Questions and Answers
Below you will find answers to many common questions about 1869 Challenge 2023.
What is the Trinity University 1869 Challenge?
During the annual 1869 Challenge, Trinity comes together as one to support students. During these 1,869 minutes, those who love and care for Trinity make a gift to the University. We come together to show our commitment to Trinity and its students. This year we’ve got our sights set on 3,000 donors.
The 1869 Challenge starts Wednesday, September 27 at 1:00 p.m. CDT and ends at 8:09 p.m. CDT on Thursday, September 29.
Why is it called the 1869 Challenge?
Trinity University was founded in 1869. During this Challenge, we honor the past, celebrate the present, and prepare for the future. We can’t provide support to all of the different parts of a Trinity education without your help.
If I make a gift before or after the Challenge, will my gift count towards the Challenge?
If you would like to give prior to the scheduled Challenge date, you can do so starting September 5. If you missed this Challenge, however, we encourage you to give whenever you'd like by visiting give.trinity.edu
What if the area I want to give to isn’t listed?
If you can't find the area where you'd like to designate your gift, give us a call at 210-999-7415.
Still have questions?
Who can participate?
Anyone is welcome to donate to the 1869 Challenge! We are relying on the strength of our Trinity community—including alumni, students, faculty, staff, families, and friends—to come together and make an impact on the lives of Trinity students.
Can I designate my gift?
Yes! You can designate your gift to any area of campus.
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Yes, it is!
What's the giving minimum?
The minimum gift is $5.
How does counting for the challenges and leaderboards work?
If you find it in your heart to support multiple areas across campus, thank you! However, we will make adjustments on the back end if we identify "ballot-stuffing" - a large number of small gifts made to a specific area to inflate the number of donors or donations. You will do more to support the areas you care about most by making your gift and then spreading the word to encourage others to join you.
If I send a check, will my gift be counted in the 1869 Challenge totals?
Checks received and processed on September 27 and 28 will be counted toward 1869 Challenge totals. The best way to ensure that your gift is counted in the 1869 Challenge totals is to give online at givingday.trinity.edu or 210-999-7415.
I would like to give through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF); what do I do?
If you would like to give through a donor-advised fund, please contact the institution where your DAF is managed to set up your gift. For your DAF gift to be counted toward the 1869 Challenge please send an email to Trinity’s Office of Annual Giving at trinityfund@trinity.edu to alert them to the incoming gift. In the email, please indicate your name, the gift amount, the designation you are giving to, and that you wish to have it count toward the 1869 Challenge.
I’m celebrating a reunion year. How do I ensure my gift counts toward my class’ Reunion Giving totals?
Congratulations on your reunion milestone. When you make your gift, make sure you indicate you are a Trinity alum and choose your class year in the drop down. The ten reunion classes also have a leaderboard so you can track your class’ progress there.
Does my name have to appear on the Donor Wall?
No. You may opt out by choosing to make your gift anonymously so that your name will not appear. Alternatively, there is an option for you to choose to keep your gift amount anonymous but still display your name. Please note, though, that the default is to list both your name and gift amount.
Still have questions?
Contact us at trinityfund@trinity.edu