On May 1, the SMSU Foundation hosted the 2025 M4L Day (Mustangs 4 Life Day) with alumni, friends, students, parents, faculty, and staff rallying for Southwest Minnesota State University’s fourth annual day of giving. This year’s event raised $91,049 from a total of 390 donors.

The 24-hour fundraising event is conducted entirely online. The platform allows Mustangs from across the country and around the world to support areas that mean the most to them.

Gifts of all sizes become eligible for bonuses throughout the day. This year $15,000 bonuses were awarded. Fifty-four of the 57 graduating classes participated from 29 states in the U.S. The average gift was $166.

The support each year continues to grow. The 2024 event closed with a total of $86,407. The second year, in 2023, a total of $65,000 was raised. The first year, in 2022, about $33,000 was raised. All the funds raised contribute to enhancing the student experience on campus through scholarships, support services, athletic teams, and classroom improvements.