COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The University of Maryland topped its Giving Day record again this year, raising $3,808,515 from 8,967 donors during its 10th annual philanthropy marathon.
That total—up from last year’s $3.75 million from 8,875 donors—will support scholarships, emergency funding, student groups, and academic units and programs across campus.
“To all of the champions, alums, students, faculty, staff, families and friends who made this Giving Day so special—thank you for making our annual tradition a huge success,” said UMD President Darryll J. Pines. “Together we are moving Maryland Fearlessly Forward.”
Donors, whose number also reached a new high, gave to 456 funds this year. Student contributions rose 24%, while parent and family donors gave 29% more than last year.
The A. James Clark School of Engineering led in dollars raised with $331,231, followed by Athletics with $317,302.35. Thirteen departments finished with totals over $100,000.
"To see our Giving Day efforts yield these results reinforces what we already know: Our Terp community shows up when asked and gives forward generously,” Vice President for University Relations Matt Hodge said. “It's always exciting to see the energy, creativity and fun that go into Giving Day all to benefit the University of Maryland."
To further promote the fundraising effort, hundreds of Terps posted the #GivingDayUMD hashtag across social media channels, with five randomly selected to earn an additional $200 for their fund of choice. Participants also earned extra cash by posting pictures of their favorite campus view, their worldwide Terp pride, or their pets or kids sporting UMD gear. The Mighty Sound of Maryland won three social media challenges, while the Office of Diversity and Inclusion won two, in addition to “power hour” victories for the most alum, parent and family, and student donors at specified times.
Matching funds from dozens of generous donors also helped bolster the effort with 53 matches and challenges generating $722,820.
Since its launch, UMD Giving Day has raised more than $16.5 million from the UMD community.