PRIZES AND AWARDS
The 2026 Delaware-Marquette Challenge has special prizes and awards planned for the top fundraisers. View the details below and get on “the list” of schools supporting this initiative.
All participating schools will be invited to attend a recognition event at CSM 2027. The Foundation will present framed certificates and awards in recognition of schools raising $3,000 or more and special award winners for the 2026 Delaware-Marquette Challenge. Participating schools raising under $3,000 will receive a certificate suitable for framing. All participating schools will be recognized in the APTA’s national publication, APTA Magazine, and in the Foundation’s annual report.
- $1,000 reimbursement for student(s) travel to attend CSM 2026. The reimbursement can be shared with one or more students from the program.
- Full registration for two students to attend CSM 2026.
- New this year: In-person Foundation staff visit in 2026 to meet with faculty and students. Video produced to promote the Challenge and highlight the program’s involvement as Co-Host.
- In-person recognition at a Foundation CSM 2026 event to present 2025 awards and launch the 2026 Marquette Challenge.
- Naming rights and opportunity to Co-Host the 2026 Challenge. Letter of Understanding to be provided to the winning school by December 31, 2025.
- Leadership opportunity for students to volunteer with Marquette students to promote the Challenge at the Foundation’s CSM 2026 booth.
- Opportunity for students to volunteer with Marquette students to engage students at a Foundation recognition event and other Foundation and APTA events geared toward students.
- Faculty invitations to Foundation special events during CSM 2026.
- Recognition of award on social media.
- Opportunity to submit a 1-minute video or photos (guidelines will be provided) to be shared on social media and opportunity for students to be included in a video filmed during the recognition event at CSM 2026.
- Customized swag for up to four student coordinators in recognition of their participation.
- School’s name engraved on the Traveling Challenge Cup.
- Profile of program Challenge efforts and student fundraisers to be featured on the Foundation’s website, social media, and e-news article.
- $800 reimbursement for student(s) travel to attend CSM 2026. The reimbursement can be shared with one or more students from the program.
- Full registration for one student to attend CSM 2026.
- In-person recognition at a Foundation CSM 2026 event to present 2025 awards and launch the 2026 Marquette Challenge.
- Recognition of award on social media.
- Faculty invitations to Foundation special events during CSM 2026.
- Opportunity to submit up to 30 second video or photos (guidelines will be provided) to be shared on social media and opportunity for students to be included in a video filmed during the recognition event during CSM 2026.
- Customized swag for up to four student coordinators in recognition of their participation.
- Profile of program Challenge efforts to include student fundraisers featured on the Foundation website and included as an e-news article.
- $600 reimbursement for student(s) travel to attend CSM 2026. The reimbursement can be shared with one or more students from the program.
- In-person recognition at a Foundation CSM 2026 event to present 2025 awards and launch the 2026 Marquette Challenge.
- Recognition of award on social media.
- Faculty invitations to Foundation special events during CSM 2026.Opportunity to submit up to 30 second video or photos (guidelines will be provided) to be shared on social media and opportunity for students to be included in a video filmed during the recognition event during CSM 2026.
- Customized swag for up to four student coordinators in recognition of their participation.
- Profile of program Challenge efforts to include student fundraisers featured on the Foundation website and included as an e-news article.
- $500 reimbursement for student(s) travel to attend CSM 2026. The reimbursement can be shared with one or more students from the program.
- In-person recognition at a Foundation CSM 2026 event to present 2025 awards and launch the 2026 Marquette Challenge.
- Customized swag for two student coordinators in recognition of their participation.
- Faculty invitations to Foundation special events during CSM 2026.
- Recognition of award on social media.
- Opportunity for students to be included in a video filmed during the recognition event during CSM 2026.
- $400 reimbursement for student travel to attend CSM 2026. The reimbursement can be shared with one or more students from the program.
- In-person recognition at a Foundation CSM 2026 event to present 2025 awards and launch the 2026 Marquette Challenge.
- Customized swag for two student coordinators in recognition of their participation.
- Faculty invitations to Foundation special events during CSM 2026.
- Recognition of award on social media.
- Opportunity for students to be included in a video filmed during the recognition event during CSM 2026.
- $300 reimbursement for student travel to attend CSM 2026. The reimbursement can be shared with one or more students from the program.
- In-person recognition at a Foundation CSM 2026 event to present 2025 awards and launch the 2026 Marquette Challenge.
- Customized swag for two student coordinators in recognition of their participation.
- Faculty invitations to Foundation special events during CSM 2026.
- Recognition of award on social media.
- Customized swag for two student coordinators in recognition of their participation.
- In-person recognition at a Foundation CSM 2026 event to present 2025 awards and launch the 2026 Marquette Challenge.
- Recognition in the national publication, APTA Magazine and in the Foundation’s annual report.
- Most Successful Newcomer
- Biggest Stretch – most raised over previous year
- Most Successful PTA School
- Most Creative Fundraiser
- Best Comeback – Highest level of fundraising after an absence of at least 2 years
- Best Effort to Raise $1,000
- Customized swag for two student coordinators in recognition of their participation.
- In-person recognition at a Foundation CSM 2026 event to present 2025 awards and launch the 2026 Marquette Challenge.
- Recognition in the national publication, APTA Magazine and in the Foundation’s annual report
Awarded to schools with cumulative fundraising of $50,000 or more and exceptional participation of at
least 10 years consecutive or non-consecutive. Engraved awards and recognition for new inductees into
the Marquette Challenge Philanthropy Circle will be awarded at a Foundation CSM 2026 event to schools
reaching the following cumulative totals:
1. Cornerstone Society – $ 50,000
2. Challenge Society – $100,000
3. Collegiate Society – $200,000
4. Champion Society – $300,000
5. Crest Society – $400,000
6. Capstone Society – $500,000
7. Leaders Society- $600,000
STAY CONNECTED
* The prize package with the greatest benefit will be awarded to schools. Prizes are not duplicated for winning other categories except for framed and longevity awards.
On an annual basis the Foundation Board may decide to bestow a one-time special award recognizing a program for an extraordinary event.
The school totals for the Marquette Challenge Philanthropy Circle represent cumulative giving since the Challenge's inception in 1989.
Leaders Society (schools raising $600,000+)
University of Pittsburgh
Crest Society (schools raising $400,000+)
Marquette University
University of Miami
Champion Society (schools raising $300,000+)
University of Miami
Virginia Commonwealth University
Challenge Society (schools raising $100,000+)
Emory University
New York University
Northwestern University
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Sacred Heart University
University of Colorado
University of Delaware
Cornerstone Society (schools raising $50,000+)
Arcadia University
Boston University
Indiana University
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
MGH Institute of Health Professions
Midwestern University – Downers Grove
Northwestern University
The Ohio State University
The University of Iowa
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Washington University in St. Louis
*Please note that, at this time, there are no programs within the Collegiate Society ($200,000+) and Capstone Society ($500,000+).