Whether you’ve met him ambling across campus, had your photo taken with him at a Drake sporting event, or just follow his adventures on social media (if you don’t, you should) you know the impact that Live Mascot Griff has on the Drake experience and brand. In just four years, the Live Mascot Program has grown into a key focus of Drake’s culture. The Live Mascot provides a sense of community on campus and serves as an ambassador to the broader community for all Drake represents.

In recognition of the program’s importance and impact, a group of Drake community members including students, faculty, and alumni are launching a crowdfunding initiative to ensure that future Drake students will also benefit from having a Bulldog on campus through the Live Mascot Program. Keep an eye out on the alumni social channels for glimpses into the Live Mascot Program and your opportunity to support a program that gives so much to Drake.

This will be the pilot project for a new crowdfunding platform titled “Here’s to the One” being launched by Drake. The program takes its name from Drake’s fight song, “The ‘D’ Song”. The name is a nod to a Drake tradition, but also serves to recognize the many people at Drake who are doing incredible things.

More information on the platform itself will be available in the coming months. If you have any questions about the Live Mascot Program or crowdfunding at Drake, please contact Becca Widmer, director of Annual Giving, at becca.widmer@drake.edu.

—Alicia Chilton, University Communications & Marketing