Members of the University of Michigan community are invited to support the university programs and causes they most care about for Giving Blueday, U-M’s annual day of giving, on March 15.
Donors can find causes and make a gift through the Giving Blueday website, where they can also watch real-time updates, volunteer to become a Champion, and learn about more ways to help get the word out.
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Gifts of any size are encouraged to support initiatives, organizations and projects benefiting the arts, research, students, sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion, and more at U-M campuses and Michigan Medicine.
“Giving Blueday is a true team effort that underscores the passion of our global community and the impact we can make when we work together,” said Tom Baird, vice president for development. “I’m amazed each year by the outpouring of support, and what it says about our university and its supporters.”
On Giving Blueday 2022, more than 9,200 donors gave in excess of $4.2 million to U-M. For programs and organizations like Wolverine Pathways and Michigan Mock Trial, the turnout is about more than raising funds. Both exceeded their goals for the day last year, thanks to many donors pitching in.
Established in 2016, Wolverine Pathways is a free college and career readiness program for high school students from underresourced communities in southeast Michigan. Director Carla O’Connor said efforts like Giving Blueday have helped the program and its work become fully integrated at U-M.
“We were humbled by the degree of interest and support,” O’Connor said. “We are excited to see that people know every dollar counts — a gift of $10 matters, as does a gift of hundreds of dollars. It’s amazing that such a wide sweep of people understand that their gifts make a difference.”
Michigan Mock Trial fundraising chairperson Roni Kane said crowdfunding on Giving Blueday helps the student organization pay fees and travel costs to attend competitions. The competitive speech team participates in simulated court trials as far away as Boston and has expanded into outreach efforts connecting the local legal community with students.
“The money is great, and we definitely need it, but it’s also great to see the network of support, and that our alumni, parents and supporters in general continue to be invested in what we do,” Kane said.
On Giving Blueday, gifts can also get a boost with more than $200,000 in matches and daylong and hourly challenges available for students, first-time donors, faculty and staff, and more. Last year, Wolverine Pathways was able to match donations one-to-one, thanks to a match provided by Daryl and Dana Kenningham.
“Matching gifts are really powerful because not only are we able to double any gift, but they really show faith in our programming as well as in the potential for others to contribute aggressively to our efforts,” O’Connor said.
Those who sign up to be a Champion will have the opportunity to earn rewards, including an additional $2,000 for the cause of their choice and a pair of limited-edition Giving Blueday socks for themselves.
