The Terrier Trivia Trolley gave students the chance to earn bonus funds by answering questions about BU history and lore during Boston University’s ninth annual Giving Day, April 11, 2023. Photo by Dana J. Quigley

GIVING DAY

2023 BU Giving Day Raises More Than $3.8 Million

One-day fundraising drive breaks records for total amount raised and number of donors

Boston University’s ninth Giving Day brought in more than $3.8 million from more than 12,000 donors, supporting more than 450 causes across campus. Gifts came from all 50 states, and from 48 countries, on Tuesday, April 11.

“We’re thrilled not only with the record-breaking dollar total, but also with the record-breaking number of Giving Day donors,” says Kellie Sullivan, BU’s senior director of annual giving. “That really demonstrates the loyalty and enthusiasm of the Terrier community.”

With 64 challenge matches from 267 generous donors, eligible groups gained more than $1.2 million in additional funds during the annual one-day fundraising drive. Among the highlights:

• Men’s Water Polo Club won two hourly challenges, securing an extra $2,500.
• The Barbell Club took top honors in the “Most Improved” category.
• BU Academy won the Early Bird Challenge and placed second on the Schools and Colleges Leaderboard.

Key to the day’s success was the new Giving Day ambassadors program. Nearly 300 supporters signed up as ambassadors, promising to reach out to their family and friends to support a particular cause. Each ambassador received a unique link to share and could track their success on the Ambassador Leaderboard. At day’s end, John Quackenbush, parent of a BU Academy junior, came out on top, with more than $17,000 given by his network.

“Our ambassadors really came through for Giving Day,” says Erika N. Jordan, BU vice president for alumni engagement. “Their hard work and high energy yielded great results, including many new donors—who we hope will now become lifelong supporters of BU!”

A point system for different ways of participating in on-campus events enabled students to raise extra funds for their favorite clubs and organizations. At the cash cube in the George Sherman Union, for instance, grabbing $1 to $5 in fake bills garnered 100 points, and anyone who caught more than $5 earned 200 points.

Students could also get points by answering questions on the Terrier Trivia Trolley—a golf cart that toured the campus while testing knowledge of all things BU. (Sample question: How many Beanpot championships has BU won? Answer: 32.) Supporters of the BU Running Club gained the most points for their cause from the day’s on-campus events.

A BU Academy offering proved especially popular: Every BUA student who wrote a thank-you card to a donor received a free dumpling. By day’s end, BUA had handed out almost 200 dumplings, says Elisha Meyer, BUA’s associate director of institutional advancement—“almost one per every student in our school!”

Adding to the festive atmosphere, there were food trucks, free cookies, and plenty of free BU-themed swag on hand at Marsh Plaza, the GSU, and other spots around campus.

“Building students’ awareness of the day and making it easy for them to participate was really important to us this year,” says Scott Graham, BU’s executive director of annual giving, “especially because student clubs and organizations were one of our top priorities.”

All gifts made from midnight EDT to midnight PDT on Tuesday, April 11, counted toward the Giving Day total. Gifts included more than 550 of $1,000 or more, with 66 of those being $10,000-plus donations. More results, leaderboards for various funds and ambassadors, and other highlights are available here.