HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Hilbert College community came together last month for its annual Giving Day and recorded the College’s most successful Giving Day in its history.  The record-breaking day garnered over 280 gifts and nearly $270,000.  The dollar amount represents an over 500% increase over last year’s Giving Day total.

The tremendous increase is, in part, thanks to an anonymous donor, which unlocked a $125,000 gift once Giving Day donations reached 75 new donors to support the student scholarships and success fund.

“I am so grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support for Hilbert students on this year’s Giving Day,” Hilbert President Michael S. Brophy, Ph.D. said. "Together with our alumni, trustees, faculty, and staff, we renew the spirit of Mother Colette Hilbert, who said ‘in all things charity.’ You have helped support our number one priority - the health, well-being, and success of Hilbert students. To our loyal and generous donors, we thank you.”

In addition to the anonymous donor challenge, donors unlocked three other challenges to boost the overall giving support:

• Forensic Science Challenge - $2,500 from Professor Mary Ann Hobar was unlocked when the Forensic Science Dept. reached $500 in gifts;
• Hilbert Athletics Challenge - $10,000 from John Ciminelli was unlocked when $10,000 was raised to support student athletes; and
• West Herr Athletics Challenge - $25,000 from West Herr was unlocked when 25 new donors made gifts to Hilbert athletics.

Hilbert College’s annual Giving Day brings together members of the Hilbert community to show their love for Hilbert and to support the students’ most critical needs.  During these unusual and unpredictable past two years, requests for campus mental health services have greatly increased. The College will rely on these unrestricted funds to support these important student resources that we know will continue to grow. In addition, Hilbert remains dedicated to providing a thriving academic environment by upgrading classroom and lab technology throughout campus.

Hilbert College, located in suburban Hamburg, N.Y., south of Buffalo, is a private four-year college founded in 1957 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition. With over 800 students, Hilbert is a dynamic Western New York college that offers career-focused majors, including one of the top criminal justice programs in the region, and more than 50 minors and concentrations. The college’s engaging, student-centered campus community offers numerous leadership, internship, and service learning opportunities from which students launch successful careers while making positive changes in their communities. The Hilbert Blueprint promotes a well-rounded student experience over four years – starting with the Foundations Seminar in the freshman year, followed by Sophomore Service, Junior Symposium, and culminating with the Senior Capstone. Hilbert has expanded its academic offerings with the college’s first graduate programs in criminal justice administration and public administration, including a track in health administration.