‘Giving’ It Their All
Units Go to Extremes to Encourage Generosity During UMD’s Fundraising Marathon
Today is Giving Day, UMD's annual 24-hour fundraising marathon that supports initiatives across campus.
Photo by Dylan Singleton
A marching band, a hot sauce taste test and a chocolate fountain—no, it’s not the world’s weirdest party, it’s another year of Giving Day, the University of Maryland’s annual 24-hour philanthropy extravaganza.
Today marks the 12th annual fundraising push, when students, alums, faculty, staff and friends of UMD unite to support programs, units and initiatives across campus. Originally known as Scholarship Day, Giving Day now has a selection of more than 600 funds for donors to choose from, giving them an opportunity to select the campus cause that’s closest to their hearts. (Last year’s Giving Day set a record high, with a total of $4,221,558 raised by 9,663 individual donors.)
“Giving Day is a lot like a big pep rally,” said Diana Forbus, associate director of broad-based campaigns and strategic engagement at UMD. “It’s school spirit and Terp pride bringing us all together to raise money to do good and have an outsize impact on this university.”
Some units have gained a reputation for going all-out on Giving Day. Read on to see what they’ve got planned for this year’s philanthropy spree.
Last year, Nima Farshchi '14, MBA '20 took a pie to the face for every $50 donor to the Robert H. Smith School of Business' Center for Social Value Creation.
Robert H. Smith School of Business’ Center for Social Value Creation
Center Director Nima Farshchi ’14, MBA ’20 has no problem making himself the punchline on Giving Day if it generates more fundraising support. Three years ago, his team partnered with Royal Farms for a challenge in which he ate a piece of fried chicken for every donor who gave $25 or more. After eating 30 pieces—his colleagues helped him out with the last 17 he was on the hook for—“I felt very bloated,” he said, “like I needed 12 glasses of water.” Last year, Farshchi took the classic whipped-cream pie to the face for every $50 donor. This year, he’ll take a shot of hot sauce for every $50 donor. “The first half might be fun, the second half is going to have some tears or some sweating,” Farshchi said.
Mighty Sound of Maryland (MSOM)
Over the past two years, UMD’s marching band raised enough money to buy 12 new tubas, focusing on one of the band’s most expensive instruments. This year, the band has a broader goal, hoping to up its supply of clarinets and saxophones, harnesses for the drum line and equipment for the baton twirlers and color guard. “We start strategizing about Giving Day in the fall,” said MSOM Director Andrea E. Brown. “It’s a big day for us.” This year, MSOM is using a Western theme for its Giving Day social media efforts, with “Wanted” posters seeking donors. “Giving Day makes a huge difference, and we’re extremely grateful for the folks that participate,” said Brown.
Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education (OMSE)
Giving Day is a high-energy phone-a-thon in the office, where students, alumni, parents and caretakers come together to raise money to support OMSE’s programming. “It’s a really wonderful time,” said OMSE Director Christopher Lester. “It’s about raising funds, but really it’s about building community and engaging across all of our programs in OMSE and all of our constituents.” Testudo always stops by the OMSE office to check out the goings-on, and breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided for volunteers. “We have a great time on Giving Day with the friendly competition to see how our other units on campus are doing, and to support them and cheer them on in the work they’re doing,” said Lester.
Maryland Hillel
By night on Giving Day, the hub for Jewish students on campus has turned into an annual shindig to raise funds for their programming. For a $10 entry fee that serves as their gift, students get access to an overflowing dessert bar, mocktails, a raffle and more. Throughout the day, student groups “are really involved” in the fundraising effort, said Leah Bregman, development associate at Maryland Hillel. “Some of them host their own call-a-thons or join us at Hillel for the ones we’re doing.” Giving Day has become its biggest philanthropic opportunity of the year. “We don’t get that (support) on any other day or campaign,” said Bregman.
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