To help achieve the $1 million goal, an anonymous donor has established “The Horizon Challenge,” generously agreeing to match all new and increased gifts to the Monmouth Fund, up to a total of $100,000. The challenge applies to gifts made through June 30, 2004.

The gift will match dollar for dollar the gifts that are given to the college from donors who did not make a contribution during the last fiscal year. Additionally, donors who gave a gift last year will get the increased portion of their new gift matched dollar for dollar if they increase it by at least 50 percent.

“Many schools, including Monmouth, experienced a decline in annual fund donations during the past year,” said Lucy Thompson, director of the Monmouth Fund. “While the percentage of alumni donors to the Monmouth Fund actually increased from 33 to 35 percent, the total dollars received did not meet our expectations.”

The Monmouth Fund is the financial backbone of Monmouth College, providing critical current operating revenue for the areas of greatest need. Gifts to the fund throughout the years have helped Monmouth meet the increasing challenges of educating its students and positioning itself for strength in the coming decades.

“I’m very excited about ‘The Horizon Challenge,’ and I believe it will result in the highest Monmouth Fund contributions in the college’s history,” Thompson concluded.