De Mattias Society membership grows during NU’s 75th Anniversary year

Changes in membership qualifications for the De Mattias Society have resulted in significant growth in membership
for 2009-2010.

The De Mattias Society is a giving club named in honor of St. Maria De Mattias to support the annual unrestricted needs of the university as well as the annual restricted needs of the university.

Originally, the qualification for membership was set at a $1,000 unrestricted gift only, but input from donors led Newman to broaden membership to include gifts of $3,000 or more for restricted gifts.

“Opening the membership to include restricted gifts was a positive change for our donors who support specific needs year in and year out,” said Vice President for Institutional Advancement Tom Borrego. “By creating the new criteria, we have allowed recognition of our loyal donors who prefer to make restricted gifts.”

In 2008-2009, the membership of the De Mattias Society was 67, Borrego said. For 2009-2010, the De Mattias Society grew to 91 members, an increase of 36 percent.

The De Mattias Society membership drive for 2010-2011 is July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. Membership eligibility is determined by giving in the previous academic year.