On the sixth annual Giving Blueday, donors gave almost 16,000 gifts to the University of Michigan, amounting to a total of $4,242,531. In addition, the number of gifts this year increased by nearly 26 percent. A big Thank You to all of you who gave!
Giving Blueday takes place over 24 hours on December 3, 2019, and coincides with Giving Tuesday, a worldwide day of giving.
The total number of donors to Student Life this year was 4,339, a 51 percent increase compared to last year. Gifts benefiting Student Life programs included:
- Recreational Sports received 2,399 gifts totaling $156,146.
- Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs (MESA) received 107 gifts totaling $3,720.
- The Maize & Blue Cupboard had a great first year with 36 gifts totaling $5,221.
“Student Life had the highest number of gifts and donors. We had over double the number of donors and gifts of the next highest unit,” said Elizabeth Rathsack, Assistant Director of Development for Student Life. “We also had the highest numbers for first time donors, recent grads, and, of course, student donors.”
Student organizations also benefited. The number of student organizations fundraising on Giving Blueday rose for the fifth straight year, totaling more than 160 student organizations in 2019. Organizations included Kinesiology Student Government, the Association of Women in Science, SHEI Magazine, Michigan Cycling Club, Latin American & Native American Medical Association, Campus Farm, Michigan Voting Project, and many more. Dance Marathon brought in more donations than any other student organization.
This year, over 15 different challenges encouraged people to make donations. Donors who posted about Giving Blueday on social media received a match from other generous donors and the university. Student organizations and causes such as La Casa, Wolverine Support Network, and MUSIC Matters, among others, won prize money too.
“On Giving Blueday, we demonstrate what the Michigan community can accomplish when we come together,” said Vice President for Development Tom Baird. “Thanks to support from thousands of generous donors, Giving Blueday continues to be an incredible success every year.”
Each year, Giving Blueday continues to expand the university’s community of donors. To all of you who gave, thank you!
To help Student Life continue making a difference in students' lives, please consider making a gift.