University of Georgia supporters set a single-day giving record for the second consecutive year when donors made 11,091 gifts to the university during UGA’s Dawg Day of Giving on March 30.
President Jere W. Morehead (center) attends the 2023 Dawg Day of Giving event at Tate Plaza. (Photo by Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
“I am grateful to our amazing donors for their support on Dawg Day of Giving,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “We owe so much of our success to their strong and steadfast commitment to UGA’s progress. This outpouring of support will elevate our students, our university and our state for years to come.”
UGA’s goal for the day was 10,000 gifts—after reaching 9,339 gifts on last year’s giving day—and donors surpassed that mark around 10:45 p.m. EST. Gifts totaled $5.6 million, and donors hailed from all 50 states.
President Jere W. Morehead (far right), UGA staff and students attend the 2023 Dawg Day of Giving event at Tate Plaza. (Photo by Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
“I hope that every donor who contributed yesterday—whether they gave $5 or $500—understands the enormity of this day and their role in it,” said Kelly Kerner, UGA vice president for development and alumni relations. “This one day will impact Georgia for generations through scholarship support, enhanced campus resources and greater access to educational opportunities, and it’s all because of the Bulldog Nation.”
Giving challenges were a feature throughout the day, incentivizing donors to contribute by unlocking additional funds for UGA once a donation goal was met. Some challenges were open to all donors, while others looked for donations to a specific fund or from a specific audience, such as students, who surpassed their challenge goal with 1,264 donors. Schools and colleges also competed with one another for the most gifts to their area to unlock additional donations. Fulfilled challenges resulted in more than $100,000 in additional funding.
President Jere W. Morehead talks with a student at the 2023 Dawg Day of Giving event at Tate Plaza. (Photo by Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
Notable Bulldogs and friends of the university helped promote Dawg Day of Giving, including head football coach Kirby Smart, Southern Living producer Ivy Odom Aponte and Atlanta meteorologist Chris Holcomb. Dawg Day of Giving events on campus energized students, faculty and staff, and more than two dozen UGA Alumni Association chapter events spurred donations from New York, San Diego, Chicago and elsewhere across the country.
“When we talk about the power of Bulldog Nation, this is precisely what we mean,” said Yvette Daniels, president of the UGA Alumni Association. “The unity and devotion this university inspires came to life in a beautiful way for Dawg Day of Giving. I am always proud to be a Bulldog, but especially so today.”
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.