The University of Georgia’s annual giving day, Dawg Day of Giving, set a single-day giving record for the third year in a row with 11,711 donations made by 11:59 p.m. on March 26.
Dawg Day of Giving gifts cumulatively contributed over $13.8 million to schools, colleges, departments and programs all over campus.
“My gratitude to our donors for this outpouring of support cannot be overstated,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Every year, Dawg Day of Giving reaffirms that UGA is backed by a vast and deeply committed network of alumni and friends. They are responsible for so much of what makes this institution great, and they continue to propel us to new heights in all that we do.”
The university’s goal for the day was 10,000 gifts. Last year’s Dawg Day of Giving set a record with 11,091 gifts, but this year’s effort passed that mark between 10-11 p.m. Athens time.
Each of UGA’s 19 schools and colleges received donations, and even the new School of Medicine benefited from the day. More than $3.7 million was donated in support of the school’s new facility, which will be located on UGA’s Health Sciences Campus.
Hairy Dawg and Chuck Kinnebrew, UGA Alumni Association board member, joined the Dawg Day of Giving event at Tate Student Center on March 26. (Photo by Justin Evans)
“Days like this are why it’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog,” said Jill Walton, vice president for development and alumni relations. “The results of this year’s Dawg Day of Giving will be felt for a long, long time in scholarships, in study away trips, in new equipment and facilities, in all the ways that we strive to better serve our students, our state and our world.”
Donors hailed from all 50 states and six countries. The day spurred Bulldogs to action all over the university, including a large event in Tate Plaza, and across the country: 16 alumni chapters held events in cities from New York to southern California. Notable alumni like UGA Head Football Coach Kirby Smart, UGA Alumni Association President Lee Zell and 11Alive News Anchor Jennifer Bellamy also lent their support to the effort.
Giving challenges were a feature throughout the day, incentivizing donors to contribute by unlocking additional funds for UGA once a donation goal was met. By day’s end, fulfilled challenges had added $122,500 in funding to a variety of UGA areas.
Some challenges were geared toward specific populations such as young alumni or faculty and staff. Others encouraged campus groups to participate in Dawg Day of Giving, and some rewarded specific giving within a single hour.
Students were another big winner on Dawg Day of Giving. They surpassed their challenge goal with over 800 student gifts, unlocking $5,000 for the Destination Dawgs program, which supports students with intellectual disabilities.
Those unable to donate on Dawg Day of Giving can still make a difference at UGA. Visit givingday.uga.edu to make a gift, learn more about the day and see leaderboards for a variety of giving categories.
