Meaningful Momentum: Challenge Donors Lead by Example

One Day for STATE is all about Jackrabbits banding together to transform the lives of their fellow Jackrabbits, and the more people that join the frenzy of philanthropy, the more magic we build at SDSU each year.

A key group of people helping to build that magic are our challenge donors. These invaluable members of the yellow and blue community are a driving force in broadening the impact and creating greater excitement year after year.

The power of One Day for STATE lies not in the number of dollars raised, but in the number of people reached, and challenge donors are instrumental in rallying gifts from their fellow Jackrabbits. Challenges are unlocked throughout the day based on how many friends and alumni make a gift, not the size of the gift they make.
 

Gordon Niva and Susan Lahr are a prime example of that generosity. Lifelong Jackrabbits, the couple have been closely involved with university celebrations since they graduated. Adding One Day for STATE to their ongoing passion areas seemed like a natural next step.

Serving as challenge donors since the inaugural giving day in 2017, Gordon describes the power of One Day for STATE as being catalyzed by “the spirit of doing something meaningful together.” Donors like him and Susan are critical in getting other Jackrabbits into the spirit of things, and it’s a challenge he credits as being more than worth it.

As alumni who were in on the “ground floor” of One Day for STATE, Gordon and Susan were among the first donors who immediately answered the call to create a new tradition of bold philanthropy. In 2017, 25 challenges were offered up in support of the event. In 2025, both individuals and businesses alike will join in the effort to celebrate all things SDSU, funding over 100 different challenges.

Looking back on the overwhelming success of One Day for STATE, Gordon said, “SDSU has found the right recipe for this kind of event. It’s an outstanding use of digital channels, media, and digital payment to get great reach and easy engagement.”

At its core, the celebration is a testament to overwhelming Jackrabbit pride, demonstrated by alumni, students, staff, and everyone in between. “For Susan and me, it’s all about our desire to engage those early donors and start them in a habit of giving, no matter the size,” said Gordon.

The event appeals to alumni of all ages, spanning multiple generations to connect Jackrabbits of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Graduates supporting organizations and areas they once held dear can connect with students whose lives are being touched by those same causes, speaking to an underlying message everyone on One Day for STATE seems to feel: once a Jackrabbit, always a Jackrabbit.