Galvanizing for Giving

Picture yourself making the University of Maryland’s ninth annual Giving Day a success.

It’s a snap: Selfies showing Terps in their UMD gear, starring their pets or posing with a classic pennant shared on social media are among the ways to financially boost their favorite campus units in the University of Maryland’s 24-hour fundraising marathon today.

From midnight through 11:59 p.m. on March 9, the university will rally supporters—alums, faculty, staff, students, parents and friends—to give to their choice of 563 scholarships, academic departments, emergency causes and outside-the-classroom experiences. It’s an opportunity for Terps to recognize any influential aspect of their time at UMD.

“Every gift, no matter the size, provides opportunities for students, drives cutting-edge research, supports the arts and athletics, and strengthens our mission to take on the grand challenges of our time,” said UMD President Darryll J. Pines.

Last year’s Giving Day raised $2.8 million from nearly 8,900 donors. Small gifts typically comprise the majority of Giving Day contributions, making “the sum greater than all of the parts together,” said Jennie Culotta, director of annual giving.

Throughout the day, prizes incentivize donations from various constituencies. During given windows of time, the unit that brings in the greatest number of gifts from families, students, alums, or faculty and staff members will get extra funds.

In addition, winners of a pet photo challenge and randomly selected supporters using the #GivingDayUMD and #Igave hashtags on Instagram and Twitter will earn added dollars for whichever unit they want to support. For another social media contest, a throwback UMD pennant is available for download on the Giving Day website; 10 randomly selected winners who post a selfie with the pennant will add $100 each to their favorite program.

Members of the Board of Trustees, led by Giving Day chair Michael Schwab, are among the generous university supporters amping up the bottom line today with matching funds.

Some $775,000 across a variety of units will be matched, said Culotta.