5th Annual M4L Day of Giving Set for April 16

Published Friday, March 27, 2026

M4L Day of Giving is April 16

SMSU to Host 5th Annual M4L Day of Giving on April 16, 2026

24-hour online event aims to raise $125,000 to support students and campus programs

Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) will host its 5th annual M4L (Mustangs 4 Life) Day of Giving on Thursday, April 16. M4L Day is a 24-hour online fundraising event designed to unite alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, and friends in support of the university.

M4L Day is a campus-wide effort encouraging donors to give to areas of SMSU that matter most to them—from academic programs and scholarships to athletics and student support initiatives. Supporters can contribute to one or more of 19 separate funds, helping to directly impact current and future students.

The event continues to grow each year. After raising more than $91,000 in 2025, SMSU has set an ambitious goal of $125,000 for 2026.

“M4L Day reflects the strength and pride of the Mustang family. When we come together to support current students, we show what it truly means to be Mustangs for Life,” said Nathan Polfliet, Associate Vice President for Advancement. “Every gift, regardless of size, supports student success and strengthens the future of SMSU.”

How it works

M4L Day is a fully online giving event running from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on April 16, allowing donors to participatefrom anywhere.

Throughout the day, donors can amplify their impact through a variety of challenges and matching opportunities. The day kicks off at midnight with a bonus awarded to the first gift and continues with dollar-for-dollar matches supporting areas like the Mustang Market, Southwest Fund, Agriculture, and more.

Additional challenges reward participation across the Mustang community—including bonuses unlocked when donors give from 25 different states and from 45 graduating class years. Special incentives also recognize first-time donors, top-performing departments, and athletic participation milestones.

Campus celebration

In addition to the online campaign, the campus community is invited to attend an in-person M4L Day Celebration at noon in the SMSU Student Center.

The event will feature:

Light refreshments and networking opportunities
Live updates on fundraising progress
A large-scale rock-paper-scissors challenge, where participation helps increase a donation to the fund of the winner’s choice

The celebration is open to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members

To learn more or make a gift, visit: www.M4LDay.com

Early giving is available, and all contributions made in advance will count toward the April 16 totals.