BU Giving Day Breaks Records
More than $3.25 million raised by 11,886 community members to support BU programs
Mary Milad (CAS’19) (from left), Polen Ural (Sargent’19), Dera Silvestre (COM’19), and Jacob Wittenberg (CAS’21, COM’21)
at the Giving Day Carnival at the George Sherman Union. Photo by Dan Watkins
ON APRIL 3, 2019, the BU community celebrated its sixth annual Giving Day—a 24-hour fundraising drive that saw 11,886 alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends raise over $3.25 million. Donors from 48 states and 50 countries supported 400 areas at BU, including research, student life, athletics, and the 17 schools and colleges.
“On Giving Day, every person can make a difference for the cause at BU that matters most to them. It’s been so rewarding to be part of the effort and see our collective impact,” says Class Gift cochair Polen Ural (Sargent’19).
Special challenges sponsored by generous alumni and parents added excitement to the day. By giving to their favorite cause, donors helped those programs earn a share of $1 million in prize money. Among the highlights:
- The student clubs with the most donors earned a share of $5,000, sponsored by the University’s Young Alumni Council. The dance group Sabor Latino BU took home the top prize of $1,000.
- CAS, Questrom, LAW, ENG, and CFA each raised more than $100,000 on Giving Day; SPH, COM, Pardee, MET, and CGS beat their 2018 gift records.
- Varsity athletics had another record-breaking year, raising $1.3 million from 3,792 donors, led by Athletics Giving Day chair Charley Lax (Questrom’82). Men’s rowing raised more than $270,000 and, along with women’s lightweight rowing, secured the most donors.
“As an alumna and a volunteer, I’m fortunate to see firsthand the impact that philanthropy has on BU,” says Denise M. Schier (ENG’81), chair of the BU Alumni Council development committee. “Giving Day is a celebration of that impact. It’s incredible to see thousands of people support the BU causes that matter to us.”
Giving Day ended at midnight, April 3, 2019, but donors can still make a gift at bu.edu/give. All gifts count toward the Campaign for Boston University, BU’s historic, record-breaking fundraising campaign.
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