U-M Donors Turn Giving Tuesday into Giving Blueday

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of Michigan began Giving Blueday at midnight on December 2^nd with the ambitious goal of raising $1 million from 1,000 people. Michigan donors exceeded all expectations - they eclipsed the stated goals by 1pm.

In total 5,437 donors contributed a total of $3,252,309 to the University of Michigan in twenty-four hours.

"Our biggest online giving day of the year is usually December 31^st. Today, our donors contributed multiples of that total," noted Vice President for Development Jerry May. 

"U-M academic units in Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint, participated. In addition, more than 70 student organizations participated in Giving Blueday to generate contributions for causes that were important to them. Students gave, and they were powerful advocates," May continued. 

While the vast majority of the gifts were in the $5-150 range, a few dozen donors were so impressed by the wide participation, they made larger gifts – one being $350,000; another matching all student gifts up to a total of $30,000. Many of these are first-time donors to the University who realize that there are many special aspects of the Michigan experience made possible by philanthropy.  

In addition to the fundraising, more than 1000 students celebrated the day and their favorite U-M causes at locations across campus. Olympic ice skating gold medalists Charlie White and Meryl Davis greeted students on the Diag and showed their support; College of Engineering Dean Dave Munson greeted students at Pierpont Commons on North Campus. 

U-M President Mark Schlissel encouraged participation with posts to his Twitter feed, including one which read "I made my donation #GoBlue have you? Support the University & programs you care most about today at #GivingBlueDay.org!"

"The response from donors was overwhelmingly positive," observed Jerry May. "People realize that there are many unique aspects of the Michigan experience that are made possible by philanthropy.  We thank them for choosing to participate and make those things possible."

Contact: Judy Malcolm [email protected] 734.649.2573

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/u-m-donors-turn-giving-tuesday-into-giving-blueday-300003983.html

SOURCE University of Michigan

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