The 1869 Challenge for 2023 is now over, but you can still make a gift here
Critical Funds

Critical funds provide meaningful support to the best and brightest students from all backgrounds who deserve a chance to have a Trinity education, regardless of their economic situations or the financial pressures that may arise during their time here.

  • The Student Accessibility Fund guarantees that students have equitable access to all aspects of Trinity's campus by providing reasonable accommodations for all levels of physical and academic ability.  
  • Since 2010, Trinity’s Summer Bridge FYE Program has given first-generation and underrepresented students a chance to come to campus early and transition to college life. These students begin their First Year Experience class and receive free housing, books, and meals during the program. They’re also introduced to the writing and time-management skills that are so critical to academic success. 
  • The Student Technology Fund provides eligible students with technology needs: laptop, headphones, WIFI hotspot, for example, which are critical for current college students to be successful in their day-to-day studies. 
  • Trinity established the Necessity Fund in 2018 to provide first-year students with toiletries, linens, and essential items for day-to-day dorm living. Eligible students can opt-in, and the items will be waiting for them when they arrive at their residence hall on move-in day.
  • The Raymond Judd Student Emergency Fund, named in honor of Chaplain Emeritus Rev. Raymond Judd ’56, helps students who are challenged to afford and access necessary resources for remote learning, housing, transportation, and basic needs, or those who face other difficulties. 100% of these funds are available to support our students through graduation or during the next step in their journey. Funding decisions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by Chapel, Student Life, and Counseling Services staff.
$50,000
ANOTHER NEW ALUMNI CHALLENGE
If we can get 50 more donors in the next 30 minutes we will unlock an additional $50,000 for Trinity students.
50 / 50 Donors
Completed
$5,000
Student Tech Fund
If 50 donors support the Student Technology Fund, Board of Trustee Ruth Agather will give $5,000 to Trinity University. The Student Technology Fund provides eligible students with technology needs: laptop, headphones, and WIFI hotspot, for example, which are critical for current college students to be successful in their day-to-day studies.
Completed
$300,000
Support Trinity Students!!
Once we have 3,000 donors, Trinity will receive $300,000!!
3,000 / 3,000 Donors
Completed
$10,000
Raymond Judd Student Emergency Fund
If $10,000 is raised for the Raymond Judd Student Emergency Fund, $10,000 will be unlocked for Trinity University students. The Raymond Judd Student Emergency Fund, named in honor of Chaplain Emeritus Rev. Raymond Judd ’56, helps students who are challenged to afford and access necessary resources for remote learning, housing, transportation, and basic needs or those who face other difficulties. 100% of these funds are available to support our students through graduation or during the next step in their journey. Funding decisions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by Chapel, Student Life, and Counseling Services staff.
$10,000 / $10,000 Raised
Completed
$15,000
Parent Challenge
An anonymous 2025 Trinity University Family will give Trinity $15,000 when current parents make gifts totaling $15,000 to the fund of their choice.
$15,000 / $15,000 Raised
Completed
$3,000
Alumni Parent Challenge
An anonymous alumna who is also a current parent, challenges other alumni parents to make a gift to a fund of their choice. When 50 alumni parents make a gift during the challenge they will unlock a gift of $3,000 in support of Trinity students. (Select "Alum & Current TU Parent" in the Tell Us Who You Are section)
50 / 50 Donors
Completed
$40,000
Class of 1978 - 45th Reunion Class Challenge
If 25 donors from the Class of 1978 make a gift to any area of campus during the 1869 Challenge, Denny Post '78 will give $40,000 to Trinity.
Completed
Leaderboard
Greek Life- Top 3 Sororities- Most Donors
The Top 3 Sororities with the most donors will each receive 25 standards points to be used this Fall or this Spring.
ALUMNI- Were/are you a member of a Trinity fraternity or sorority? Let us know which one!
Rank Answer Donors
1 Spurs Sorority 110
2 Gamma Chi Delta Sorority 103
3 Sigma Theta Tau Sorority 75
4 Chi Beta Epsilon Sorority 46
5 Zeta Chi Sorority 36
6 Alpha Chi Lambda Sorority 27
7 Phi Delta Kappa Sorority 12
Ended
Leaderboard
Greek Life- Highest Dollar Amount
The Fraternity or Sorority who raises the most dollars during the 1869 Challenge will win free tacos at a club meeting delivered by LeeRoy the Tiger.
ALUMNI- Were/are you a member of a Trinity fraternity or sorority? Let us know which one!
Rank Answer Amount
1 Bengal Lancers Fraternity $19,525.00
2 Chi Delta Tau Fraternity $14,655.00
3 Spurs Sorority $13,435.19
4 Chi Beta Epsilon Sorority $8,799.00
5 Omega Phi Fraternity $8,773.00
6 Triniteer Fraternity $8,260.00
7 Gamma Chi Delta Sorority $7,514.00
8 Alpha Chi Lambda Sorority $6,275.00
9 Sigma Theta Tau Sorority $6,265.00
10 Zeta Chi Sorority $3,479.89
11 Kappa Kappa Delta Fraternity $2,708.69
12 Phi Sigma Chi Fraternity $1,385.00
13 Iota Chi Rho Fraternity $1,250.00
14 Phi Delta Kappa Sorority $675.00
Ended
$100,000
NEW ALUMNI CHALLENGE
There has never been a better time to give! NEW ALUMNI DONORS who haven't given since June 2023 can MULTIPLY their impact and unlock an additional $1,000 per donor, up to $100,000.
100 / 100 Donors
Completed
$5,000
Skyline Scholars (Formerly Summer Bridge Program)
If 50 donors support the Skyline Scholars, Board of Trustee Ruth Agather will give $5,000 to Trinity University students. Since 2010, Trinity’s Skyline Scholars Program has given first-generation and underrepresented students a chance to come to campus early and transition to college life. These students begin their First Year Experience class and receive free housing, books, and meals during the program. They’re also introduced to the writing and time-management skills that are so critical to academic success.
Completed
$5,000
Necessity Fund
If 50 donors support the Necessity Fund, Board of Trustee Ruth Agather will give $5,000 to Trinity University. Trinity established the Necessity Fund in 2018 to provide first-year students with toiletries, linens, and essential items for day-to-day dorm living. Eligible students can opt-in; the items will be waiting for them when they arrive at their residence hall on move-in day.
50 / 50 Donors
Completed
Leaderboard
Parent Challenge
Which Parent Class has the most #TigerPride? This challenge pits classes 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027 against each other to see who has the most donors during the 1869 Challenge. The winning parent class will be announced on the TU Parents Facebook page and the Parent Portal, plus it will be highlighted during Fall Family Weekend.
Current Parents, what year is your student?
Rank Answer Donors
1 2027 184
2 2026 163
3 2025 135
4 2024 134
Ended
$21,458
Parent Council Challenge
The Trinity University Parent Council challenges all Trinity Parents to make a gift to the fund of their choice. They will give Trinity $21,458 when Current Parents make gifts totaling $21,458 to the fund of their choice.
$21,458 / $21,458 Raised
Completed
Leaderboard
Reunion Class Challenge
The reunion class with the most donors during the 1869 Challenge will get special recognition during Alumni Weekend in October.
Alumni, what is your class year?
Rank Answer Donors
1 2003 48
2 2008 41
3 1993 39
4 2018 33
5 2013 31
6 1998 28
7 1978 22
8 1988 20
9 1983 13
10 1973 12
Ended
Leaderboard
Greek Life- Most Donors
The Fraternity or Sorority with the most Unique Donors will win the honor of having LeeRoy the Tiger wear their jersey on Bid Day on January 26th, 2024.
ALUMNI- Were/are you a member of a Trinity fraternity or sorority? Let us know which one!
Rank Answer Donors
1 Spurs Sorority 110
2 Gamma Chi Delta Sorority 103
3 Sigma Theta Tau Sorority 75
4 Chi Beta Epsilon Sorority 46
5 Triniteer Fraternity 40
6 Chi Delta Tau Fraternity 37
7 Zeta Chi Sorority 36
8 Omega Phi Fraternity 35
9 Kappa Kappa Delta Fraternity 35
10 Bengal Lancers Fraternity 32
11 Alpha Chi Lambda Sorority 27
12 Phi Delta Kappa Sorority 12
13 Iota Chi Rho Fraternity 11
14 Phi Sigma Chi Fraternity 7
Ended
Leaderboard
Greek Life- Top 3 Fraternities- Most Donors
The 3 Fraternities with the most donors will each receive 25 standards points to be used this Fall or this Spring.
ALUMNI- Were/are you a member of a Trinity fraternity or sorority? Let us know which one!
Rank Answer Donors
1 Triniteer Fraternity 40
2 Chi Delta Tau Fraternity 37
3 Omega Phi Fraternity 35
4 Kappa Kappa Delta Fraternity 35
5 Bengal Lancers Fraternity 32
6 Iota Chi Rho Fraternity 11
7 Phi Sigma Chi Fraternity 7
Ended
Leaderboard
Varsity Athletics- Alumni Participation % Challenge
The Varsity sport with the highest overall alumni participation percentage will unlock an additional $2,500 from President Vanessa Beasley,
Alumni Varsity Athletes, which sport did you play?
Rank Answer Donors
1 Volleyball 65
2 Football 63
3 Track & Field 51
4 Men's Soccer 48
5 Swimming & Diving 31
6 Cross Country 27
7 Women's Soccer 24
8 Golf 18
9 Baseball 18
10 Men's Basketball 16
11 Softball 15
12 Women's Basketball 13
13 Men's Tennis 8
14 Women's Tennis 8
Ended
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