2021 MSU Giving Day

More than $340,000 was raised for campus organizations on MSU’s third annual Giving Day, hosted on Thursday, Feb. 17, and Friday, Feb. 18. The 29-hour online campaign aimed to raise money for multiple programs, causes and groups. 

There were a total of 55 projects and groups registered for the event. The top three projects (by total donations) were Students Against Sexual Assault, Sociology and Anthropology and the MSU Leadership Institute. In addition to their donations, each organization also received a special $500 bonus for having the highest amount in contributions.

The Giving Day event included additional ways for organizations to earn donations through incentives and challenges. Organizations were given a reward for having the most individual donors during specific hours of the celebration. President Cruzado also matched all gifts to MSU’s All Staff Scholarship, donating a total of $2,500.

Computer and phone screens backgrounds as well as social media graphics were provided on the Giving Day website for those who wanted to promote the event. “We embraced the idea that anyone was an influencer for Giving Day,” Samantha Patton, the associate director of the annual fund at the MSU Alumni Foundation, said. “You didn’t have to be a part of a team or a previous donor to share the messages of MSU Giving Day, all you had to do was use our tools and share.”

The two most creative social media posts using the hashtag #MSUBoundless were awarded $50 to donate to the project of their choice. The winners of this challenge were the Library Wi-Fi Hot Spot Lending Program and Bobcat Athletics.

“This year we felt the excitement of the team’s on Giving Day,” Patton said. “In years past we have had excitement and buzz around the 29 hours but this year felt different. After two years, teams knew what to expect and how to prepare in advance. We also saw a lot more online social media content this year, which was a great way to spread the different projects.”

For a full list of programs included in the celebration and their total donation amount, visit https://givingday.montana.edu/pages/challenges-2071.