By Rayelee McFee
野狼社区 University鈥檚 Giving Day has transformed into a vibrant celebration of community, philanthropy and leadership. #TrueBlueOCU Giving Day, originally launched in 2020, has created an engaging platform for alums, students and supporters alike to come together for a focused 24-hour fundraising effort. Over the past five years, this initiative has seen remarkable growth in participation and impact, evolving from a few hundred donors to more than 1,200 enthusiastic supporters this past year alone. Giving Day not only continues to exceed fundraising goals but also leads to stronger connections among students, faculty, staff, alums and the broader OCU community.
OCU鈥檚 inaugural #TrueBlueOCU Giving Day was held on April 9, 2020, set against the unprecedented backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges of lockdowns and social distancing, OCU successfully mobilized its community through a fully virtual event, demonstrating the resilience and dedication of its supporters during a time when we needed connection most. Within 24 hours, the university raised more than $200,000 to support critical campus resources and student scholarships, with additional funds generated through engaging challenges and matching contributions.
鈥淲hen I began working at OCU my first objective was to grow the volunteer base and make Giving Day an engaging experience,鈥� recalled Koby Harrington, vice president of university advancement. 鈥淲e started out with three goals including, awareness, acquisition and fun. We are so fortunate to have so many alums and supporters play an active role in this effort.鈥� #TrueBlueOCU Giving Day stands as a powerful testament to the university's commitment to creating enhanced educational opportunities and fostering a culture of philanthropy and leadership.
Each year has introduced new opportunities to innovate, and the focused 24-hour push sparks a wave of creative ideas, including campus events, celebrations, incentives for participants and special challenges. Among these, the annual dean鈥檚 challenge stands out as one of the most competitive and original. Deans from each school not only help lead fundraising efforts but are also willing to participate in unique activities to support their respective excellence funds. Last year鈥檚 highlight was the deans鈥� canvas clash, a friendly competition to see which dean could raise the most for their school鈥檚 excellence fund. Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment Dean Melanie Shelley took first place with her award-winning painting of Starsky, and 201 donors raised a total of $76,709 for the school. 鈥淕iving Day is more than an exercise in fundraising.鈥疘t is a way to connect with alumni, friends of the university, current students and parents,鈥� expressed Shelley. 鈥淚t inspires us to continue doing great work to honor legacies and move OCU into the future. I love connecting with everyone who participates.鈥�
These strategic shifts have resulted in a remarkable increase in engagement and support, with Giving Day 2024 marking the biggest year yet. More than 1,200 individuals contributed, raising nearly half a million dollars鈥攁 46.3% increase over 2023. This year also introduced the Regional Alumni Chapter Challenge and welcomed back the Greek Life Challenge, allowing alumni in major cities across the globe to create connections through contributing. For the second year in a row, Kappa Sigma claimed victory in the Greek challenge, raising $4,500. Additionally, 63 dedicated OCU advocates worked together to rally their networks and generate engagement that translated directly into dollars raised, setting the stage for even greater success in the future. 鈥淏ecause of the commitment and involvement of alumni from across the globe and the participation of our OCU leadership, we have seen huge growth,鈥� said Harrington.
This day-long campaign not only makes a lasting impact by generating support for scholarships, vital programs and important resources that are imperative to the OCU experience, but also inspires creative ways to celebrate our shared history and achievements. Current students, alums and donors can share stories and forge meaningful connections that contribute to the overall success of the university. #TrueBlueOCU Giving Day embodies a spirit of creativity, leadership and, most importantly, fun, reaching across the campus and beyond to illuminate a bright future for both current and future generations of stars.
