The global day of generosity launched in 2012 on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving known as GivingTuesday continues to grow among Oglethorpe University alumni and friends. This year, a record number of donors contributed a record amount to the university beating the previous highwater marks set last year.
On Dec. 3, Oglethorpe received gifts totaling more than $25,000 from 64 donors, including alumni, parents of alumni, trustees, emeritus trustees, members of the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art Advisory Board, faculty, staff, retirees, and even current students.
“There are several key points during the year when we make a special effort to thank our donors and ask people to support our mission, and thanks to our loyal donors, GivingTuesday has become an important day for us.”
Gifts were made to Oglethorpe’s new Areas to Support, which allow donors to invest in areas of the university that best align with their passions. The most popular funds were the Oglethorpe Fund, Scholarship Support Fund and Stormy Petrels Booster Club. Donors also supported other important university initiatives, such as Oglethorpe OutLoud and the First-Generation Student Scholarship Fund. Students graduating this year contributed $110 toward their Seniors for Students campaign for the Housing Scholarship at Oglethorpe.
The effort was aided by 13 individuals who volunteered to serve as social media ambassadors. They played a crucial role in spreading the word about GivingTuesday and encouraging others to invest in Oglethorpe by sharing the campaign with their networks.
“It was so much fun to see our social media ambassadors posting on their accounts and spreading the word,” said Sarah Emerson, Oglethorpe’s vice president of Advancement. “Thank you to all who made a gift on GivingTuesday. It means so much to the students who are able to earn an Oglethorpe degree because of scholarships and other forms of financial aid.”
For those who missed GivingTuesday,it’s not too late to make a difference before the end of the year.
“There’s still time,” Emerson said. “If you haven’t made a gift yet in 2024, you can reach out online or contact us to receive the tax deduction for this year.”
The next push for giving will be coming Feb. 12, 2025, for OU Giving Day, which coincides with Oglethorpe Day—the university’s annual founder’s day celebration—on campus.
Give online or contact the Office of Advancement at (800) 428-4484 to learn about additional ways to give. All mailed gifts and correspondence should be addressed to Oglethorpe University, Office of Advancement, 4484 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30319.
