athletics is on track for its highest fundraising year ever. The John Purdue Club remains focused on fully funding the department's $13.5 million annual scholarship bill and supporting the long-term goals of Purdue's strategic plan for success in the classroom, in competition, and beyond.
John Purdue Club Day returns to the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex on Saturday, June 7, kicking off the 2025–26 membership year with a celebration that will showcase the newly opened Pete Dye Clubhouse. The event will feature a golf scramble, pickleball tournament, and a 19th Hole Par-Tee with live music, dinner, an open bar, and exclusive updates from Purdue Athletics leadership. Active John Purdue Club members can reach out to their Boilermaker Athletics Representative to register.
For more information on supporting Purdue student-athletes or becoming a John Purdue Club member, visit JohnPurdueClub.com or contact the John Purdue Club office at 765.494.2582. To learn more about Purdue Day of Giving, visit dayofgiving.purdue.edu.
"The continued support of the Boilermaker community, across all areas of campus, is a strong reminder of what's possible when we work together," said Mike Bobinski, executive vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics. "This year's Purdue Day of Giving reflected just how committed our supporters are to the future success of Purdue Athletics and the university as a whole."
This year's effort also marked the successful conclusion of the Forging Ahead campaign, which officially met and exceeded its $18.69 million goal. Launched in 2023, the campaign focused on recruiting, retention, and student-athlete development—resulting in immediate investments in leadership programming, facility enhancements, and staffing, while also establishing a permanent endowment to support future generations of Boilermakers.
"We are incredibly proud of what this collective push has accomplished—and even more grateful for the generosity that made it possible," said Tim House, deputy athletics director and associate vice president for development. "This was a true team effort, and we are thankful for every donor who helped us finish strong."
In a major update this year, John Purdue Club priority points can now be earned through giving to any Purdue unit across the West Lafayette campus, including Purdue University in Indianapolis. Donors will continue to earn points for gifts to Athletics, but now also receive one point per $1,000 in cash gifts and one point per $5,000 in irrevocable deferred gifts to academic and other non-athletics units.
The expansion of John Purdue Club priority points also aligns with Victories & Heroes: Your Campaign for Purdue. With a goal of $4 billion raised by early 2030, this comprehensive campaign will accelerate the growth of Purdue's endowment while focusing on the university's four strategic initiatives—its comprehensive urban expansion in Indianapolis, the Mitch Daniels School of Business, Purdue Computes, and One Health—as well as Purdue Athletics and other key areas. The financial support will help further amplify successes across the university's land-grant mission: learning, discovery, and engagement. The philanthropic funds raised will support scholarships, professorships, research, facilities, and university programs.
In addition to the John Purdue Club's results, the Boilermaker Alliance raised more than $750,000 in support of name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities for Purdue student-athletes, continuing its work to connect Boilermakers with service and brand-building opportunities in their communities.
With two months remaining in the fiscal year, Purdue Athletics is on track for its highest fundraising year ever. The John Purdue Club remains focused on fully funding the department's $13.5 million annual scholarship bill and supporting the long-term goals of Purdue's strategic plan for success in the classroom, in competition, and beyond.
John Purdue Club Day returns to the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex on Saturday, June 7, kicking off the 2025–26 membership year with a celebration that will showcase the newly opened Pete Dye Clubhouse. The event will feature a golf scramble, pickleball tournament, and a 19th Hole Par-Tee with live music, dinner, an open bar, and exclusive updates from Purdue Athletics leadership. Active John Purdue Club members can reach out to their Boilermaker Athletics Representative to register.
For more information on supporting Purdue student-athletes or becoming a John Purdue Club member, visit JohnPurdueClub.com or contact the John Purdue Club office at 765.494.2582. To learn more about Purdue Day of Giving, visit dayofgiving.purdue.edu.